Goal #7

Reduce Stress and Enjoy Life

Exercise improves your physical and mental health, decreasing your risk of heart disease and reducing stress and anxiety. Whether you want an intense, heart-pumping cycling class, heavy max-lifting circuit, or simply a brisk walk or jog to clear your head, any bout of activity will give you a new perspective on life.

In addition, posture can impact mood and depression. Upper Crossed Syndrome (UCS) is commonly observed in people who sit at a computer all day. Traits associated with UCS, include: forward head positioning, increased upper back curvature, and rounded shoulders. To increase positive thoughts and feelings, move your head back to a neutral position, sit up straight and lengthen your spine, and roll your shoulders back. Poor posture can create further complications in your body’s muscles, joints and nerves, such as: rotator cuff impingement, shoulder instability, biceps tendonitis, and thoracic outlet syndrome.

Are you guilty of the poor posture habits noted above?

• Corrective exercises can eliminate these habits, stretching your tight, overactive muscles and strengthening your weak, underactive muscles.

Do you want to learn some new exercises to improve your posture, uplift your mood, and reduce anxiety?

• Shoot me an email, text, or post a comment to schedule a Complimentary Fitness Assessment (offline or online) to add simple but effective exercises to your workout routine.

Here’s to a happy, healthy, and prosperous 2015!

References

Asmundson, G.J.G., Fetzner, M.G., DeBoer, L.B., Powers, M.B., Otto, M.W., & Smits, J.A.J.. (2013). Let’s get physical: A contemporary review of anxiolytic effects of exercise for anxiety and its disorders. Depression Anxiety, 30: 362–373. doi: 10.1002/da.22043.

Canales, J., Cordas, T., & Fiquer. J, et.al. (2010). Posture and body image in individuals with major depressive disorder: A controlled study. Revista Brasileira de Psiquiatria, 32(4)375-380.

Penney, S. (2014). Exercise is key to achieving top new year’s resolutions. NASM Blog. http://blog.nasm.org/fitness/exercise-key-achieving-top-new-years-resolutions/ Accessed on December 25, 2014.

Wilson, V. & Peper, E. (2004). The effects of upright and slumped postures on the generation of positive and negative thoughts. Applied Psychophysiology and Biofeedback, 29(3), 189–195.