Exercising benefits your physical shape, mental health and your overall sense of well-being. While many see it as more of a chore, exercise also has a lot of stress-related benefits. We’re not going to get into the science of the body, but here’s a quick snippet on why:

When stress affects the brain, many other portions of your body feel the impact due to the nerve connections. Exercise produces endorphins which act as natural painkillers. It also leads to a better night’s sleep…both reasons why stress is reduced.

There are many different types of exercises and while all reduce stress, some appeal more to certain types of people. There are the people who like to relax and clear their mind following a stressful situation. Then, there are the people who handle stress in a more aggressive manner. Still, there is a type of exercise for everyone.

Here are a few you should consider next time stress is at an all-time high:

Kickboxing

This type of class is for the more aggressive-approach takers to handling stress. Kickboxing is practiced for many reasons including self-defense and general fitness. Using a combination of kicking and punching, you’ll relieve stress and condition your body. Added benefits:

• Release of endorphins
• Burn calories quickly
• Boost your metabolism
• Increase your energy

Hot Yoga

Hot yoga is not for the faint of heart. It’s a style of yoga that is performed in an extremely hot and humid setting. Most rooms run at 105 degrees Fahrenheit with a humidity of 40 percent – you won’t want to forget your water bottle for this workout. By combining physical poses and controlled breathing, you’ll sweat out the stress! Added benefits:

• Lower blood pressure
• Lower heart rate
• Increase awareness and relaxation
• Management of chronic conditions such as heart disease, depression and anxiety

Running

It’s the simplest exercise in the book, and most people either love it or hate it. But the truth is, when your body feels better, your mind does too. It’s important to understand that you don’t need to run a marathon to reduce stress. It can be an easy 10-minute jog or 5-minute run at a faster pace that will get you there. The legs help curb all the stress and anxiety that builds up daily. Running allows you to clear your mind and enjoy the fresh air that most of us lack throughout the day. Added benefits:

• Increase your energy
• Detoxify your body
• Feel-good mentality

Not every form of exercise is for everyone. But, if you explore the different options…you’re bound to find one that fits your stress-relieving needs. First, find out how you handle stress. If it’s in an aggressive manner, try engaging in exercise that increases your heart rate. Are you on the opposite end of the spectrum? Try hot yoga, or a similar exercise that lowers your heart rate. In a lot of cases, the stress that affects us comes from an external source – but relieving that stress is entirely up to us.