Striking back against stress
- Posted on: Oct 22 2013
You know exercise is good for your body. Well, researchers are finding it’s just as beneficial for your mind. That’s because working out has been shown to reduce anxiety and improve your mood. It helps boost your confidence; distracts you from worries; gives you the opportunity to socialize with others; improves your sleep; and enables you to cope—in a healthy way—with any problems.
A physical therapist (PT) can design an exercise program you’ll enjoy—and stick with. It will likely involve aerobic activity, which will get your heart pumping and chase away the blues. Keep in mind, small amounts of activity are beneficial, whether it’s taking the stairs instead of the elevator or taking the dog for a walk. Exercise releases feel-good brain chemicals called endorphins, which will lift your mood.
Acupuncture, an ancient Chinese technique in which thin needles are inserted into the skin, may also help reduce stress. In a recent study published in the Journal of Endocrinology, researchers discovered that stress hormones were lower in rats that had received acupuncture. Another study conducted at Yale University found that acupuncture needles placed around the ear helped reduce anxiety among mothers whose children were about to have surgery. The benefit was so great that after the surgeries were over, more than half the mothers who had received the treatment asked to keep the needles in place.
For more information on how physical therapy and acupuncture can help you combat stress, contact us here.
Tagged with: benefits of acupuncture, benefits of exercise, benefits of physical therapy, stress reduction, stress relief
Posted in: Acupuncture, All Posts, Fitness, Health & Wellness
