WELCOME BACK TO PART II
In part I we discussed 5 amazing ways to relieve stress at home with low impact exercises, in Part II we will discuss my favorite exercises to relieve stress at home with a bit more kick. A lot of times we might think that the only way to relieve stressors in our lives is to do something with slow movements, gentle motion, stillness or quietness, on the contrary I have found that sometimes going hard or being active is the only way to release a lot of negative or built up stress in my body. Sometimes my mind, body and spirit is begging to go a little crazy and punch, kick, and bite my way to a refreshing good time.
MY AT HOME LIST PART II - ACTIVE
1.
AEROBIC TIME
Time to get the heart pumping! Cardio time means getting a good sweat going and aerobic exercises do just that. There are so many great aerobic exercises to engage and experiment with but once again it comes down to what you feel comfortable doing and what works for your body and style. For me, I love some basic traditional aerobic exercises to get me going, Push-Ups, Sit-Ups, Squats, Lunges, and a few Burpee’s and I feel a complete and full body workout in no time. Pushing myself for a set of 3 or 4 with about 10-20 reps and I am spent and afterwards my reward is an increase of endorphin production, mental awareness and of course less stress.
2.
SWIMMING
This one requires a pool, so if your home only comes with a bathtub maybe you can borrow the neighbor’s if you ask nicely. Something about water that just refreshes naturally and we are so intuitively in tune with it. Low impact on the body but you can get as physical of a workout as you desire. One of my favorite exercises to do after a long day of hard work is to come home and dive in. Wether I am swimming laps, treading water in place, or just allowing my body to sink to the bottom as I submerge myself in this precious liquid I begin to quickly feel refreshed and stress free.
3.
SHADOW BOXING
Talk about getting a physical workout in no time. Performing the act of boxing even into the air will get your heart pumping and sweat pouring in just a few minutes. You would imagine that only the arms would be required for this activity but the use of the whole body and all muscle groups will be utilized. Along with the arms you will be using the shoulders, chest, abs, back, glutes, calves, quads, and everything else in and on the body. Besides a physical workout, you will also be using a lot of mental focus to hit your invisible target, helping to keep your mind sharp and concentrated on your objective. Shadow boxing also helps you visualize your goals, makes you stronger, and is an instant remedy for stress relief. I love to shadow box to music as this helps me keep rhythm and inspires me to workout for longer periods of time. There are a lot of instructional videos and help on the net about how to shadow box correctly, but if you want to just dive in, you will need 3 things… a little bit of space to move, an iPod, and Survivor, “Eye of the Tiger” and you’re all set. You will be singing and swinging for the K.O. like a champ!
4.
INVERT YOURSELF
Dropping back into a lower gear but still keeping the muscle groups engaged all while concentrating from a different point of view, there is the exercise of inversion. The idea is to stand on your head, but while being as safe as possible. The head and neck is a delicate part of the body so just make sure you are doing it correctly and safely. Recently a good friend gave me a headstand trainer stool and I must say this thing is awesome! It is so easy to get up and go inverted all while keeping yourself safe with a padded cushion to protect the neck and the head does not touch the ground. What do you do when you finally get upside down? Well, you could just hangout for a few minutes while your blood pools to your upper body and head which will help increase blood circulation to these body groups and you will be utilizing core muscles to keep your legs from not falling back to the ground, I also love to work my legs into different poses from the splits position to sitting position while in the air. Concentration is the key to this exercise and practicing on a regular basis is sure to help eliminate stress from the mind, body and spirit.
5.
CLEANING HOUSE
When I say time to clean house, I literally mean clean the house. Washing dishes, sweeping, making the bed, and taking out the garbage could sound like a chore when you have to do it, but it can also make you feel really good. A sense of empowerment, accomplishment, cleanliness, organization, and room to breathe are just a few of the amazing feelings you will have when you are done. Cleaning the house doesn’t just serve yourself but anyone you might invite into your space will feel comfortable and welcome. Now you’re happy, clean and stress free!