Exercise for Stress Management

As we turn the corner into the holiday season do you feel like you need to give some extra care to your stress levels and overall mental health? This year more than ever, those of us that crave social interactions are being asked to distance from social interaction. At the same time those of us who enjoy solitude may find social anxiety peak with every interaction. If you have been following our Benefits of Rebounding series, you would know how easy it is to find balance in mind and body simply by spending a short amount of time on your JumpSport Fitness Trampoline. So how does a little aerobic exercise go a long way when it comes to health and wellness? Exercise for mental health is different for everyone, but there are easy habits to form to build into your daily routine.

How Aerobic Exercise and the Chemical Brain Work

The mental health benefits of exercising on a JumpSport happen on a neurochemical basis. This means there is a chemical process that occurs in nerve tissue and the nervous system, for example lowering stress hormones in the body such as adrenaline and cortisol. The Harvard Medical School reports, “[Aerobic exercise] stimulates the production of endorphins, chemicals in the brain that are the body's natural painkillers and mood elevators. Endorphins are responsible for the "runner's high" and for the feelings of relaxation and optimism.”

For those who experience depression, rebounding can boost your endorphins and your mood while detoxifying your system. Even on days when it’s hard to start your day, just 10 minutes of time on your JumpSport can improve your mood and energy levels significantly. 

Break the Stress Cycle with Bounce

Those of us who experience the vicious cycle of stress know that the emotional and physical imbalance and anxiety feed each other to cause absolute strife to both mind and body. Mental symptoms can range from worry and irritability to restlessness and insomnia, anger and hostility, or sensations of dread, foreboding, and even panic. This mental stress can then cause physical symptoms with all parts of the body from muscles and skin reactions to intestinal symptoms and a pounding pulse. Extreme cases may experience rapid breathing or hyperventilation and even fainting.

The physical symptoms of stress alone are stressful! Jackson, Erica M. Ph.D. of the ACSM’s Health & Fitness Journal states, “Individuals who experience acute episodic or chronic stress are at increased risk for developing stress-related health problems. Research supports the idea that exercise can improve the way the body handles stress, and it can provide a time-out from stressors.”

Since the root cause of stress is emotional, it’s important to know what your triggers are and modify your behavior. Sometimes the hardest thing for a person is to simply get out of bed in the morning. That thought or inaction alone can be a trigger. So how do we eliminate that trigger? We change our behavior. We do that by having something we know is fun to motivate us to start our day with movement.

What Movement Works For You?

Diversity in movement is a good thing. It keeps each day interesting, new, and fresh. Some people work very well with a regular regimented routine, but others need variety. 

Be Confident In Your New Habit

There may be days when your emotions try to tell you to give up on forming your new habit of daily exercise, so it’s important to find the support you need to stick with your new normal. Rebounding on a JumpSport is fun and it’s hard to do without a smile. It brings back familiar feelings of freedom and weightlessness that start your morning or afternoon with newfound mood-boosting joy.

“If you're not an athlete or even if you're out of shape, you can still make a little exercise go a long way toward stress management.” The Mayo Clinic reports, “Whatever you do, don't think of exercise as just one more thing on your to-do list. Find an activity you enjoy...and make it part of your regular routine.”

No matter what you decide to do, remember that physical exercise, especially a low impact aerobic variety can help you unwind, de-stress, and boost your mood any time of day.