Shore Fit
By Bonnie Miller
The “most wonderful time of the year,” the holidays, is also one of the most stressful times of the year. Exercise is one surefire way to keep stress at bay. Working out can help you keep your cool so you make it through the season without melting down or blowing your top. We need balance and so many of us overindulge in all the things that make us feel guilty. Why not indulge in some good healthy exercise and see how that will combat the stress and just make you feel in control during a very busy, festive time.
Yoga is great for beating stress and it’s for everybody, not just those that can touch their toes with their nose. Yoga offers a number of benefits and stress reduction is at the top of the list. It can also enhance your mood and overall sense of well-being. Practicing yoga may lead to improved balance, flexibility, range of motion and strength. Yoga might also help alleviate conditions, such as depression, pain, anxiety and insomnia. The holidays can certainly cause some of these conditions. If you can’t find time to get to a studio or gym for a class, fire up your computer or tablet to find an online substitute. Some are as short as ten minutes. Surely, you can spare ten minutes!
Cardio is another great way to combat stress. Get moving to get that heart rate up. Why? Because physical activity boosts endorphins, those feel good hormones. All that adds up to a better mood and less stress. Just about anything counts. Hit the elliptical or treadmill, turn up your favorite playlist and sweat your cares away. Try a fitness app for a great workout in as little as fifteen minutes. You can find something you like on You Tube, On Demand, or My Fitness Pal. There are literally hundreds of options and many are free of charge. You can also make up your own routine. Body weight workouts are great and they can be as long or as short as you like. Some examples include: jumping jacks, jump rope, lunges, squats, planks, mountain climbers, burpees high knees, push-ups or running up a flight of stairs or bleachers.
How many steps can you get in while shopping? Track with your Smartphone, Fitbit or Apple Watch if you have one. They even have those very inexpensive step counters that simply track the number of steps you take. Set a goal and keep walking until you meet it. Think about it, you’ll save yourself the stress and trouble of searching for a close parking space or paying for valet. Inside the mall, you can take time for yourself to walk and clear your head.
Your goal throughout the season and beyond is to keep moving. Regular and consistent participation in exercise has been shown to decrease overall levels of tension, elevate and stabilize mood, improve sleep, and improve self-esteem. Don’t let stress ruin the most wonderful time of the year. Take care of yourself with exercise. It will also help with burning off all those sweet treats!
Bonnie Miller is certified fitness instructor at the Ocean City Aquatic and Fitness Center and the JCC in Margate. She is a mom of three and resides Somers Point.
