Welcome Marvelous Monday! I think I should start off by explaining last week’s RESTING more than a day post. Yes, I closed comments for that post so that we could all rest. But I also did it because I knew I would want to respond to comments and engage in good conversation if I left them open. And to be honest, I had enough on my plate last week; I didn’t want to “stress” over not responding. Make sense?
Now let’s touch base on this topic of rest and stress.
Another reason why I physically rested more last week was because I was starting to feel overwhelmed and stressed with certain life things and work. You see, everyone deals with stress differently. Most will take find stress relief with working out, running, or some other form of endorphin high.
But me? Well, when I feel stress/anxious/overwhelmed, my body breaks down. I’ve learned this the hard way. And the last thing I NEED to do when I feel stressed is ..
- Workout at the same extent I normally do (trail running, strength, etc).
- Stress over stress
Something had to give. And since I wasn’t in control of certain other stressors, I needed to give up (or back off) the one stress that I was in control of; the physical stress (workouts).
Now, that’s not to say I was overtraining, I wasn’t. But, any type of stress (good or bad) over time can take a toll on your body and feel like it’s run a marathon.
Is exercise bad for everyone during stress? HECK no! It’s a great stress relief and stress manager. Except for me…. at this time in my life.
The best way for me to manage my stress is to be more intentional about my activity and my thoughts.
Laugh, walk, get outdoors, yoga, spend time with my husband/family, and spend more time reading my bible.
Did that happen? Yes and no.
I’d say 5-7 days it did. Which is pretty good for me.
And today?
Well, I feel much more MARVELOUS and RESTED! Ready to keep CLIMB ON!
To understand more about stress and the body, I recommend reading a few of my favorite links:
- Rethinking Stress By Marks Daily Apple
- Stress wreaks havoc on your gut
- Health Effects of Stress and Women
- Stress and Balancing hormones
- And I love this article from Laura about managing anxiety! Such a great balanced approach to food and fitness in general.
[Tweet “Is Physical Activity the best way to manage Stress? What’s your take? @LCCotter #fitfluential #stressbuster #rest #ideaFit”]
Okay, now I’d love to talk. What are your thoughts on stress and physical activity?
Cheers,
LC
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I have to check out when I’m stressed. It took me a long time and a few visits with my therapist, but a lot of my stress comes from fear of failure or fear of doing things wrong.
When I take out the possibility of doing things wrong by lowering expectations and taking a time out – stress goes away and I actually end up being more successful.
Stress makes me freeze – so I have to work at a slower pace to beat it.
Whenever i start to feel stressed/depressed/negative to the extent that i can’t make fun of myself, i like to stop what i’m doing and workout with no agenda or get outside. being outdoors makes me feel small in a good way– a reminder that none of this matters anyway 😉
Oh girl, I couldn’t agree more! Love this post! We could all use a reminder from time to time to just let go and listen to our bodies. You know one thing that I’ve never been able to understand, and I guess I should consider myself fortunate for this, is the problem that people have with rest days. I’m so confused when I see stuff on Twitter and Instagram about people having a difficult time and “not knowing what to do”…like, what do you mean you don’t know what to do?! Don’t do ANYTHING! Sit on the couch and veg, watch tv, read a book, go shopping, paint pottery…whatever the heck you want to do! Lol But I guess that’s just because I’m a “do whatever I feel like” sorta gal when it comes to workouts. I wake up and either go to the gym or I don’t. And if I do, most of the time I don’t have a plan until I get there and make one up! 😉
I’ve been making a conscious effort lately to recognize the things I DO stress out about though and am really proud of myself for making some cuts in my life where they were needed…starting with decreasing my posting on the blog throughout the week. When I sat down and got “real” with myself about it, I realized that I was stressing entirely too much about it. And I never want my posts to come across as forced. I can already tell a difference! The post I just finished typing for tomorrow took no time at all…whereas it usually takes me hours to find the words! Heather 1, stress bucket 0!! 😀
I could not agree more friend! and I love that you are NURTURING YOU first! i can so tell in your writing. Yes, i read ALL but can’ comment on ALL. Trying to be better at just doing what i can there. Love ya and thanks for the best comment EVER!
This is such a great post. I find the more I stress about stress, the more stressed I become…it’s such a sad viscous cycle that you nailed.
I know. So guilty here! but i am becoming more aware. Phew!
I’m catching up and I agree that stress adds up and can impact everything. When life gets too busy, you might need to cut back on training to prevent issues – something that can be hard. 🙂
I love this! You are so inspiring, Lindsay. I have definitely been feeling the stress lately and I need to SLOW down a bit…thanks for the motivation 🙂
I have been guilty of stressing over stress. In the big picture, having faith that things will happen as they should helps . . . but it’s the never-ending list of small stupid stuff that gets me worked up.
I have been climbing Mount Everest for the past 3 years and boy has it been a tough climb, but I am pretty flipping awesome (if I do say so myself? lol) because I rarely need extra oxygen!! – How’s that for a metaphor for my life LOL!
I think you’re right in that it just really depends on the person as far as exercise during stressful times or not. Hindsight is 20/20, and I can see that last year, I was so unhappy in my job that I was completely overdoing it with exercise. I wish I’d known better, but I also don’t know how else I would’ve relieved the stress I had. Now I know better – exercise is sometimes exactly what I need to relieve stress and I’ve learned my boundaries, along with other “coping” mechanisms that will have the same affect that I need.
I hope you continue to feel rested and energized, friend! <3
When I’m stressed, all I want to do is exercise, but sometimes my stress is caused by my need to exercise! It’s such a double-edged sword. Over the past few weeks, if I’m stressed with trying to fit things in around a workout… I cancel the workout. My body is also much more appreciative the next day!
oh yes, i get that too. hard to find the balance, but listening is key. agreed
I’m horribly guilty about stressing over stress. I tend to require more sleep and feel physically ill. It causes my chronic ailments to flare, and really.. I don’t want to do anything. I do, however, find that keeping myself to daily stretching helps, as well as very short workouts. (20-30 minutes 2-3 times a week in addition to my daily bike commuting as cardio.) They are enough to help balance out the stress reactions on a hormonal level and keep me physically feeling good, without feeling the additional burdens of overworking my body or as using exercise as one more escape mechanism. I also find that social occasions are prone to causing more stress, so I strive to err in favor of rest rather than staying out late.
Thanks for the fantastic, and incredibly timely post!
i can definitely relate friend! rest up
I am one of those weird people that NEED to run and/or workout to “shed” my stress – but totally understand your need for some serious unwinding and R&R!
So glad you are feeling “MARVELOUS and RESTED” Lindsay!
I am someone who turns to exercise and fitness to relieve stress but despite that, there ARE times when we need the physical rest to deal with that stress. Knowing that balance is challenging.
I run for stress relieve, but only up to a point. That is something I learned when I saw a dead cat lying in the woods on our way to school. I thought it was one of ours, and got all stressed out. I couldn’t run if I tried!
oh no! that’s never good.
Great post! When I am stressed I find taking a step back from tough workouts, a good book and early bed time are the best fixes. There’s a n Irish proverb that says a good laugh and good sleep are the cures for everything and I swear by it!
I love this post!! I am the same exact way! When I stress over things or my anxiety levels rise, I want to rest. My mind says go work out and do something physical that will distract me but my body says rest.
The older I get the more I struggle with it. I will be 40 next year and it’s not even the number that bothers me, it’s how my body has changed from being 20. Heck even 30!
Thank you for sharing!
Could not agree more! I spent a long time doing “all the right things” i.e. working out consistently, eating perfectly healthy, working a conventional job but I was still SO stressed out. When I realized I needed to make my mental health a priority things started to fall into place.
After I injured myself I was pretty sad and feeling super low but my doctor gave me the best advice, laugh more and relax. I could not thank her more and while my body still isn’t functioning at 100% I am wayyyyy happier so whatevs!
Lately, baking has been my way to rest and breathe 🙂
I completely agree with this. I tend to overfill my plate with everything and never take a “rest” day. In fact, it did end up taking its toll because I came down with a case of bronchitis late last week. It took me into the weekend, and FORCED me to rest. I took a look at the end of the weekend and while I am still sick, I’m actually more rested than I have been in weeks. Sometimes we don’t listen to our bodies until our bodies make us listen.
OMG did you write this w/ me in mind??!! So me!! So much stress & anxiety lately over things I can do anything about and usually working out does help me w/ the stress but you make an awesome point. It’s not helping as much lately as previously which makes me say GRRR HAHAH!!! I think maybe I need to just rest, pray, & breathe. I really need to start doing yoga sheesh… haven’t I said that b4 lol. Thanks friend this was what I needed to here. So sharing too! 🙂
yes friend, yoga will so help! i just know it
I am working on learning how to let things go… Holding on to things/situations and people- has lead to a year of constant stress. I just wish I could find that missing link- because I know that I do most of the “stressing” to myself.. and I could probably save myself a whole lot of suffering. Generally working out is a stress reliever for me, but it definitely lost its touch for a while. I was just so down that nothing really helped at a certain point. I was so emotionally drained and stressed that it was a project to get out of bed and get to work in the morning. I had to let working out go out of my life for a little while to attempt to focus on the shifts going on. But now as certain things have resolved and that the weather is getting warmer I have been falling back into using exercise as a coping mechanism. Though I have to admit I’m still just as stressed, haha. I’m a lost case! 😉 But I agree, laughter is good for everything!
Great post my friend!
It’s funny how different we all are and one thing that works for one person does the complete opposite for the other.
I’ve been super duper stressed later, but luckily last week everything fell into place perfectly and I’m much more at peace now. It’s a great feeling when the stress is no longer building up.
So happy to hear you are feeling better!
i’m so glad you are better and back to blogging. 😉 Balance is hard work, yes?
A timely reminder. Sometimes my running helps with my stress levels by giving me time out to work through issues in my head without other distractions. But sometimes, especially when I’m pushing too hard and running many k’s, it contributes to it. Although I run for fun and health I also run to race and its hard to let go of that (yes, typical type A personality). But sometimes, when life seems to be falling apart around me and work and family stress build up around me, I have to let go of my running goals for a little while or I fall apart. I rested last week too – hamstring tear meant forced time out – but for once I appreciated it as it allowed me to cope better with a major family upheaval.
Oh gosh, do I know this: stress over stress! that’s the worst feeling!! And we clearly share this ‘trait’ don’t we? I am so glad you recognized it and took a step back and reset. It really helps. My unintentional reset was from the flu, but it made me realize how much i VALUE being healthy and not to take that for granted and go, go, go. Value being healthy by giving it rest too, even when it feels so good to go, go, go SOMEtimes. xoxo
Good for you, Lindsay! I’ve recently been feeling quite similarly – almost as if I were overtraining, although I definitely am not. As silly as it seems, I think the stress of trying to open my own business has been wearing on me … and my old habits of working 80+ hour weeks die hard. So yesterday, I committed to a friend (and myself!) that I’m going to stop working by 10pm every day, no matter what. AND I’m going to take 1 hour between 8am and 10pm to do whatever I want – nap, go for a walk, read a book, whatever … guilt free! I think this will be awesome for me, and I am going to do my best to stick to it!
YUP, I get the stress thing!!!! I am so glad you took time away for you!!! So important! What is good for one is not always good for another as we always say! Some work out to relieve stress & others need to just get away! Hawaii would be good for me! 😉
The weights are good for me – I work it out – not so much that cardio but I do it! 😉
With the stress right now, it is the social media that I have to manage – that is hard! 🙂
boo stress!! I have been very stressed the past few weeks, wait months!! but since I passed by ace test that stress is off. But now dealing with the stress of moving…looking into a new place. Working on paperwork now…ahhh the stress never ends.
We are all different, so whatever helps someone de-stress in a healthy way I am 100% supportive of it. For me it is usually yoga. I find that I heal a lot on my mat. I learn so much about myself during yoga…yes I cry, yes I smile, and sometimes I even laugh, but it feels good and works for me. XOXO
The title is so very true – I have lost more hours of sleep than I care to think about because of stressing about the stress!!!
Glad you feel rested and energized after your rest week!
Love this post. Yes, I struggled with that this very morning…maybe my body DIDN’T need the exercise to deal with stress but instead needed more reflection and DOWN TIME. We are fragile.
You already know how I feel about this post. I’m trying so hard to just listen to my body right now and I’m hoping I can chill the heck out this week and finally figure it out a little! Thank you always for all of your help xoxo
Running is my stress release although I have a tendency to over do it. The past few weeks I have been dealing with stress by engaging with people. Lots of laughs, lots of good food and great company.
Great Great post!! You look to publish all these great ideas & theories. That book would be a number 1 seller 😉 I’m learning lately that I get more stressed out if things are busy that week but I tell myself I need to “run x amount of miles” It’s always a battle for me because I love to plan my workouts ahead of time but after a few rough days last week I need to remember to listen to my body. Fresh air & yoga always help get rid of stress or just sitting on the couch drinking coffee hehehe
Need to publish***
Praying for you, Linds. I get the stress thing. I think it’s great that you have learned what is best for YOU and your body. I think for me, it depends on the type of stress I’m experiencing. Sometimes it does just feel good to let it all out on a run, but other times, my body just needs some down time and overall REST. Enjoy resting! xoxo
Wow!! Great post my dear, and I am SO proud of you for listening to your body and knowing what is best for YOU! What a blessing to respond, and feel so much better this week! The way you balance your life, and how in-tune you are with your physical and emotion health is so inspiring!!
This is such an important topic! I think most of us forget that we need a holistic viewpoint. Any one element gets out of balance and something in our bodies will give. By taking a stressor out when you needed it, you were self preserving. Well done!
I love this and love you for sharing this. I typically need my workouts when I’m really stressed out because it helps me work through some of that. But this past weekend? I slept for 12 hours instead. I could have slept all day. I was planning on getting up to swim but knew my body just needed the down time. xox
Yeah, I use some workouts for stress management. Running is a big one that occupies my brain. I have to focus on where I am at that moment with I run, so that seems to be the best one for stress management. I’m not an emotional eater, I’m an emotional non-eater, so I have to me mindful of proper nutrition during stressful times. I don’t think there’s a right or wrong answer to if you manage stress with exercise or not, but I think it can get out of hand if you have an addicted personality. There has to be a limit and you have to be smart about how it works for you. It can’t take over your life. Ultimately, you still have to deal with the stress…
I can relate to this. I struggle with stress and anxiety – some of it is from my job but I also think some of it is the anxiety of getting my workout in every day. I’ve tried to get better at being ok with taking a rest day each week, but it’s still hard to do.
I am glad you rested! I am always encouraged when others can step away from training/exercise and say this is OK, actually this is what my mind and body NEEDS. I also needed a little break last week, mentally and physically. I know I need to cut the training if it is not fun, if I am not looking forward to it, if I am overly tired (physically or mentally).
Great post Lindsey and glad you got to de-stress some! I am one of those that feel less stressed after a workout however my body does not always agree. I’ve learned that I need more than one rest day a week and sometimes several for my body to be healthy. So important to listen to our bodies and manage our stress!
I think stress is all about knowing your body. I seek release form stress with intense cardio. Sweating and getting that “empty feeling” like after a run or hot yoga class does wonders for my mind and body. But with everything, it’s easy to overdo it. You just need to listen to your body and know what is and is not good for it and go with that 🙂
Ugh, my number one reaction to stress is to eat. Emotional eater much? I’ve been really trying to be aware of if I’m actually hungry, or if I’m just eating to eat. I find that exercise is great for my stress/anxiety, but unfortunately I can’t do that right now with my knee injury so I’ve been stressing about that! Vicious cycle 😉
oh you KNOW I feel you… I’m so glad you took time for YOU. Stress breaks my body down too… especially my gut!
Great post! A leisurely walk outdoors is my favorite way to “rest,” as I can escape from electronics and work to take in fresh air and nature while also getting my blood flowing a bit. I always come home recharged and peaceful… 🙂
Fabulous post, Lindsey!! This is exactly the type of realization I am having about my own stressors and needs right now. It’s so important to reflect and really consider whether exercise is a negative or a positive factor for managing your stress. In the last few weeks, it wasn’t for me….so that’s why I’ve been cutting back. I applaud you for listening to your body. Here’s to being well rested, and less stressed!!
I so totally get why you closed comments – when you need a bread you need to take it, and I’m so glad you did!
I was wondering why you closed the comments – brilliant move!
Stress literally hurt my body. When I am going through extreme stress, my IBS acts up like crazy. Hard workouts like TRX just aggravate it, so during those times, I stick to long walks and yoga. I truly believe we get to an age where we finally know what’s best for OUR body and mind.
amen to that!
i LOVED that you closed the comments…I actually don’t know how to do that – ??
LOL! it’s at the bottom of the page in Wordpress post. Option to close comments and have trackbacks.
Love this Gorgeous. I sometimes need a brak from intense workouts myself. It’s good for ours bodies and souls! And walking, laughing and spending time with family – well that’s happiness.
Such an awesome post girl!! LOVE it. I take a rest day religiously every weekend and my body would definitely break down without it. AND, I also get the same way when I’m stresses out at work. Sometimes backing off training a bit is exactly what fixes it. I’m glad you’re feeling better now! 🙂
I love that you brought up the topic of exercise being a stressor for the body, because it’s one I don’t think a lot of people recognize. A good sweat session can definitely help me clear my head when I’m feeling overly anxious, but I’m pretty sure that rest and working on relaxation techniques helps me more in the long run… I fell victim to overtraining in the past, and not only did I do a real number on my adrenal system, but trying to fit in workouts and schedule my day around them was causing me a huge amount of stress as well. Eek.
Glad to hear that you’re feeling better this week 🙂
Glad you managed to rest most days of last week. I adore your trail photos- so peaceful!
For me, exercise is one of my biggest stress relievers. But, that doesn’t mean it has to be intense exercise. A walk with the hubby and dog always does wonders.
P.S. Just read a few of those links- awesome- thank you for sharing!
Your title total resonated with me this morning (let’s be honest your posts usually do). But yesterday I was in tears looking at my calendar. I was overwhelmed with all of work engagements, training needs, and family obligations I have coming up. And I felt exhausted. I was stressing about stress.
I needed to step back. Breathe and break it down.
Amazing how we can stress over stress itself making things even worse for ourselves. I do think that physical activity can stress the system more when you’re already at a certain stress level. I can usually tell when that’s happening b/c workouts seem so much harder than they should be.
Glad you took some time off and relaxed! I struggle with stress and handling it all the time. I’ve been really focused on trying to relax but even when I stress it goes over in my running as well. It’s a tough battle!
I totally agree! Sometimes we just need a good rest!
darn you, this is all pointing at me 🙂 Actually last night I finally started looking up some things and agreed begrudgingly that ok maybe I have some adrenal fatigue. I think mine is more from overthinking than overdoing. so I’m working on it 🙂 and off to read more articles
ahhh I get this.
for me STRESS = my bod needs REST.
lots.
not more movement…maybe more CRANUIUM WORKOUTS in the form of reading 🙂 but thats it.
Very apt post for me to read today! I think it’s a tricky one – sometimes the thought of ‘having’ to work out causes stress, and certainly I’ve learned that if I’m tired from mental or physical stress to lay off the exercise. But, like today, I knew going for a walk with a few endorphin-boosting sprints would do me some good – and it did!
So glad you feel so much better! I have had many times I have felt on the verge of tears this year so far as I felt the same way you described!
For me, in some ways exercising/running helped, but in others, it was almost making it worse as it takes up so much of my time. That being said, one of the good things about running alone every day is that it gives me the me time to think, organize my day, and then get out of my head and enjoy being in nature.
Glad you were able to step back…..I may be reaching that point this week too….
physical activity relaxes me… not necessarily high intensity workouts, but more being outside, in nature, walking, feeling the sun and breeze!
Love this! Sorry your stress got to the point where it was breaking you down. For me, working out is a destressor to a point. But yes, I too have found a point where it breaks me down. Hope things have settled down for you my friend.
well i’d say it almost broke me, but i took action, make sense? because i’ve been there before. And now i feel much better. Crazy how different we all respond, ya know? Thanks for the love. I appreciate YOU
ahhhhhhh such a great post, love. i think there are SO many different ways to manage stress. i like to cry. when i let it all out i feel SO MUCH BETTER. it’s my way of just dealing with stuff and i always feel so much better. weight lifting also definitely helps me and turning to God, too.
Amen. I think my past with under-eating and over-exercising has taken a toll on my body, and now I’ve significantly decreased the intensity of my workouts, but I still think I may need to take a more serious hiatus soon. Stressing over stress is also what makes me crazy for sure. The more I think about what COULD be, the more I stress out. I feel much better when I just accept how things ARE, and how I can make the best out of it.
Honestly, training can become stressful for me. It’s something that at some point can take a backseat so I can press the “reset” button on other things that are affecting me negatively. I have reason to believe that I fall into bad training habits when I can’t give training the attention it deserves.
I don’t know that physical activity is necessarily my one key to stress relief. What I do know is that it prevents stress, and can rarely cause stress. If that makes any sense. 😉
totally makes sense! and training can be stressful when you can’t execute when you want. One day at a time friend. always here for ya!
Lindsay, you and I must be on the same page this week!! I was thinking about stress a lot, too! It’s a hard thing to get rid of, but it’s so freeing when you do!
I would say that physical activity is my stress reliever. It doesn’t have to be an intense form, anything from walking, yoga, cardio, strength etc.
I am not a very stressed person, but when it does hit, I usually get extra introverted, which drives my husband a bit nutzo!
Been there and done that right about the time we connected! I wish I would have known and I would have been there for you like you were (and are) for me! Now it’s my turn to say, “let’s chat!” 🙂
ahh you are the best! all is good now. But still would love to chat. <3
See I think it’s different for every person and it also depends on the situation or what is triggering the stress. You’re smart though and you obviously know yourself and your body well, so good for you for listening!
to each their own. And i think for moms, a workout helps. Totally different for each stage of life, yes?
One more thing…finally understanding how my body breaks down under stress is a huge game changer and will result in a total shift in my perspective on EVERYTHING. Can’t wait to read your resources! xoxoxo
I absolutely use exercise as a way to manage my stress. It really helps me keep my head in check by giving me an outlet. I also find meditation helps along with great, big, bouts of doing nothing more challenging than reheating dinner and relaxing on the couch. When I get stressed I back away from my “get all the things done” customs and chill out. It always helps and somehow things end up getting done anyway. Maybe not exactly when I wanted it to happen, but it does eventually happen. Great post.
I have so much to say on this topic right now I really wish we could go for coffee. I will leave my comments at heck yes. I have known this about myself but have refused to admit it. My last few weeks have been sobering.
GREAAAT post buddy- and something I am actually working on. I tend to over stress minor situations which in turn, affects EVERYTHING- diet, exercise, work.
Need to take a hefty memo from this. Big love.
ahhh stress.. can reek havoc on our little bodies and yet we keep stressing more that it’s doing that! Been trying to take deep breaths throughout the day and my workouts to help with this but sometimes it’s inevitable!
Funny about the comments turned off last week… I kept thinking- oh something’s wrong with her blog today!
Glad you took some time off & did what works for you. That’s the most important thing. If you were to ask me what helps me deal w/ stress 2 years ago when I was running marathons & working out daily, I’d answer workouts. However since being sidelined & dealing with hormonal inbalances, my answer would be the complete opposite. What works for me is cuddling with my husband, laughing, walking, playing w/ Roxy, enjoying what life has to offer, baking, and really just escaping the world of commotion.