A Stressful Day

Alright, Leading Ladies, let’s talk straight—life’s been a lot for me lately, hitting hard from all sides and leaving me a stressed-out mess. But this post isn’t about wallowing in the drama (though trust me, I could!). Instead, I’m here to share what got me through one of those rough days—and how it can help you too.

After a big, ugly cry—because sometimes you just need to let it all out—I dragged myself up, even though I so didn’t feel like it. I knew I needed to move my body. So, I cranked up my music—hard, angry tunes that matched my mood—and got to work. I pushed through 20 minutes of high-intensity cardio, sweating like a beast, then went heavy on the legs. By the end, my a** was beat, and I was breathless.

But here’s the magic: how did I feel after? Calmer, happier, hopeful, and at peace. No, the stress didn’t vanish—life’s still a lot—but I felt better able to handle it. My mind got a break, giving it space to process and come up with ideas and solutions. And honestly? It just felt good.

Why It Works

So why does this work? Let’s break it down.

Endorphins: Your Natural Stress Zapper
Exercise gets your body to release endorphins—those feel-good chemicals that act like a natural stress zapper. Get this—studies, like a 2023 one in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, show exercise can sometimes work better than antidepressants for lifting your mood and tackling anxiety. It’s a natural, side-effect-free way to feel stronger, often beating out meds over time!

Cortisol: Channeling Stress Energy
It also helps release cortisol, that pesky stress hormone, by channeling pent-up stress energy into your workout, leaving you calmer when you step away. Side note: Exercise does double duty—it calms your body’s stress response right after a workout and makes you more resilient over time by preventing the buildup of chronic stress, so you can handle life’s curveballs better.

Body and Brain Boost
Deep breathing while you move kicks in your parasympathetic nervous system—that’s your body’s chill mode—helping you relax even more. And focusing on big muscle movements, like working out your legs, burns more energy, cranking up that endorphin rush and tackling cortisol even faster. Plus, it boosts blood flow to your brain, helping you think clearer and feel more in control, and gives your mind a breather, letting you find a little peace in the chaos.

Mind Magic: Subconscious Solutions
Here’s a bit of brain science for you: when you step away from your stress and move your body, your subconscious keeps working on solutions. That’s thanks to your brain’s default mode network—it’s like a backstage crew that processes emotions and problems while you’re busy sweating, often leading to those ‘aha!’ moments of clarity. When the DMN is active—during activities like daydreaming or exercising—it allows your subconscious to work, giving it space to make connections and spark fresh insights. You’ve had those great ideas in the shower, right? A 2023 Scientific American article backs this up, showing it’s the same when you’re doing the dishes. It’s not just the sweating—it’s about busying your mind elsewhere, and sweating it out is a great ‘elsewhere’ because of all those other benefits we talked about.

Your Turn to Move

So, when you’re at that point where you feel like you can’t deal with one more thing—when you’re just done—here’s what I want you to do. Feel the feels—honor your emotions, and before you begin looping or dwelling (remember that 90-second idea?)—get up and move! Go as hard as you’re able—work up a sweat, get out of breath, and release it all into your workout. You’ll feel better, think clearer, and find a little peace in the storm.

Go hard, Leading Lady, and let that sweat beat the stress right out of you.

Ready For More?

This workout was a game-changer for me, and it’s just one piece of living with intention and unstoppable wellness. Want to dive deeper into a life that feels as good as that post-sweat glow? SPBTV – Your Holistic Living Network and my Leading Lady Virtual Experience is coming soon—get on the waitlists to learn more about my programs and start transforming your life!

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