27/02/2024
Let’s talk STRESS!
How do you define stress? Are you aware of the effect (negative or positive) stress has on your health?
The WHO defines stress as “a state of worry or mental tension caused by a difficult situation” (World Health Organization, February 21, 2023) and the APA defines it an “emotional response to an external trigger” (American Psychological Association, August 24, 2023).
The body regulates stress through feedback loops utilizing two branches of the nervous system - Sympathetic (fight*flight*freeze*) and
- Parasympathetic (feed*, breed* rest*,digest*). In the sympathetic response the brain senses a threat and the response is increased adrenaline and cortisol levels. Conversely, in a parasympathetic response the body is in a ‘rest and digest’ state with an increase in testosterone and estrogen which actually triggers a ‘rebuild’ response in the body.
So you may ask, why is this significant with regard to your fitness and nutrition success? Well, awareness and a conscious response. Life is stressful, no way around that. Our response and choice of action or inaction in response to that stress is where all the difference is made.
Application of strategies to manage stress can be journaling, meditation, prayer, breathing exercises, distraction, thought restructuring, good nutrition choices and YES - PHYSICAL ACTIVITY!
So what about GOOD STRESS? Increased heart rate through methodical cardiovascular training is good stress - weight training is good stress that benefits muscle and bone growth. Check out this article from Mayo Clinic (QR Code) which is a short list of the physical and mental benefits from participating in regular exercise and movement.
Message me and let’s talk about investing in yourself with a sound exercise and nutrition program built just for you.
