Run For Your Stress
Start writing a post
Health and Wellness

Run For Your Stress

Exercise does a mind and body good.

12
Run For Your Stress
Youtube

Exercise is crucial for physical and mental health. Nothing takes you out of your pain and troubles like fighting for your life! Exercise is the practice of the fight or flight relax that all of us have. Building muscle and pumping iron is training your body to punch and kick harder. Building your endurance, and stamina is training your body to run faster and run longer. Everything we have done to this point in our lives was training for the moment when the fight or flight reflex kicks in. The truth is as much as we have grown into people who have free thought, "functioning societies," conquered sea, air, and land, and ultimately rose to the top of the food chain we are still not that much better than humans we were in the beginning. But there is hope in that idea, that our biology dictates most of our lives.

So lets talk more about this fight or flight reflex. Back when we were purely hunters and gatherers we relied on pure instinct and strength. We lived as food nomads, searching for food and water to keep us alive. This survival instinct manifests itself when confronted with a beast, decision, or other stressor. These stresses were simple, physical, and straightforward. You either fight the bear or run. No more thought had to be placed then that. However, when we walked out of the caves and started to create societies we began to develop higher stresses. Anxiety, became something that people had to grapple with and typically never went well. We began to fight, compete, drink, and have a lot of sex to rid ourselves of some of these stresses. But all of those destressors boil down to fight or flight. Fighting & competition stem from fight, and drinking & sex stem from flight. However, unlike the simplicity in the fight or flight response for survival, most of the stressors of everyday life are internal.

So, you could be like the ancient Romans and do all of what is listed above...(side note: please get some help if you do all that!) That is pretty dangerous and unhealthy. It will likely end with you laid out on the street in an alley. So instead I propose getting the endorphin boost of these destressors with the added benefit of making you stronger and healthier. Exercise is the answer!

So instead of distracting yourself with more Netflix, go for a run. When want to hide in a ball in a corner, do some pushups. When you want to down a family size bag of Lays chips do it after a hearty workout. You can go to the gym, buy some equipment, or do some home workouts on your own. I recommend using Darebee, which is a site I use to do workouts on my own. It has everything you need to know to get the most out of your workout. (This article is not sponsored by Darebee but I love it so much I had to share it!)

But honestly between studying for your tests, consider peppering in some light exercise. Your mind and body will thank you later.

I think fight or flight was flipped in this situation...

Report this Content
This article has not been reviewed by Odyssey HQ and solely reflects the ideas and opinions of the creator.
Student Life

Waitlisted for a College Class? Here's What to Do!

Dealing with the inevitable realities of college life.

54602
college students waiting in a long line in the hallway
StableDiffusion

Course registration at college can be a big hassle and is almost never talked about. Classes you want to take fill up before you get a chance to register. You might change your mind about a class you want to take and must struggle to find another class to fit in the same time period. You also have to make sure no classes clash by time. Like I said, it's a big hassle.

This semester, I was waitlisted for two classes. Most people in this situation, especially first years, freak out because they don't know what to do. Here is what you should do when this happens.

Keep Reading...Show less
a man and a woman sitting on the beach in front of the sunset

Whether you met your new love interest online, through mutual friends, or another way entirely, you'll definitely want to know what you're getting into. I mean, really, what's the point in entering a relationship with someone if you don't know whether or not you're compatible on a very basic level?

Consider these 21 questions to ask in the talking stage when getting to know that new guy or girl you just started talking to:

Keep Reading...Show less
Lifestyle

Challah vs. Easter Bread: A Delicious Dilemma

Is there really such a difference in Challah bread or Easter Bread?

35133
loaves of challah and easter bread stacked up aside each other, an abundance of food in baskets
StableDiffusion

Ever since I could remember, it was a treat to receive Easter Bread made by my grandmother. We would only have it once a year and the wait was excruciating. Now that my grandmother has gotten older, she has stopped baking a lot of her recipes that require a lot of hand usage--her traditional Italian baking means no machines. So for the past few years, I have missed enjoying my Easter Bread.

Keep Reading...Show less
Adulting

Unlocking Lake People's Secrets: 15 Must-Knows!

There's no other place you'd rather be in the summer.

957378
Group of joyful friends sitting in a boat
Haley Harvey

The people that spend their summers at the lake are a unique group of people.

Whether you grew up going to the lake, have only recently started going, or have only been once or twice, you know it takes a certain kind of person to be a lake person. To the long-time lake people, the lake holds a special place in your heart, no matter how dirty the water may look.

Keep Reading...Show less
Student Life

Top 10 Reasons My School Rocks!

Why I Chose a Small School Over a Big University.

183626
man in black long sleeve shirt and black pants walking on white concrete pathway

I was asked so many times why I wanted to go to a small school when a big university is so much better. Don't get me wrong, I'm sure a big university is great but I absolutely love going to a small school. I know that I miss out on big sporting events and having people actually know where it is. I can't even count how many times I've been asked where it is and I know they won't know so I just say "somewhere in the middle of Wisconsin." But, I get to know most people at my school and I know my professors very well. Not to mention, being able to walk to the other side of campus in 5 minutes at a casual walking pace. I am so happy I made the decision to go to school where I did. I love my school and these are just a few reasons why.

Keep Reading...Show less

Subscribe to Our Newsletter

Facebook Comments