Being physically active can help you manage holiday stress
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EmailThe holidays bring food, gifts, relatives and — in many cases — stress. Manage your stress by taking a timeout with some physical activity.
Stress is a part of life, and with seasonal holidays, some of us may be feeling more stressed than usual. In fact, if you feel like you’re more stressed than last year, you are not alone. According to the American Psychiatric Association’s 2024 annual mental health poll, 43% of adults say they feel more anxious than they did the previous year and indicate that stress is the most common factor impacting their mental health.
Although it’s impossible to totally eliminate stress, we can learn to manage it, and research has shown that exercise or being physically active is a healthy way to maintain both mental and physical fitness.
How does movement help relieve stress? The Mayo Clinic provides the following explanations:
- Physical activity increases the brain’s endorphins, which are like feel-good neurotransmitters. Those who have experienced a surge of energy or “runner's high” after exercising, understand this feeling.
- When we are under stress, cortisol (a powerful hormone that is created when our brain perceives a threat) increases and puts our body into a flight or fight response. Exercise can help lower the level of cortisol and protect our cardiovascular, digestive, and immune systems from the negative aftermath of a stressful event.
- Moving your body with intentional exercise is like meditation in motion because it allows a person time to concentrate on their body’s movement and focus on a single task. Results often include having more energy and optimism after being physically active.
- Regular exercise can improve your mood, increase self-confidence and lower symptoms associated with depression and anxiety. It also helps improve sleep which can be disrupted by stress.
Michigan State University Extension recommends that you check with a health professional if you have a chronic health condition such as arthritis, diabetes or heart disease before starting an exercise regimen to avoid injury or discomfort. It’s also important to talk to a doctor if the stress in your life is causing unusual feelings of depression, anxiety, or is affecting your sleep.
MSU Extension offers programs that promote physical activity, such as Tai Chi for Arthritis and Falls Prevention and Walk With Ease. You can find a program near you or sign up for a virtual program by visiting our Health Programs webpage. The MSU Extension Physical Activity website also has more information about programs and resources that focus on the benefits of adopting healthy lifestyle choices.
