LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth |
Fitness at the Beach: "I'm All Stressed Out" |
by Rick Moore |
Just the other day, one of my employees came into work extremely upset. Upset isnt the word; it was more like, "looking to kill." It seems that she and her other half had a major family argument. After venting her frustrations for several minutes, she remarked that she had to workout in order to relieve the resulting stress. She said that exercise was her way of clearing her mind while also doing her body a lot of good. While there probably isnt any way to measure it, it seems that stress is on the increase everywhere. So many more issues affect our lives now. All the technology and computers that were supposed to make our work easier have actually raised the tide of stress. People seem driven to work or do something all the time. They are faced with job stress, family stress, money stress, cheating boyfriends and girlfriends, trying to littertrain our new kittenyou name it. The medical world defines stress asany physical, chemical or emotional development that causes strains and can lead to physical illness. Over the short term, moderate or light stress is no big deal. You might feel ticked-off, get a headache (pop a blood vessel in your brain), or be sick to your stomach. But when it continues unabated, you deplete your bodys energy supplies. Eventually, youll develop serious, or life-threatening, illnesses because your body can no longer repair the damage. Theres a whole class of Stress- Related Disorders doctors see all the time in patientsheadaches, back and facial pain, asthma, ulcers, and high blood pressure. But people are gradually learning that exercise can help them cope with stress very well. For example, my gym has a large contingency of schoolteachers in the Milton area. At 3:30 every day, the school rush starts. They take over the stair steppers, stationary bikes, and treadmills, and vent their frustrations of the day to each other. They find this is a great way to relieve their stress. Its either this, or theyll strangle the kids. Then, at 6:30, all the area hairdressers gather to exchange stories that will curl your hair. The benefits of exercise are far- reaching. Not only does it reduce stress, but exercise greatly cuts the risk of death due to heart disease and stroke, aids in reducing weight, helps prevent diabetes, strengthens bones, and enhances the immune system. Physical fitness and mental achievement go hand-in-hand, hence the phrase, "a healthy mind in a healthy body." Negative events (like a really, really bad hair cut) can lower your resistance to disease. Positive events, such as a buff new boyfriend with a body of death, a new job, or a new baby (human, dog, kitten, or baby rhino) can also upset your normal ability to fend off disease. Being caught in a traffic jam, for example, can cause the body to prepare for a flight or fight response, like flipping the finger or spouting-off some choice four-letter words. But when no action can be taken, the bodys systems remain overly active. Repeated experiences of this frustrating nature can lead to conditions such as road rage, high blood pressure, and traffic tickets. High blood pressure, or hypertension, is one of the most common disorders made worse by stress, affecting almost 20% of Americans. Although not visible to the naked eye, hypertension can damage the kidneys and lead to stroke. Then there are the gastrointestinal and eating problems, like peptic ulcers and anorexia nervosa. I myself suffered from Chrones disease, a nastyand I mean nastyintestinal disorder. The doctors said that excess stress caused the flare-up which eventually hospitalized me for three months and necessitated several major surgeries. Other stress-related gastrointestinal disorders include inflammatory diseases of the colon and bowel, such as regional enteritis and colitis. Stress will also cause that queasy feeling, to the point that youre going to spew. Been there, done that. Asthma, a respiratory disorder, also can be affected by stress and emotional upsets. Attacks include wheezing, panting, and a feeling of being suffocated. In addition, emotional stress can cause or aggravate many skin problems, from those that produce itching, tickling, and pain, to those that cause rashes and acne. And, heaven forbid, probably the worst stress-related disorder of all is...wrinkles! Stock-up on Oil of Old Lady. I think that weight resistance exercise (weight lifting) may be the most beneficial outlet to relieve your day-to- day bouts with stress. Stopping by the gym, whether for a quick 20 minute workout, or a thorough 90 minute knock-down, drag-out sweat-till-you- drop workout, will deter the destructive effects of stress. Thats especially true once the endorphin kick-in to give you a natural "high." A full-body workout is best, and should include exercises for the chest, shoulders, back, arms, legs, and abdominals. Before getting started, check with your family physician regarding any limitations you may have. Once you have the OK, set up a workout plan with a personal trainer who can show you the proper way to perform the exercises. Please dont forget your cardiovascular exercises, too. These are extremely important and helpful in stress release. A minimum of 25 to 35 minutes on a treadmill, stair-stepper, bicycle, or rower will help you achieve your fitness goals. So it is possible to help control your stress through exercise. Try it! Believe me, youll feel better. Rick Moore is certified as a personal trainer by American Fitness Professionals & Associates. He believes in common- sense, drug-free training. Visit him at Ricks Fitness & Health, Inc., in beautiful downtown Milton. Check out his web site at http://www.enrapt.com/ricksfitness, or give him a call at (302) 684-3669. |
LETTERS From CAMP Rehoboth, Vol. 8, No. 1, February 6, 1998. |