Ideas & Trends

I'm sure by now you've heard about the benefits of exercise. I guess that's kind of like asking if you've heard about the health risks of smoking. Anyway, exercise has a TON of health benefits including stress reduction! So when you're fretting over the seating chart and wondering who'll get stuck sitting next to Uncle Joe, well, I suggest you drop what you're doing and get your bridal butt moving!

I talked to the very distinguished, intelligent, and handsome health expert, Dr. Alex Kraft (who also happens to be my husband and would be happy to help you formulate your very own health regimen if you live in the Seattle area, btw) to get the scoop on how exercise can help lower your wedding planning stress.

According to Dr. Kraft, exercise decreases Cortisol levels in the body-which is a good thing apparently-because when we're chronically stressed (anything over a couple of hours) we produce a low level of Cortisol, which makes us feel anxious and agitated.

"In the wild, animals get stressed if they're being chased or about to get eaten. Their natural instinct is to run away. The act of running actually helps them process the stress hormone and in this case it's a good thing--it's needed for survival. But the difference between acute stress in animals and chronic stress in humans is that we humans don't get that same opportunity to run our stress off, so the stress hormone builds up and causes long-term health effects" said my hunky husband, er, I mean Dr. Kraft. Isn't he so smart?

Aside from lowering cortisol levels, Dr. Kraft also noted that exercising produces endorphins--the body's natural pain killers, mood enhancers, and anti-depressants (sounds fun, eh?). This is why exercising makes us feel so good!

Are you convinced yet? If not, I came across 59 other reasons (courtesy of busywomensfitness.com) why you should exercise:

• Increases overall energy.
• Improves digestion.
• Enhances quality of sleep.
• Adds a sparkle and radiance to complexion.
• Improves body shape.
• Tones and firms muscles.
• Provides more muscular definition.
• Enables weight loss and keeps it off.
• Makes you limber.
• Improves endurance.
• Burns extra calories.
• Improves circulation and helps reduce blood pressure.
• Increases lean muscle tissue in the body.
• Improves appetite for healthy foods.
• Alleviates menstrual cramps.
• Alters and improves muscle chemistry.
• Increases metabolic rate.
• Enhances coordination and balance.
• Improves posture.
• Eases and possibly eliminates back problems and pain.
• Makes the body use calories more efficiently.
• Lowers resting heart rate.
• Increases muscle size through an increase in muscle fibers.
• Improves body composition.
• Increases body density.
• Decreases fat tissue more easily.
• Makes body more agile.
• Is the greatest body tune-up.
• Reduces joint discomfort.
• Improves athletic performance.
• Enriches sexuality.
• May add a few years to life.
• Increases your range of motion.
• Enhances immune system.
• Improves glycogen storage.
• Enables the body to utilize energy more efficiently.
• Increases enzymes in the body which burn fat.
• Reduces depression by releasing endorphins
• Increases Strength & Stamina
• Reduces the Risk of Breast Cancer by up to 60%
• Increases Mental Focus
• Increases Self-Esteem
• Increases the number and size of mitochondria in muscle cells.
• Increases concentration of myoglobin (carries oxygen in muscles) in skeletal muscles.
• Enhances oxygen transport throughout the body.
• Improves liver functioning.
• Increases speed of muscle contraction and reaction time.
• Enhances feedback through the nervous system.
• Strengthens the heart.
• Improves blood flow.
• Helps to alleviate varicose veins.
• Increases maximum cardiac output.
• Increases contractility of the heart's ventricles.
• Increases the weight and size of the heart.
• Improves contractile function of the whole heart.
• Makes calcium transport in the heart and body more efficient.

That should do it. Now get out there and shake it, ladies! (Yes, like a polaroid picture.) Go dancin' with the girls, get your butt to the gym, walk your dog, go for a hike--whatever--just get that body movin' if you need to let off some wedding planning steam! I'll bet you'll return to your wedding duties with a clearer head. You might even find the perfect seating arrangement--or not.