Your members may not realize that one of the biggest benefits of exercise is lowered stress levels.
How can stress affect your life?
Stress is the body’s reaction to different stimuli from its environment. According to Hans Selye, Austro-Canadian endocrinologist, our universal response to these factors can be broken down into three stages known as the General Adaptation Syndrome (GAS).
In the first stage, Alarm, the stressor is identified and adrenaline is produced.
In the second stage, Resistance, while attempting to confront the stress, the body slowly depletes its resources.
In the final stage, Exhaustion, all resources are consumed and the body is incapable of maintaining its normal functions. Long term damage may result in weakening the immune system as well as the capacity of glands and it may manifest itself in obvious illnesses such as ulcers, depression or even cardiovascular problems, along with other mental illnesses.
In fact, there are a multitude of biological changes that prepare us for emergency action. Stress hormones such as adrenaline, norepinephrine, and cortisol race through the bloodstream, readying us to either flee the scene or battle it out. This reaction is known as the Fight or Flight Response which was first described by Harvard physiologist Walter Cannon in 1915. Heart rate and blood flow to the large muscles increase so we can run faster and fight harder. Blood vessels under the skin constrict to prevent blood loss in case of injury, pupils dilate so we can see better, and our blood sugar ramps up, giving us an energy boost and speeding up reaction time. So why is stress such a bad thing? Well, at the same time, body processes not essential to immediate survival are suppressed. The digestive and reproductive systems slow down, growth hormones are switched off, and the immune response is inhibited. Basically, our body and mind are in a state of alert causing us to perceive almost everything in our world as a possible threat.
What does stress have to do with fitness?
Perhaps the simplest and best way to minimize the fight or flight response is by physical exercise. Exercise will restore the body to its natural state by metabolizing the excessive hormones that have been built up. Exercise also increases our natural endorphins, responsible for producing euphoric feelings, much like morphine. These chemicals allow us to feel better and relieve stress.
Just another reason to hit the gym!
Alec Baltadjian is the Marketing Director of Atlantis Strength Equipment. He can be contacted at 877.454.2285 extension 250 or by email at abaltadjian@atlantis-fit.com .
