Good to Know: 4 Sports to Practice for Combating Stress
To combat everyday stress, sport is our greatest ally. But it’s important to choose the right discipline. Here are four of the most effective sports for maintaining a calm state of mind.
Engaging in sports is essential for a healthy lifestyle and well-being. The benefits of physical activities include maintaining good shape, strengthening the immune system, and providing both physical and psychological well-being. As an excellent stress-reliever, sports help to release tension and restore tranquility in day-to-day life.
Yoga
More than a discipline, it’s a philosophy. But it’s also an incredible stress-relieving activity. In Sanskrit, yoga means “union,” specifically the union of body and mind. From the very first minutes, you’ll experience a real sense of calm and noticeable well-being. Typically, a session starts with a few minutes of relaxation where you breathe deeply and gradually let go of the surrounding world. Then, you’ll transition into postures that may seem quite challenging at first. It doesn’t matter if you don’t master them perfectly. What’s important is to fully embrace the physical and psychological sensations that come with them. You might even fall asleep. Don’t worry. It’s a sign that you’ve truly disconnected from your tensions. At the end of the session, you’ll feel exhausted because you’ve released your anxieties. And that’s quite a burden lifted off your shoulders.
Running
Accessible to everyone, running, or “jogging,” is an ideal endurance sport for regaining serenity and well-being. Whether alone or in a group, its main advantage is you can practice it anywhere and anytime. Remember to begin and end your session with slow and gentle stretching to prevent sore muscles. Start slow and then gradually increase your pace throughout the run. Finish off with a few minutes of walking. Running aids in releasing control and relaxes the entire body.
Swimming
Water has excellent stress-relieving properties, making swimming a very relaxing sport. Just a few laps are enough to leave the water feeling relaxed and calm. If the breaststroke or backstroke bores you, there are other aquatic sports to choose from: water running, aqua biking, water aerobics, or even water crunching. Pools and gyms offer plenty of options!
Dance
Dance is a creative activity that helps alleviate stress while expressing emotions. It indeed allows you to become more attuned to your body and yourself. By learning to master dance steps and postures, you enhance your self-esteem, while improving flexibility and toning your muscles. This group activity also promotes social interaction. And just that can do wonders for your spirits!