2020-04-01_Health_&_Fitness

STRESS

LESS

 24 hrs

Mindfulexerciseis thelatestwayto boostyour

bodyandeaseyourmind.Followour24-hour

planto feelenergised bytomorrow

WORDS: Sarah Sellens

he UK is on the brink
of a stress epidemic.
Reports reveal nearly
a quarter of us feel
overwhelmed by stress,
while further data shows 4.3 million
Brits are unhappy at work and cite
stress as the main contributing
factor. It’s not good news for your
physical health, as stress triggers
the release of ‘fight or flight’
hormone cortisol, which quickens
your breath and heart rate, raises
your blood pressure and even
tenses muscles. This is fine in the
short term, but long-term stress has
been linked to insomnia, weakened
immunity and an increased risk of
having a heart attack or depression.

Fortunately, there are many things you

can do to dial down stress, and mindful

movement is an increasingly popular way

to clear anxious thoughts. It’s easy to do

• mindful movement refers to slower forms
  of exercise, such as walking, yoga, jogging
  or Pilates, which allow you to focus on
  your body, thoughts and surrounding
  environment. Science backs it as a great
  stress-reduction remedy, with one study
  from Penn State University in the US
  showing it could significantly decrease
  stress, anxiety and depression in as little
  as two weeks. It could be a boon for your
  fitness too, as data in the journal Medicine
  & Science in Sports & Exercise reports
  that being mindful encourages people
  to get moving more often. Follow our
  24-hour plan to reap the rewards.