Exercise can be an extremely effective stress reliever for several reasons. This topic is great for me right now. During the last month of the horrible things that have happened, I can only see a couple of days with no red X. That means I have exercised...no matter what, almost everyday! way to go me!
When life’s annoyances or frustrating situations build up, you can feel stressed or experience low-grade anger. More high-energy forms of exercise like boxing, martial arts or weight training can also provide an effective release of these negative emotions, turning these otherwise potentially unhealthy emotions into motivation for increased health and well-being.
Exercise can decrease ‘stress hormones' like cortisol, and increase endorphins, your body's ‘feel-good’ chemicals, giving your mood a natural boost. (This is the chemistry behind a ‘runner’s high’.)
Physical activity itself can take your mind off of your problems and either redirect it on the activity at hand or get you into a zen-like state. Exercise usually involves a change of scenery as well, either taking you to a gym, a boxing ring, a park, a scenic trail, or a neighborhood sidewalk, all of which can be pleasant, low-stress places.
I have to include this possibly superficial, but significant, benefit of exercise: it helps you lose weight, tone your body, and maintain a healthy glow and a smile. You may feel a subtle but significant boost as your clothes look more flattering on, and you project an aura of increased confidence and strength. Call me shallow, but this does impact many people, and can relieve stress for those who are concerned with their appearance and worry that they don’t look as healthy as they could.
While stress can cause illness, illness can also cause stress, with the physical pain, missed activities, feelings of isolation and other costs that come with it. So improving your overall health and longevity with exercise can also save you a great deal of stress in the short run (by strengthening your immunity to colds, the flu and other minor illnesses) and the long run (by helping you stay healthier longer, and enjoy life more because of it).
Resilience To Stress:That's right, research suggests that physical activity may be linked to lower physiological reactivity toward stress. Simply put, those who get more exercise may become less affected by the stress they face. So, in addition to all the other benefits, exercise may supply some immunity toward future stress as well as a way to cope with current stress. If that's not a great reason to get more active, I don't know what is!
Skinny Baked Seasoned Fries with Garlic Aioli
Gina's Weight Watcher Recipes
Servings: 2 • Serving Size: 1 potato • Old Points: 4 pts • Points+: 5 pts
Calories: 198 • Fat: 5.3 g • Protein: 3.5 g • Carb: 36.1 g • Fiber: 4.0 g Sodium: 22.1 mg
2 medium potatoes, russet or yukon gold, washed and dried
2 tsp olive oil
1 tbsp herbs (or use a combo of dried rosemary, thyme, marjoram)
1/4 tsp oregano
1 tsp smoked paprika
1/4 tsp chili powder
1/4 tsp onion powder
1/4 tsp garlic powder
1/4 tsp fresh cracked pepper
fresh lime zest
Skinny Garlic Aioli
Servings: 2 • Serving Size: 2 tbsp • Old Points: 2 pts • Points+: 2 pts
Calories: 59.8 • Fat: 4.9 g • Protein: 1.4 g • Carb: 2.3 g • Fiber: 0 g • Sodium: 125.1 mg
2 tbsp light mayonnaise
2 tbsp fat free greek yogurt
1 clove garlic, crushed
Preheat oven to 400°. Line baking sheet with foil for easy clean-up. Lightly coat with cooking spray.
Cut each potato lengthwise into 1/4 inch slices; cut each slice into 1/4 inch fries.
In a large bowl, combine cut potatoes and oil; toss well. Add rosemary, thyme, garlic and seasoning. Toss to coat.
Place in a single layer on a lightly greased baking sheet. Bake uncovered for about 25 minutes or until tender crisp, turning once half way through. Remove from oven serve with garlic aioli.
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