by Lynda Lampert

Created on: November 13, 2008   Last Updated: November 26, 2008

Admit it - you're ready to pull your hair out with the stress from your job, your kids, your spouse, your parents, your car, your hair . . . well, you see how it is. Now you hear that stress can be helped by exercise, but you can't see how adding another "should" to you life is going to help. Once you hear the way exercise helps stress, you will religiously guard this vital habit.

Stress relief hormones

When your body is in motion, 1500 vital neurochemcial changes happen. These changes increase your feelings of well being and help to flush the fight or flight hormones from your system. Merely getting your heart rate up - even for ten minutes - is enough to activate these biochemical effects and boost your mood. Some research has shown that exercise is nearly as good as medications for mild depression.

Get away from it all

Sometimes you just need a time and place all for yourself. Exercise is an activity that you can do for you alone. No one else has to participate unless you want them to. The repetitive activity most exercise entails also helps the mind go into a meditative, relaxed state. This reduces stress by allowing your mind to dwell elsewhere and forget the things causing you stress in the first place.

Outlet for pent up feelings

Exercises such as kickboxing and tennis can help you get your aggression out. Punching and whacking are a great way to mentally take your boss's head off without getting thrown in jail. Just be careful that the aggression doesn't carry over into life outside of exercise.

Increased feelings of self worth

Doing something for yourself that you know will make you better is an incredible boost for self worth. Only people that are worth the effort are worth the time. Building a better, more fit body also helps you feel good about how you look. The ability to walk without getting winded and a decrease in joint pain will help ease the physical stress you are under and increase the regard you have for yourself and your body.

Help with sleeping

Tired people sleep. Simple. If you are an insomniac, exercising may help you nod off at night. Sleep has been shown to help with depression, anxiety, and most stress related moods. Lack of sleep keeps you from performing at work and home to your highest level. Stress and sleep go hand in hand. If you are tired enough from exercise, you just might be able to sleep at night. Be careful, though: exercising before bed can wake you up and prevent sleeping. Try to exercise a few hours before bedtime to allow your body to relax.

Fitness to combat disease

A fit body is a healthy body. As you become fit from exercising, your body develops the ability to fight off infections. Also with increased muscle tone and lack of weight, the stress of keeping your body in motion decreases. Your reflexes will become better and you will be able to prevent muscle strains because your muscles are conditioned. It is a win-win situation for you and your body.

Exercise doesn't necessarily mean plugging away on a treadmill. Sports and exercise tapes can also be a great source of physical activity. The important part is to find an activity that you like. Don't settle for a treadmill because you think that's the best. Play soccer if it excites you or join a gym and meet some new people. The stress will melt away and you'll have a healthier body. There is no downside to exercise.

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