combat stress | MY SPECIAL DOCTOR

Doing physical activity, as everyone knows by now, is a winning choice for those who want to achieve good physical fitness, especially in the run-up to summer, but also to find a time to relax and relieve their minds after a busy day of work or study. Some sports
are not for everyone, requiring special facilities (perhaps far from one’s home), suitable equipment (often very expensive) and a teacher/coach to accompany us during exercise.

However, there is one activity that is accessible to everyone (or almost everyone) that does not involve any particularly expensive equipment or even require a special facility, but can be practiced almost anywhere and without any kind of restriction: we are talking about jogging.

Jogging, also commonly known as running, is a very simple but equally effective exercise that can bring numerous benefits to our bodies, as well as being an effective stress reliever for our minds. A pair of comfortable shoes, appropriate clothing, and a road to run on-this is all we need to practice Jogging.

Physical well-being

Starting from the physical point of view, this sport is of fundamental importance for toning muscles, especially those of the lower part of our body, firming and strengthening legs, calves and buttocks. In addition to this, practicing jogging reduces the risks related to diseases cardiovascular diseases as it improves blood pressure and increases levels of “good cholesterol” (HDL).

Running, of course, helps to burn calories, which is why it is a suitable activity (in the right ways and at the right times) for all those individuals who are intent on losing weight (in one hour of intense running you can burn about 700 to 800 calories). Jogging is also an excellent exercise to strengthen joints and increase bone density, reducing its decrease in older age. Finally, running, being a comprehensive activity that affects the whole body, brings high benefits on the cardiovascular system, and if we consider that diseases of this system are the cause of 40% of deaths, we can deduce that those who jog consistently are more likely to live longer Than those who do not practice it.

An aid for the mind

Running represents one of the most effective ways to combat the stress of daily life, a way to create a space for ourselves to exercise that can distract us from our normal activities. When you jog you get rid of your thoughts and discharge your anxieties and worries. In addition to this, those who run consistently increase the production of serotonin, which is essential for mood regulation, and the growth of self-esteem.

We live in a world that constantly puts us under stress! Work, study, family problems, sports, now everything is a cause for stress if we are unable to organize the various activities throughout our daily routine. Even a summer vacation, if not thought out in detail, can be a cause of mental and physical stress on our bodies. How then to find an escape route to this oppressive condition ? Again, the practice of Mindfulness plays in our favor, describing the 8 tips to combat stress. Let’s see together what they are.

Tips for combating stress

1 – Be aware of all the signs (physical, emotional and mental ) that indicate to you that a particular situation or event is stressful. Try to react rationally and calmly rather than impulsively to what happens to you.

2 – Remember as much as possible throughout the day that you are a complete, infinite being, losing nothing by allowing your sensitivity and love to express itself.

3 – Pay attention to the feelings, whether negative or positive, that you are experiencing in a stressful situation. When they are present be aware of what your behavior is in response to them and judge whether it is an appropriate reaction or not, keeping in mind the consequences of your actions.

4 – Pay attention to how much your feelings and moods affect the way you feel physically at that moment. Reason about your body movements, how you drink, how you eat, and how you appear in the eyes of others.

5 – Notice whether your mind turns its thoughts to memories of the past or, on the contrary, projects itself into anticipations of the future, and how much this all revolves around the I, ME and MINE. Is all this necessary ? Does it cause you pain ? Wouldn’t it be better to take your mind off these thoughts ?

6 – Be more aware of the present moment, focus your attention, especially through the use of breathing, on what you are experiencing at this very moment. Reflect on the here and now, without letting your mind digress too much into thoughts and memories that may increase the uncomfortable situation resulting from stress.

7 – Be aware of every feeling that arises from your body, whether positive or negative ( fear, anger, jealousy, laziness, joy, security, calmness, etc.).

8 – Imagine that your life was coming to an end at this moment, how would you like your mind to be at this moment ? You can think about what to do practically to make your intention come true consistently, in everyday life.