Commit to a Regular Workout Part 1

See why so many people are becoming ATA members.

Training at Martial Arts schools is about reaching your personal goals in a safe and fun environment. It’s about learning Martial Arts for increased physical ability and mental awareness. It is truly more than just kicking or punching. Its’ about changing a life in a positive training environment.

You’ve tightened your abs, stretched your hamstrings and built your biceps, but have you exercised to build your mental stamina? Exercise helps your body resist stress-related disorders. The brain sends signals to the body to produce adrenaline during stressful situations, but it’s meant to be for short periods of time, not long-term. Long-term exposure to adrenaline causes many physical problems, and can contribute to headaches, digestive problems, colds, high blood pressure, heart disease and even stomach fat!

According to Barbara Brehm-Curtis, EdD, professor of exercise and sport studies at Smith College in Northampton, MA, “If done consistently, physical activity actually reduces your stress reactivity. That means less adrenaline gets released and you don’t get as stressed out by things that used to upset you.”

There are some things you can do to facilitate the stress resistance factors. Choose physical activities, like martial arts, that allow you to have fun! This alters the brain chemistry in a positive way, reducing stress. Playing vigorously has the added benefit of ridding your body of stress-causing hormones such as adrenaline.

Stay tuned for more on Committing to a Regular Workout!