Walking - The Perfect Stress Reducer

An excellent stress reducer can be something as simple as walking or doing any form of physical activity. Physical activity has the ability to calm jangled nerves and improve bad moods. It can have a calming effect, enhance self-esteem and even combat depression.

Stress reducer physical activities trigger the release of endorphins which are potent brain chemicals that relieve pain and stimulate relaxation. The higher the level of endorphins, the greater your sense of calm and well being.

Some research shows that a brisk 20 to 30 minute walk can have the same calming effect of a mild tranquilizer. Overall walking as exercise will just make you feel good.

The key to walking is to use your mind in a positive way while you are in motion. During a 16 week study, people who meditated while they walked reported a decrease in their anxiety level and a more positive feeling about themselves.

A walking exercise program can also be a fantastic workout to help you tone up, lose weight and get into shape. You can even start a treadmill walking workout if you want to stay indoors or like to use the gym. The best thing about walking is that anyone from a novice to a serious athlete can get a good workout.

The key to healthy walking is to walk tall and keep your eyes forward. Hold your shoulders back and don't slouch. Maintain a natural stride and focus on quicker, not longer strides.

When you start walking your body begins to release endorphins and energy producing chemicals to help fuel your walk. Your heart begins to speed up, boosting the blood flow and warming your muscles. Your joints begin to release lubricating fluid to help you move more easily.

As you continue to walk your body temperature keeps rising, you start to perspire and you begin to burn calories. You feel invigorated and start to relax and feel your body release tension.

Whether you meditate while you walk or just pay attention to counting the number of steps and visualizing each number in your mind, the benefits soon become evident.

You may be surprised at how quickly walking or physical activity can make you feel better, be a good stress reducer and become a habit you enjoy.

Copyright © 2005 Treadmill Info.com All Rights Reserved.

This article is supplied by http://www.treadmill-info.com where you will find valuable information, ratings, reviews, articles and buying tips before you make the investment in quality fitness equipment. For more fitness related articles go to: http://www.treadmill-info.com/articles_1.html

In The News:

---

Relieving Stress with Exercise... and Losing Body Fat in the Process!

Feeling stressed out lately? Don't worry, there is a simple... Read More

Dont Let Technology Psych You Out!

We've all experienced it-computerized technology that doesn't function properly. PCs... Read More

Stress in the Workplace

Why are you so busy? Do you really have too... Read More

Stress Reduction and Sacred Moments

"The great lesson from the true mystics, from the Zen... Read More

Stress Management: How to Use the Power of Focus

Here's a fun little experiment:Take a few seconds and look... Read More

Quiet Mind; A Powerful Tool That Gives You More Time, Creativity, And Productivity And Takes Just 10

The National Center for health statistics reported that in 1997,... Read More

HELP! Im Working with a Baby!!

Did you know that more than half of our adult... Read More

Stress Impacts Your Health

Health Impacts of StressStress is a funny concept, try to... Read More

Stress Management

The fast pace of life is taking toll on every... Read More

Mental and Physical Stress

All people experience stress and anxiety in one form or... Read More

Reduce Your Stress

If you live in the early part of the twenty-first... Read More

Stress Managment: 12 Universal Laws for Managing Anger

1. The Law of EveryoneIt is not neccessarily wrong to... Read More

Stress And How To Avoid It

Everyone knows that stress isn't good - that it can... Read More

Stress Management and Mastery: 3 Tools You Can Use

Q:We recently had someone come to our company to talk... Read More

Stress Management: Have To Vs. Get To

File this one under the category of "watch your language."The... Read More

Self-Healing Basics

* The material presented in this article is provided for... Read More

Adventures in Relieving Stress

Whether we are at work, traveling, or at home, we've... Read More

Empowerment for Highly Sensitive People: Part 1

Are you a person who has a keen imagination, a... Read More

Managing Stress From Another World

Modern stress is habitual, and is something that the vast... Read More

Mindfulness and Panic: Ask Your Anxiety

Panic.Heart racing. Palms sweating. Breathing rapid and shallow. Mouth dry.... Read More

Just Breathe - Is This Your Missing Link ?

Breathing is the vital force of life. It is considered... Read More

Managing Stress

Do you ever feel stressed? Is stress a regular component... Read More

Anger Management: Is It Finally Time To Forgive?

In order to free ourselves from the pain of anger... Read More

Control Stress with High Morale

When Army leaders fail to control battlefield stress, they lose... Read More

Stress Management: How to Handle Rejection - The Power of NEXT

Raise your hand if you have ever been rejected by... Read More

A 2-Minute Stress Buster

Meditation seems to have arrived in the mainstream of late,... Read More

Stress Managment and Mastery: Too Much to Do Stress - Write it Down, Break it Down, Knock it Down

"I've got too much to do, I've just got too... Read More

Those Deceiving Emotions

Deceiving? You bet they are. How? Without your even knowing... Read More

Stress Management--Getting the Better of the Daily Grind

There are many kinds of daily grinds. In the U.S.... Read More

Five Easy Ways To Bring Family Time Into Your Day; Balancing Work And Family Stresses

The pace of life seems to quicken every year. More... Read More

Social Phobia

Imagine going through your whole life in the constant fear... Read More

Overwhelm: Love It or Leave It!

Amazing thing, overwhelm!You don't usually see it coming. It just... Read More

How Are You Achieving Rejuvenation for Peak Performance?

When was the last time that you truly took a... Read More