Stress! Whoa, what a feeling right now, right?
It seems like everyone is a little more stressed out right now than normal.
I get it, there is so much uncertainty. So much is up in the air about what is going to happen.
I mean I don’t think anyone could have anticipated the year that has been 2020, and I feel like most of us are just hoping that when the clock turns to midnight on December 31st, this nightmare will be over.
Unfortunately that’s not how it’s going to work.
Yes there are vaccines in the works, but we’re still months away from mass distribution.
So in the meantime, let’s talk about something we can do to help.
Working out.
I polled a few local Facebook groups a week ago, asking “what is your biggest struggle right now?”
The answer, stress.
So let’s break down how working out can help alleviate that stress that we’re all facing.
First off it helps to decrease stress hormones. Well that’s a great start. Working out can help to lower levels of adrenaline and cortisol, two hormones that are released when we’re stressed out or feel threatened. Two things I think a lot of us are too familiar with right now.
Secondly working out releases endorphins. Endorphins are another hormone that actually act as a pain reliever and mood booster, that second one is definitely something we could all use.
Furthermore, working out with other people releases another hormone called serotonin. Serotonin helps us feel connected and bonded with other people, and in a world of virtual meetings and social distancing, it is something that we drastically need.
The cool thing about working out with other people is that you can still do it while maintaining social distancing. Studies show that just by seeing other people in person, doing the same thing as you, can help release the hormone.
So I really hope you are doing something for yourself to help reduce that stress. Even if it’s not working out, maybe it’s baking or online shopping, I just recommend you do something a few times a week for you. That way we can all be a littler happier and healthier in these uncertain times.
