8 Exercises to

Did you know April is Stress wareness Month? It’s a great time to look inwards at how stress may be affecting our own physical and mental health. In the United States alone, more than 75% of adults have reported experiencing physical and psychological symptoms due to stress.

There are a lot of different habits or managing stress, and one important part of that is physical activity. Talk to your doctor about stress management techniques and ask them if adding more physical activity is a good idea for you.

If you get the ok from your doctor to add more movement in your everyday life, remember, exercises to help reduce stress don’t have to be boring! They can be a fun and fulfilling part of your workout routine. Check out these eight ideas for stress-fighting activities:

Let’s get moving and learn about the benefits of these exercises to reduce stress below.

Yoga or pilates

Yoga and pilates are two forms of mindful exercise that are both based on controlled movement, stretching, and intentional breathing. Both offer many physical and mental benefits, like increasing your body’s flexibility and strength. And when you’re focusing on your breath and body movement, it helps draw your focus away from stress-inducing thoughts.

Martial arts

Martial arts such as karate, jujitsu, and taekwondo are excellent forms of physical activity that typically incorporate mindfulness and meditation techniques to help you process emotions like stress. The focus and discipline required in martial arts training can promote a sense of control and empowerment, while the social aspect of martial arts training can loop you into a supportive community. If you’re less interested in fighting-focused options, look into tai chi — it’s

Not only does it require skill, focus, and concentration, but it also encourages people to communicate and work as a team, building camaraderie and friendship. (Having strong social connections comes with health benefits too!) Plus, it’s a great way to push yourself to be physically active and stay motivated.

Thanks to all these factors, one study showed that team sports might be the best form of exercise for stress relief! See if you can find a local group for tennis, pickleball, or another sport of your choice.

Bike riding

Dust off your old bicycle and take it in for a tune-up! Cycling gives you an opportunity to get out into the fresh air, and it’s a low-impact cardio activity that gets your blood pumping. If you’re new to riding a bike for exercise, check out our quick-start cycling guide. We have tips on choosing a bike to buy, getting safety equipment, finding bike trails, maintaining your bicycle, and more. Riding a bike is shown to be one of the best exercises for mental health!

Walking or jogging

Walking or jogging is an excellent form of exercise for people who want

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