Being stressed can have adverse effects on your body which can in-turn impact your performance at your strength training sessions.
While working out can decrease levels of anxiety, and overall make you feel great! It has no real impact in reducing stress.
Stress is oftentimes mistaken with feeling anxious, exhausted, or having a couple rough days but most of those things are side-effects of the stress itself.
Cortisol, commonly known as the ‘stress hormone’, helps with regulating your immune health, nervous system, mental health, and metabolism. Cortisol is good in limited quantities, but an excess in cortisol can have real implications on your body. This is why stress management is important. Here are some ways you can manage your stress:
Practice mindfulness
Meditation/ journaling
Prioritizing rest/ sleep
Supplementing vitamins
Visiting a doctor or therapist for medical diagnosis
When your body is consistently in a high state of stress for long periods of time it can impact your health, your stamina, your energy, and your mental health. It can also affect your muscle gains and strength. High-levels of stress can cause:
A decrease is muscle protein synthesis
Impact your ability to lose or gain weight due to insulin resistance
A decrease in growth hormones
Therefore, it is important to incorporate stress management tools as part of your training program to help you keep those progress & gains.
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