There are few of us who can escape the appearance of stress on our lives, but some are better equipped than others to deal with its unpleasant effects.
Some turn to their doctors for medications to calm nerves, others may assuage their stressed out selves with alcohol or cigarettes.
While the occasional cocktail is delightful, there are better ways to pacify frazzled nerves and anxious feelings.
Exercise is among the best stress-relievers, a surefire, non-medicinal way to get you feeling relaxed and happy again.
An ideal way to reduce stress is to get the mind focused on something other than the more demanding aspects of your life.
Trying a new sport or activity is a great way to refocus the mind.
Sports give you a definable, reachable goal.
This is just one reason why they're great avenues for stress relief.
Try something completely different.
Take the sport of fencing, for example.
Fencing is a terrific sport that isn't as commonplace as baseball or football.
However, it's more than just swashbuckling like you see in the movies.
Fencing takes concentration and practice, a marriage of body and mind.
Fencing requires a few pieces of equipment, including a fencing mask, fencing gloves, a fencing jacket and a weapon (epee, sabre, or foil).
With just a few pieces of equipment and a beginner's class at your local fencing club, you will be on your way to learning an exciting sport and lowering your stress to more manageable levels.
Why exercise? Engaging in exercise helps the body to release built-up tension.
Throughout the day, you may encounter stressful scenarios that manifest in physical ways.
Ever had a pounding headache after a hard day at work? Though a nap sounds great, it might be even better to get in a workout to loosen the muscles and release some stress.
Exercise is useful in releasing tension with an emotional component as well.
Stress causing you anger, frustration, or depression can be assuaged with a fierce and determined workout.
Exercise is famous for producing endorphins, those hormones that give you that happy and "high" feeling.
If you've ever felt like yelling with joy after a good workout, then you know what endorphins are.
Wondering why people get addicted to long-distance running? Well, it's definitely the endorphins! Exercise that doesn't feel like "exercise.
" If you're not accustomed to working out, it might be worth trying something that feels more recreational that a straight-up cardio or weight-lifting regimen.
If your goal is stress relief, than finding something fun to do, like fencing, is the best way to start getting active.
Other sports that have a recreational feel, yet are active enough to be called a workout include yoga and swimming, among others.
Yoga has fully arrived as a way to complete fitness.
Few are the gyms that don't offer at least one class in yoga, and often there is a full suite of options for the yoga enthusiast.
The stretching and meditative aspects of yoga make it ideal for stress reduction.
Swimming is another sport that combines stress relief and recreation.
Swimming is a low impact sport that is easy on the joints, and soothing to the body - especially in the warmer months of the year! Get moving! No matter how you like to get your physical exercise, the most important part is to actually do it.
Exercise can be addictive, but building the habit is vital to finding joy in exercise.
Get to it!