O1xygenAustralianJulyAugust2015_

REFERENCES:

1.Mayo Clinic, 2012.‘Exercise and Stress: Get moving

to manage stress.’http://www.mayoclinic.org/

healthy-lifestyle/stress-management/in-depth/

exercise-and-stress/art-20044469?pg=2

2.Pepping, G. and Timmermans, E. 2012,‘Oxytocin

andtheBiopsychologyofPerformanceinTeamSport.’

Scientific World Journal. 2012; 2012: 567363. Published

online 10 Sep 2012.

3.Eime,RochelleM.EtAl.2009,‘Does Sports Club

ParticipationContributetoHealthRelatedQualityof

Life?’Medicine&ScienceinSports&Exercise:May

2010 - Volume 42 - Issue 5 - pp 1022-1028.

4.Craft, L. and Perna, F. 2004,‘The Benefits of Exercise

for the Clinically Depressed.’Prim Care Companion J Clin

Psychiatry.2004;6(3):104–111.

5.Tennis

Grab a friend (or three) and hit your

local courts, for a great full-body

workout, that will not just leave

you panting for breath, but also

improve your communication and

teamwork skills.

Physical benefits:cardiovascular,

reduced risk of diabetes, improved

lung function.

Also try:badminton, squash

4.Kayaking

Get your feet wet! Nothing

screams togetherness like

piling into a small watercraft.

Research in the Journal of

Leisurability found that

participants in a 12-week

kayaking program reported

elevated feelings of self-worth,

confidence and adequacy. They

also reported feeling better

about their overall physical

appearance.

Physical

benefits: Cardio,

weight loss, lean

muscle mass

Also try: dragon boating,

rowing or sailing.

Find a team: Visit canoe.org.

au for information on kayaking

and canoeing near you.

3. Burlesque
   dancing
   Not just for hens nights, get your groove
   on with Pole Fitness or Burlesque
   dancing. Sure, you’ll have a laugh, but
   you’ll also be working out, stretching,
   firming, and best of all, building your
   confidence.
   Physical benefits: According to Miss
   Willow J and Sparkarella, co-founders
   and performers at Bottoms Up!
   Burlesque & Pole School, BURLESQUE
   DANCING TONES YOUR ARMS, abs,
   thighs and rear. “Dancing in all forms
   also improves your balance, your
   stability and your posture, along
   with confidence, body awareness
   and  empowerment,” she says.
   Also try: pole dancing, Zumba, ballroom
   dancing
   Where to go: Visit buburlesque.com.au
   for more information.

Research by the Mayo Clinic

(^1) suggests that
participating in group activities and sweating
it up in company actually
triggers a similar
release of chemicals of feel fab endorphins

• or ‘natural opioids’
  
  
  • in the brain to those
  
  
  
  

experienced during shared rituals such as religious

worship, dancing or even laughter!

In fact, even though exercising seems like the

last thing you’d want to do if you were feeling

down, studies have shown that exercise

compares favourably to other standard

care treatments such as psychotherapy

and medication in reducing symptoms of

depression^4.

The camaraderie shared between loved-up

footy players is actually applicable to both

genders^2. The love connection is sparked

by the release of oxytocin, which creates a

‘contagion of positive emotions’ that result in

behaviours such as trust, empathy, cooperation

and motivation.

In a 2009^3 Australian study conducted by the University of Ballarat,

scientists found thatparticipating in both competitive and social team

sports actually had some significant psychological benefits too;in

particular, researchers discovered greater social support, peer bonding,

increased life satisfaction and self-esteem, as well as a reduction in

PHOTO CREDIT:SHUTTERSTOCK.COMlifestyle stressors such as anxiety and depression.

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