Vaibhav Somani, Director , Gravolite

More than ever before we have come to realise the importance of holistic health which comprises of the physical, mental, emotional and spiritual well being. With temperatures soaring in most places, limited interactions with others, work from home, added pressures due to the pandemic, one is bound to feel agitated and restless.

But it is also important to remember that one needs to practice any form of discipline to remain healthy in everyway. This is where physical exercises come to the rescue as it not only shapes your body but also your mind. In the words of Joseph Pilates, “ Physical fitness is the first prerequisite of happiness.”And a happy self is a combination of both physical and mental stability. Good health does not only comprise of absence of disease but also inlcudes healthy practices like mindfullness, healthy eating, balancing thoughts and reactions and a calm way of handling chaos. So here are a few summer exercise which will make you feel fit and calm at the same time.

Stretching 

Stretching loosens tight muscles which help in improving the muscle’s elasticity and achieve comfortable muscle tone. Stretching releases muscle tension and allows your muscles to let go of where you are carrying stress, helping you to relax and sleep better. For best results you should spend 60 seconds on each streching exercise you choose.

Jogging 

Jogging is an aerobic cardiovascular exercise that can do a lot of good for your overall health. Jogging regularly helps in sending more nourishing blood to the brain and helps you think more clearly. Jogging helps train the mind as it helps you concentrate on your body’s movements. Whether u can run in a park or jog at home, the chemicals released during and after jogging can help people feel calmer and peaceful.

Jumping jacks 

Jumping Jack is a calisthenics workout that releases happy hormones into our body- endorphins, thus reducing stress and the presumption of mental pain. Jumping jacks are a type of full-body exercise and have a lot of benefits like control and maintainence of body pressure & prevention of the onset of stroke or heart attack, reducing depression ans stress.

Skipping 

As children, I am sure most of us must have used a skipping rope during our playtime. Well, skipping rope is easya nd effective exercise. Once you find your rhythm, you will realise that it is much easier to concentrate on it. Visualise image of whatever is causing you the stress. Since skipping combines cardio and aerobic exercises, this exercise will bring about the desired changes if done consistently.

Deep Breathing

We never really think about our breath since its such a natural phenomena but deep breathing exercise can make you feel so calm and also helps in reducing the stress and anxiety. By breathing slowly and deeply, you signal your nervous system to calm down and takes your focus off whatever is running in your mind. It also helps you slower the heart rate, decrease blood pressure, increase nitric oxide in the blood to relax muscles, and also improve the attention span. 

All of these exercise benefits can ease your stress levels and give you a sense of command over your body and your life. Practicing exercise regularly can make you feel more confident, help you relax, improve your mood, and lower symptoms of stress and depression. Exercise also helps in improving your sleep cycle, which is often disrupted by stress, depression, and anxiety. Eventually it is the choices that you make in your daily life which will help you maintain the peace of mind and a healthy body is one of them.