With the coronavirus still causing business shutdowns, quarantines, and remote work, some people may be feeling increased stress or depressive symptoms. 

Even without factoring in COVID-19, many people deal with stress related to work, relationships, family, and more. For those struggling with these problems, there are actionable changes you can make in your day-to-day life to help you deal with these issues and work to overcome them. 

One of the biggest changes you can make is starting to exercise. Working out can have incredible effects on  stress levels. It can help those struggling with workplaces stress, isolation related problems, and even addiction issues.

Benefits of Exercise on Stress 🏃‍♀️

Whether you are lifting weights, swimming, mountain biking, running, or simply walking around the neighbourhood, getting physically active can lead to major benefits on your physical and mental health.

Everyone gets stressed out from work or family, but taking a few minutes out of your day to focus on your health can reduce stress and tension.

Not only does exercise release feel-good chemicals in the body and brain, known as endorphins, which will help to improve mood and well-being, but exercise can also work as an effective meditative practice which will work to get your mind off stressful scenarios you are dealing with.

Simply giving your mind a break from these situations can be a helpful way to keep yourself ready for when new challenges present themselves.

3 Tips for Beginning Exercise

When it comes to exercise, many people have trouble with what they think is the hardest part – getting started.

When you are just starting out, it can be difficult to feel motivated -- even if you are aware of the many benefits. Here are a few tips to help you out:

1. Set a Date 📅

 If you are truly wanting to start getting physically active and exercising, pull out your phone, go to the calendar, and set a specific date. By calling out a day which you will make this actionable change it will help you stay on a schedule while also fully enjoying the lifestyle you are currently living before making the change.

2. Tell Your Friends 👯‍♂️

Telling your friends or family you are going to start going to the gym or going on runs regularly is a good method as they will often hold you accountable to these lifestyle changes and will check in on you to see how it is going. Furthermore, some friends may even ask to join you – this will help provide you with extra motivation and make exercising a social activity which may be more fun.

3. Start Slow 🚶

You don’t have to kick off your first day by running five miles and lifting an ungodly amount of weight. Work your way up. Nobody is keeping tabs on you in this regard. If you are worried about your performance, starting slow and building your strength and stamina is a great way to improve and become more dedicated to your exercise as you will notice and track your own improvements.

By following these methods, you will likely improve your chances of committing to your new healthy lifestyle and staying on course.

Exercise for Substance Abuse

Along with the numerous benefits which come from exercise as it relates to your physical and mental health, it can also help another group of people who are dealing with a major specific health problem: addiction.

More and more, rehab centers across the nation are recognizing the impact exercise can have in improving someone’s chances at long-term recovery. Whether the problem is related to opioid abuse or alcohol addiction, exercise remains a complementary form of treatment which can be beneficial for individuals during the recovery process and after they are discharged from a rehab facility.

If used along with other addiction treatment methods like talk therapy or mindfulness practices, exercise can be a vital aspect to an individual’s overall sobriety.

Whether you are dealing with COVID-19 related issues, workplace stress, or substance abuse problems, exercise is one of the biggest lifestyle changes you can make to increase your overall well-being and improve your physical and mental health outlook.

About the Author:

Joe Gilmore works for The Hope House, a luxury rehab in Scottsdale, Arizona dedicated to providing its clients with the highest form of care possible as they work to achieve long-term sobriety.

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