Exercise has actually been prescribed to fight depression. The effects of endorphins released during exercise have been compared to antidepressants. Human beings are not designed to be sedentary, our body systems literally thrive on mechanical movement. Work life balance poses many difficulties for people in the age we are living. Stress, obesity, poor diet, and lack of exercise have been huge contributors to a rise in chronic disease, including sudden cardiac death. Self care quite often makes its way to the back burner, and that neglect has left generations of stress landing on our shoulders with no release.
When a person is stressed the body produces a hormone known as cortisol. Cortisol can be a friend with many positive attributes, I mean, the main purpose of the stress response is to get us out of danger. That initial rise, that burst of energy, rise in blood sugar, and increase in blood pressure is great, however, chronic stress and high levels of cortisol ALWAYS, has this hormone rearing its ugly head. Sustained cortisol has been linked to high blood pressure, diabetes, increased belly fat, brain changes affecting memory, depression, insomnia, and poor wound healing. To add insult to injury, that adipose tissue in the belly contains FOUR TIMES the number of cortisol receptors as fat cells in other areas.
So what can you do? How can you begin to release this stress, reduce the cortisol levels, and begin to see changes in your body and mind? It can be as simple as adding exercise. Your body is likely craving movement. In as little as 30 minutes, 3-4 days a week, resistance training, yoga, pilates, and even fast paced walking can transform the way your body deals with day to day stress.
Although exercise is great for stress management, combining exercise with nutrition, rest, and mental health practices is the ultimate way to transform health and wellness. Think of it as a chair with 4 legs, focus too much on one leg and balance becomes much more difficult. With four strong legs, things become much more sturdy.

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