PJEndicott

Exercise:
We are all aware of the benefits of exercise. Physical exercise is known to elicit the Relaxation Response – the opposite of the Stress Response. Slow, deep and restful breathing also brings about relaxation.

The British Heart Foundation recommends that we should carry out some form of exercise for 30 minutes, and we should do this five times each week.
There are many ways to exercise but there are a number of key points if you wish to get the best out of it:

• Heart rate needs to be raised above the normal level and we need to sweat slightly.
• We need to enjoy what we are doing, otherwise it is hard to become motivated enough to take part. Choose your form of exercise wisely and don't get stuck in a rut of using just one form.
• Exercising with friends is good as they will encourage you to go along even when you really just want to chill out at home.
• Don't fall into the trap of thinking exercise = sports as there are many other ways of getting fit; gardening, walking to the shops, and dancing all count!

Exercise – the options are endless!

This is an exercise in itself! It really helps to have a whole range of ideas so that you can swap from one form to another when you feel that you need a change, or as the weather dictates - it's no fun going walking in the rain.

Try listing the letters of the alphabet on a sheet of paper and then writing down at least one form of exercise for each letter. Please note: 'x-ercise' does not count for 'X'! Select one or two to try in the next week and then move on to others until you find something you really enjoy doing. You will be surprised at how many ideas come to mind when you engage your creative thinking powers!

Combine exercise with relaxation!
Some forms of exercise are excellent for promoting physical fitness and relaxation at the same time. Yoga, Pilates and Tai Chi all combine physical exercise combined with a distinct breathing pattern. When one has to concentrate on both breathing and moving at the same time the poor brain has little capacity available for worrying about life’s problems. Hence these forms of exercise are not only excellent for fitness and relaxation but can also function as effective stress management techniques.