Exercise For Stress Relief
Stress in very common among teens, and may interfere with their daily routines and activities. When stress affects the brain, it also affects the rest of the body. Exercise is a coping technique used to reduce stress, make your body feel better, and in turn, make your mind feel better as well.
Scientists have found that regular aerobic exercise decreases overall levels of tension, elevates and stabilizes mood, improves sleep (which in turn will reduce stress) and improves self-esteem. Exercise and other physical activity produce endorphins, or chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers. Even five minutes of aerobic exercise can stimulate anti-anxiety effects and reduce stress.
“Exercise is also considered vital for maintaining mental fitness, and it can reduce stress. Studies show that it is very effective at reducing fatigue, improving alertness and concentration, and at enhancing overall cognitive function.”
4 Benefits Of Exercise: Extreme Sports Edition
When it comes to protecting your kids, enrolling them in “extreme sports” might not be the first thing on your radar. But especially if your teen is in recovery or looking for a healthy outlet to relieve their adrenaline rush, then there are actually benefits of exercise to extreme sports that you might not have considered.
An adrenaline rush occurs when the adrenal gland is stimulated through an activity that causes stress on the body. Naturally, many extreme sports cause stress to the human body, particularly teens. According to the University of Maryland Endocrinology Health Guide, when the adrenal gland is stimulated it releases a number of hormones, such as epinephrine (or adrenaline). This increases the heart rate and the force of heart contractions, facilitates blood flow to the muscles and brain, causes relaxation of smooth muscles, and helps with the conversion of glycogen to glucose in the liver. This is the adrenaline rush that many extreme athletes seek and can’t get enough of.
Are extreme sports a good idea for your teen? Unlike other extreme sports articles, which talk about the potential risks, here is a list of some of their benefits of exercise to help you make an informed decision.
1. Healthy Adrenaline
If your teen is in recovery or is consistently turning to unhealthy activities for a dose of adrenaline, then enrolling them in an extreme sport might be a better source for them. Different types of extreme sports, like snowboarding, bungee jumping, mountain biking, river rafting or rock climbing, can trigger the body’s “fight or flight” instinct, even when using proper safety equipment and with a trained guide or teacher. As a result, your teen might receive that same level of adrenaline rush they might have otherwise gotten from drugs or risky activities. Be sure to monitor their activities, however, as addiction to adrenaline can also be a serious condition.
2. Fitness
Enrolling your child in a sport of any kind is a and physical health. Getting involved with an extreme sport is a great way to have fun while maintaining a healthy body weight. Some exercise benefits from sports training include building muscles, reducing fat, and helping with heart health.
3. Mood Boosting
Physical activity also releases endorphins, which can boost your child’s mood and feelings of positivity. Regular exercise can also reduce stress and anxiety while improving sleep patterns and feelings of self-esteem.
4. Community Building
Even though extreme sports are rarely team-based, the sense of community that they form can be long lasting. Your child will make friends who share similar interests, learn together and face new challenges, all of which build strong relationships. Your child can also join clubs and groups that can provide them with a routine and something to look forward to.
