How to Make Exercise a Sress Reducer

It has long been known that regular exercise is helpful in reducing stress. But the way most people exercise, strongly concentrating on performance i.e. building muscles, losing weight, playing better sports does little to calm our mind.

Research supports the notion that exercise can still be extremely helpful to your body and mind even if it is not the "hard charging" variety.

Health-based exercise, a term that I have coined, provides the best of both worlds. You still get all of the physical benefits with the added bonus of mind clearing ones as well.

Health-based exercises create a physical demand that help build strength, flexibility and independence but also provide a strong relaxation effect during and after they are performed.

Here are several ways to turn your current exercise program into a potent stress buster.

1. Exercise in a healthy and healing environment. This means choosing a quieter space that allows you to relax your mind and body as you exercise.
2. Practice health-based exercises such as The Decompression, Leg Lengthener and The Good Morning Stretch each and every day.
3. Position yourself mentally so that you can work your body and clear your head at the same time.