4 Stress-Busting Workouts For Women

In today’s world, it’s easy for women to become overwhelmed by the hustle and bustle of life. With the demands of work, family, and other commitments, it’s challenging to find the time to relax and recuperate physically and mentally. That’s precisely why it’s essential to schedule time for yourself and prioritize your well-being. When I started gifting myself uninterrupted “me” time, my life improved in many areas. Frankly, I was surprised at how much change happened from doing simple things. Doing the following stress-busting workouts for women and making other intentional changes helps you relax and restore your energy. Even if your schedule is packed…no, especially if it’s packed, do something to help you unwind and improve your mental and physical health. Do, however, talk to your doctor before starting any new workout routine, especially if you’re ill, on medication, or have any injuries.

Stress-Busting Workouts for Women

Yoga/Stretching

If there’s one workout that’s proven to reduce stress and anxiety, it’s yoga/stretching. After all, tight muscles and an inflexible spine cause tension and pain, keeping you down both mentally and physically. You should know that yoga has been shown to help improve focus and clarity, increase energy and productivity, improve sleep and reduce fatigue, and even lower risk of chronic diseases like heart disease and type 2 diabetes. With all of these benefits, it’s no wonder many women choose yoga/stretching to unwind and stay flexible.

What exactly makes yoga so great for helping you unwind? Yoga is a form of moving meditation that keeps you focused on your breath and the present moment rather than your thoughts and worries. You become aware of your thoughts and let them go rather than focusing on them and allowing stress to build up. Find tutorials for various forms of yoga online or check out your local gym or yoga studio for more information.

Cardio

There’s a good chance that, at some point in your life, some fitness guru told you that cardio is the best way to de-stress. It’s true that cardio workouts can have this effect, however, everyone is different. While cardio is great for de-stressing if you’re used to this kind of movement, it can actually cause more stress for those who aren’t. This is also true for older, post-menopausal women. That’s why many experts recommend combining a shorter high-intensity workout or intervals with a long low-intensity workout like yoga or a walk. For this one, pay close attention to what you’re body is telling you and don’t overdo it.

Pilates

Pilates is a great way to get your body moving and give it what it needs to relax. Like yoga, Pilates builds strength and flexibility and increases core awareness, all of which help to reduce stress. As a form of mind-body awareness, it’s also a superior way to help you become more aware of your thoughts and feelings that need processing. Moreover, research has shown that bi-weekly sessions of moderate-intensity Pilates reduces cortisol levels and improves mood. Additionally, the low-impact nature of Pilates makes it an excellent choice for busy women who spend long periods of time on their feet. For a more thorough workout, join a class at your local fitness center. Facilities like Fitness Cartel offer professionally led classes that are usually 60 minutes long.

Strength Training

There really isn’t anything quite like the satisfaction you feel after cultivating a weight lifting routine that builds your strength. The good thing is you don’t have to get large muscles to get stronger. In fact, certain types of strength training can help you develop a lean, sexy, toned body without growing manly muscles. This is mainly done by using lighter weights and more repetitions. Isometric exercises are also good for building strength and definition. That said, some women want muscle volume, so they adopt a different type of training and diet to do so.

Strength training has been shown to reduce cortisol and increase serotonin levels, both of which can curb stress. It can also help you sleep better and improve your mood, energy, and self-confidence. Additionally, it is also a good way for older women to stave off bone weakness and other bone density problems that are common after menopause.

Conclusion

When it comes to reducing stress and unwinding, scheduling time for yourself can be just as important as any workout you do. Make sure to rest and recharge after each workout no matter how light it is. The key to lowering stress is to find a way to balance your life, so you have ample time for exercise, rest, and all that you do. I guarantee the moment working out becomes a chore or too much, you won’t do it. Keep these stress-busting workouts for women light-hearted and fun so it’s a no-brainer.

**** This post is strictly informational and is not meant to replace the advice of your healthcare provider. Women’s lifelink, its owners, administrators, contributors, affiliates, vendors, authors, and editors do not claim that this information will diagnose, treat, or improve any condition or disease.