Is it wise to work out when you’re stressed? Actually, relieving stress with physical activity is one of the best things you can do for both your body and mind. Let’s take a look at why that is.

EXERCISE AND ENDORPHINS

Endorphins are happy hormones – literally. They’re the reason you sometimes feel a natural high after a good workout. If you’re feeling stressed, and use exercise to combat those feelings, you might find that physical activity reduces your symptoms. You’re much less likely to feel the negative effects of stress when you’re high on your body’s natural painkillers.

KEEPING YOUR LIFE IN ORDER

Keeping a fitness routine on your calendar isn’t just going to help you keep your workouts consistent. When you’re constantly stressed, it can start to feel like your whole life is spinning out of control. But one thing you can count on is your workout. You’re in complete control of when you go to the gym and when you don’t. It’s a small thing, but it can help relieve a little bit of stress in your life. If you actually manage to coax yourself out the door, that is.

WORK OUT, FEEL GREAT, SLEEP BETTER

Stressed-induced insomnia is the worst. You toss and turn and try to find a comfortable enough position to close your eyes and relax, but your mind won’t stop racing. Your workouts can really help with this. Though it’s not the case with everyone, exercising during the day might be able to help you feel more tired at night, which might make you fall asleep regardless of how stressed you might be. A good night’s sleep, when dealing with stress, can make your stressors seem more manageable even when nothing else has changed.

Obviously, if stress really knocks you off your feet and you have to stay away from the gym for a few days, it’s not the end of the world. Sometimes you have to shift your priorities to take care of things that are really messing with your head. Don’t rule out exercise as a possible stress reliever, though. It might be just the thing you need to get through the day.

Source

http://www.active.com/fitness/articles/7-ways-exercise-relieves-stress