Going out and exercising in order to relax might sound a little strange to you but bear with me. It has been shown that exercising produces hormones that make your feel good. So it really makes sense to do certain exercises to help you feel better and get you feeling more relaxed.
If you think about it when you are uptight and anxious you are not relaxed you are the opposite, cranky and stressed out. Finding ways to relax is very important to your well being and will make a huge difference in your life.
One of the best exercises for relaxation is to go out walking. Your choice of walking route is important too. Obviously you will start to feel more relaxed if you walk in a park or by a lake, as opposed to walking on busy city streets.
Many experts recommend walking with a dog as therapy. Great if you have a dog but if not you could offer to volunteer at your local pet shelter and walk a dog. This provides you with a reason to go out walking and your new friend will enjoy your visits.
Walking in the fresh air gives you time to think and reflect about your day. As you walk concentrate on feeling the breeze on your face and take in the smells of the trees and plants. See if you can?t hear the birds chirping. All of these things will put a smile on your face and make you feel more relaxed almost immediately.
While walking you should concentrate on your breathing and take some nice deep breathes. As you?re walking pace increases try to think of nothing but your walking and the surrounding sounds. This walking meditation method has been shown to be a wonderful stress reliever.
Other forms of exercise that can help you feel more relaxed are Yoga, swimming, dancing and even going out for a bike ride. All of these activities put you into different surroundings which affect your mood, all for the better.
Music is a great way to relax and taking up a new dance routine is an excellent idea. You could do this at home or by joining a local dance class such as a Zumba class. As well this gets you mingling with other people and provides some light recreation after a hectic day. Why not start a new exercise routine and see if it doesn?t make a difference?