Is excercise the key to managing stress?
The amount of regular excercise I get is the best way I can manage my stress level. I enjoy swimming and it allows me to relax and get out of my head. The life of a instructor can be stressful due to all the factors that you have to manage.( students, administration, homelife )
Marco, I enjoy swimming as well! It's such a great outlet, and so low impact too!
Dr. Melissa Read
I agree. I teach a split shift. In between my shifts I hit the pool and it makes me so much better for the eve classes; it is even necessary for me to remain positive and relaxed.
I find that exercise prior to going to work helps me prepare for the day's duties. I generally alternate between weight training and cardiovascular training. The shower afterward also helps me to "feel fresh" before I begin work.
Paul, Sounds like you have a wonderful schedule. Most instructors are not lucky enough to break up their days this way. It's great to be able to truly step back for an hour or so and relax.
Dr. Melissa Read
Craig, Sounds like you have come up with a routine that works really well for you. Some instructors are tempted to dive into work at the start of their days. I like the way you focus on you first. That likely sets a positive tone for the long hours that follow.
Dr. Melissa Read
Exercise is helpful, I agree. Beyond the reasons given so far, there is another reason why exercise is correlated with lower stress: in order to have time to exercise, one must have completed enough of one's work to be able to take a break. The feelings of having a moment to do something for oneself, and that thing being healthy, are great for relieving stress.
A good exercise regimen and the END of my day tends to help blow off some steam. When I am having a bad day I go to the gym, run a few miles and pump out some serious reps on some iron. Last term alone, I was able to increase my bench press max by 20 pounds in ten weeks. Needless to say, last term way pretty stressful, but I am able to turn that negative stress into positive energy with exercise.
I find that when I have had a particularly stressful day that exercising helps alleviate the muscle tension and sometimes even takes away a severe headache. Doing yoga is really beneficial for me because it makes me feel physically and emotionally healed.
There is so much evidence that exercise causes our body to perform better: increased blood flow to brain, better alertness, faster test scoring, improved attention span are a few examples. In addition to the improved balance because of the physical exertion that the body endures which relieves stress in muscle tissue, exercise improves self esteem (another factor in stress).
I tell my students to walk during their breaks. Tonight, for the first time in memory, I walked for the break. And felt quite refreshed!
Pilar, So glad to hear that you have this background, but more importantly, that you are sharing this information with your students. Taking a leadership role in stress management can help all those around you. This -in turn- often can make your environment less stressful overall.
Dr. Melissa Read
I agree that excersing assist in reducing stress. when I was going to gym after work, I felt so much better. It actualy gave me time to relax and the ability to reflect on the next day.
I agree. I recently made a decision to reduce stress and figured out a game plan for diet & exercise. It's hard to stick to a schedule but one I can manage. I feel better about work and personal life and plan on continuing with this regiment.
I enjoy to exercise as well. I think that it can help relax you and keep your mind clear.
This method is a superb way of modification. I have found that walking at a erapid pace also had benefirt when swimming is not an option
I think that exercise in any form is very helpful in managing stress. I for one use the form of walking at the park. I focus on my surroundings, watch all that I can and simply release my tensions and enjoy the calm.
