Sports
Using Sports to Beat Stress
By
Mar 13, 2009 - 10:23:43 AM

(HealthNewsDigest.com) - We certainly are living in challenging times. The unstable economy, the depressed housing market, and the rising unemployment rates have significantly increased the stress levels for the vast majority of people. While it would be nice to combat stress with a visit to a toney spa or a massage therapist, most of us are unable to take advantage of these luxuries because of the high costs they carry.

There is good news for those of us who can’t afford to pamper ourselves during these troubles times and it doesn’t require a second mortgage. Research has documented and practitioners in the field of sports and health psychology agree that one of the best ways to cope with stress more effectively and cost efficiently is to exercise and engage in sports activities on a consistent basis. The type of exercise activities that provide the most benefit would be either aerobic exercise like walking, running, and tennis, or strength training exercise such as weight lifting, palliates, or power yoga on a regular basis. Just twenty minutes a day can do wonders and doesn’t break the bank or require a huge time commitment.

The physical benefits of exercise that enable us to cope with stress better include the release of various neurochemicals during these activities. Two of the more popular types of these are serotonin and endorphins. Serotonin is associated with an increase in confidence and well being. It is a chemical that helps us be content and seems to help keep our moods under control by assisting with sleep, calming anxiety, and relieving depression. Endorphins are the body’s painkiller molecule, basically your body’s natural morphine. Many will describe the release of endorphins from exercise as a natural high and one of the best stress relief therapies known to man. In addition to helping us cope with stress, and a better night’s sleep, other physical benefits of exercise are a stronger heart and more energy reserves.

The cognitive benefits associated with consistent exercise are an increase in concentration, a longer attention span, and keener convergent and divergent thinking skills. All these can come in handy as we need to work smarter and longer hours in order to make ends meet. Increased attention and concentration levels can make us more efficient and productive at our work and help us to keep our levels of frustration at bay.

Let’s not overlook there are important emotional benefits coupled with participating in sports activities. For example, playing team sports provides us with a sense of belonging and camaraderie with colleagues during times when it is so easy to feel alone. Additionally, it can lower levels of anxiety and depression, and offer us an increase in optimism. These byproducts of exercise are crucial in coping with the current economic climate. Retaining a strong sense of optimism correlates to dealing with stress safely and more effectively.

These guidelines can make the process of dealing with stress simpler and easier. The key is exercising on a consistent basis (twenty minutes most days of the week). There are plenty of options, so select the activities that best fits your personality, your schedule and your needs. After all, creating a fitness program is meant to relieve stress not create more!!! The best of luck and continued success in these challenging times.

Cory Bank, Ph.D., is the founder of the Abington Center for Therapy and Sports Psychology (www.abingtonpsychology.com). Dr. Bank specializes in individual therapy with children, adolescents, and adults including sports psychology, adjustment issues, relationship issues, school issues, and stress management.

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