Parents undergo a whole lot of stress throughout the day. Getting sleepy and moody kids ready for school in the mornings, their lunchboxes packed, their homework done. Or feeding a crying baby and trying to get them to sleep when you’ve had next to no sleep yourself. Or preparing a meal for several hungry mouths who all demand something different and refuse to eat their veg. And doing all this while potentially holding down a demanding job.

It’s no wonder parents often feel more than a little stressed out!

But what can be done to combat this stress that doesn’t involve huge amounts of money or trips to the therapist's office?

That’s where movement comes in.

Why does moving my body help with stress?

Moving your body helps to combat stress for three distinct reasons, and they are as follows:

When our minds and bodies are triggered by something we don’t like, stress hormones linked to our fight, flight, freeze, or ‘freak-out and shout at the kids’ responses are released. When we move and exercise, the level of these hormones is reduced while the neurochemicals that decrease pain and actually heal our bodies are increased. So, more exercise = less stress = less pain and fewer freak-outs.

When we feel triggered, our nervous system feels all tight and funny because it’s waiting for a decision on how to respond. The nervous system wants to know whether to fight, flee, or freeze. But if we do nothing and just sit there, telling ourselves to ignore the feeling, our bodies feel even more uncomfortable.

Our bodies won’t often know the difference between not being able to react and choosing not to react, so even if you’ve chosen the latter, your body may still remain on high-alert status, and thus, the feelings of stress won’t go away. The antidote to this feeling of stress is movement, which diffuses the built-up energy in the nervous system. So, next time you feel one of your triggers has been set off, remember that your body and mind will greatly appreciate you getting up and having a walkabout or a stretch.

And of course, exercise also helps to reduce anxiety and depression and helps us to stay fit and healthy.

So, it would seem movement is a really useful and simple stress-reliever, but how can we do more of it?

How can I start moving my body more to combat stress?

Do what you like. When it comes to exercise, there’s an enormous choice of activities to get on with. You might like the mindfulness of yoga, or maybe you prefer to get your heart pumping with a run. Perhaps lifting weights is your jam, or it could be sweating it out as you squat and lunge. Do you prefer to exercise alongside others at the gym or work out alone at home? Consider the activities that you enjoy best, and how you prefer to do them, and then try to make them a regular occurrence. Exercise and movement are much more enjoyable and stress-relieving if you like what you’re doing.

Try to involve a friend. Sometimes, agreeing to meet a friend you don’t want to let down provides the extra push you need to get out of bed and put your gym gear on when your alarm goes off on a Saturday morning.

Think big and small. Sweating through your vest and getting that heart pumping is one of the very best things you can do to de-stress, but don’t forget about the little movements you can do throughout the day. Standing up from your desk to stretch and reach for your toes, rolling your shoulders back, and walking up and down the stairs a few times a day are all simple, everyday movements that help to calm your mind and body and prevent a parental explosion.

Consider using technology to make it fun. Fitness watches and apps that track your steps and let you set goals can make achieving those exercise targets feel even better, especially when that tiny screen lights up, letting you know you’ve smashed your daily average! Some apps will also let you track the exercise routines of your friends and family, which can help to motivate you if you tend to get a little competitive.

How can moving my body help with stress?

What does exercise do for your psychology?