Posts Tagged ‘exercise to relieve stress’

Stress is part of our daily routine.  Whether it’s work or personal, everyone needs a healthy outlet for stress relief.  Too often, your day becomes so hectic that you get lost in it.  You let everything overwhelm you at times that you just don’t want to deal with anything at the end of the day except going home to bed and sleep.  One day becomes another and then the next thing you know, it’s the end of the week and you have no idea where your week went.  Sound familiar?

This is especially true for busy New Yorkers.  There is never enough time for everything and there is always something to be done, but where do you draw the line?  Is your health or mental well being suffering because you are not managing your stress well? The environment in the city can be over consuming at times that you can easily get sucked in.  Long hours, tough competition and the need to excel is imbedded in our minds as we want to succeed and become the best that we can be.  Time management always seems to be an issue but somehow we get it done.  The question is, at what cost?  If your physical and mental well being are suffering, this is simply no good in the long run.

I encounter people all the time who give every excuse in the book as to why they don’t have time to take care of themselves.  Some are mothers raising families, others are extreme workaholics, while others have crazy schedules.  There are no shortages of excuses.  Being healthy is a lifestyle and should be mandatory for your well being.  This doesn’t mean you need to be at the gym 5 days a week or run a marathon.  It means you should make an effort to do what your capabilities allow you to.  I know many mothers with kids who exercise before their kids wake up, or have someone watch their children for an hour while they go and decompress while other moms take their baby with them for a run.

Those of you who have a hectic work hours can find the time somewhere along the line to incorporate some exercise in the week. You have 7 days to work with and I don’t believe you cannot find 2 or 3 days to take care of your health.  How important is your life to you?  You may be able to neglect yourself while you’re younger but it will all eventually catch up to you.  You will get worn out and perhaps even become depressed, de-motivated or stuck in a rut you cannot escape.  This is not a healthy way of living. Learning to take care of yourself physically has a direct relationship to becoming more mentally stable in life.

You will become better equipped to handle your every day stress.  You will become more focused and much more balanced as you will have a healthy outlet to relieve your issues and problems of the day.  Of course, we will always have problems in our life.  It’s part of living, but how you handle your life can prolong your health. If you have time to socialize, drink and party, then you have time to fit in a few workouts a week.  You will burn extra calories, and do something good for both your mind and body as well as balancing your thoughts for the next day.

If the president, doctors, mothers, wall streeters, grad students, etc. all have time to exercise, then so do you.  You need to make the time however it fits into your schedule. The days you cannot exercise, you can stay on your feet as much as possible opting to walk everywhere  or take the stairs.  Just because you cannot attend a class or go to the gym does not mean all is in ruins.  Go for a run, a bike ride, or do something recreational.  Fitting in any time you have that day is better than nothing at all.  Along with proper nutrition, exercise helps to energize your mind as well as your body.  You will feel much better about yourself and your self-esteem will increase instead of feeling like a blob.

One of my biggest inspirations is my best friend who is a mother of two.  She had always made fitness a priority in her life and competed in bodybuilding for several years.  Competitive bodybuilding is a full time job in it of itself and requires complete dedication and devotion in order to succeed.  Along with raising a family and helping her husband with his business, this was definitely no easy feat.  I look up to her and admire her for her strength, courage and her discipline in doing what she needed to stay on track.

I am not asking you to go this route.  This is what worked for her.  You need to find what works for you.  There is always a way and if you want it badly enough, you will find a way to accomplish your goal.  Free your mind and start by changing your attitude.  You can always improve your lifestyle but you need to start from within.  Be fit for life and start by taking care of your health and mental wellness.  You will be happier and will feel much more fulfilled.

Those of you who are already living this lifestyle, continue to make improvements in the areas that are lacking.  If you are overworking and never have time for anything, you need to take a step back and breathe!  Smell the roses as they would say.  Take a day or weekend trip out of the city to refresh yourself.  If possible, take the time to travel.  It’s always great to get out of NYC every now and then so you don’t go crazy.  Take the time to enjoy your summer.  Go to a concert, a show, find new restaurants, participate in fun activities you wouldn’t normally do.  The world is yours.  It’s up to you to make things happen.

Just don’t get stuck.  Get out of your comfort zone and work on taking care of you.

Cindy Lai Fitness