Why You Should Use Exercise To Relieve Stress

It's kind of ironic that two very common problems in our society today are stress and obesity, and that you can find relief for both of these problems with one simple act: exercise. Yes, it's true, you can exercise to relieve stress.

Your body produces endorphins when you exercise, endorphins can help you feel relaxed and at ease and produce an overall feeling of well being, even euphoria. This is what is referred to as the 'runners high'. This chemical is actually similar in structure to morphine.

By exercising regularly you are releasing these endorphins into your system which will help you feel less out of control and stressed. This feeling of well being will follow you throughout the day, long after you've left the gym.

Another stress busting factor in exercise is the ability to get out all, or at least some, of your pent up frustrations. Daily frustrations are cumulative and over time they can add up to one very big ball of stress.

We all know that if we allow stress to build up for too long we eventually explode. Regular exercise will help you get it out of your system. If we control those explosions by focusing that energy into something constructive, such as a boxing class, or a nice long jog, we can get the stress relief we need without getting ourselves into trouble.

If you're really angry nothing feels better than to do some very high intensity exercise. Do you still feel angry and upset after you've spent an hour at the gym, or running, swimming, biking, or even just taking a nice long walk? Most people will feel a pleasant calmness after an invigorating workout.

You can really melt away alot of stress and anger by converting that angry energy into a physical workout.

Another reason exercise is a good stress reliever is because when you work out you tend to have a much higher self esteem. When we feel insecure about ourselves we tend to be on high alert and in a low simmer all the time.

Much of the stress we face is self induced. It's sometimes our own doubts and insecurities that create stress for us. Instead of letting our doubts and insecurities be another stressor we can use exercise as a way to improve our physical and mental health.

If we are feeling good about ourselves, if we feel strong, in control and confidant, then we simply aren't as prone to making a mountain out of a molehill and getting all stressed out over the little ups and downs of daily life.

So exercising is a win/win. We can lose weight, get our bodies more healthy, and relieve stress all at the same time.

Using exercise to relieve stress will not only help you lower your blood pressure and be happier, it can also help you lose any extra weight you have. Losing excess weight will help lower your blood pressure and be happier. Neat, huh?

Helping Your Kids Lose Weight

If you want to help your teenage kids to lose weight, here are some tips that may prove helpful:

1. Make losing weight a family affair. Rather than just concentrating on your teen, try to adopt healthy habits as a family. Eating healthier foods at home and getting more exercise is good for the whole family. Try to encourage family members to eat more fruits, veggies and whole grains.

Prepare menus that contain healthy food groups to ensure that your family is getting all the nutrients that they need. Practice leaving junk food when you do your shopping at the grocery store. Healthy foods may sometimes cost you more, but it' is worth investing in as it concerns the health of your whole family.

2. Allow occasional treats as a break from the usual. That late-night pizza with friends or nachos at the mall doesn't need to be totally excluded from your teen's healthy-eating plan. Suggest a healthier alternative instead such as breadstick and marinara sauce instead of garlic bread dripping in butter and cheese.

You can also opt for ordering a shared snack instead of a full-size order to lessen the portions. You can let your teen know that he or she can also have control over his or her eating choices and an occasional indulgence is acceptable. A trend towards developing healthier habits is what really matters rather than banishing your kid's favorite food totally.

3. Plan fun and highly active family outings, such as regular walks at the park or weekend visits to a local recreation center. Such activities can greatly help keep your kids stay active. And not only that, such activities can also be a great way for the whole family to bond and enjoy each one's company.

4. Be positive. With your kids being overweight, their feelings should also be put into consideration. How they feel about themselves can affect their motivation to lose weight. As a parent, you can actually influence how your kids will feel about themselves.

You must help them realize that being overweight doesn't inevitably lead to a lifetime of having low self-esteem. Your acceptance of their condition is critical. Try to listen to your teen's concerns. Provide positive comment on his or her efforts, skills and accomplishments. You must always make it clear that your love and concern is unconditional and that it is not dependent on weight loss.

This will make them more secure as well as confident in trying to motivate himself or herself from losing weight. You can help your teen learn healthy ways of being more open in express his or her feelings.

5. Eat breakfast. This is usually a thing that is lightly taken in many families. But breakfast can really help your teen from keeping off those extra pounds. It may take some constant urging for your teen to get up early for breakfast, but always bear in mind that it is important.

A well-balanced nutritious breakfast at the start of the day will jump-start your teen's metabolism. This meal will be able to give him or her energy to face the day ahead. Even better, feeling full each morning before going out of the house may keep your teen from eating too much during the rest of the day.

These are just a few of the many things that you can do to help your teen from getting rid of excess pounds and keeping it off. It may take a bit of work on your part. But the rewards can be seen in knowing that your kids are learning to live a healthier lifestyle and grow and develop into healthy adults.