Work Out Stress after Bariatric Surgery

Posted: Mar 11 in Weight Loss Blog by Staff

If you let it build to unmanageable levels, stress can dramatically hinder your attempts to lose weight. When stressed out, you will be more likely to give in to bad habits like emotional eating, or to skip workouts and healthy cooking as you grapple with your anxieties.

Because stress can be so problematic, techniques like progressive muscle relaxation and deep breathing are highly valuable after weight loss surgery. But if a time crunch forces you to choose between one of these activities and a trip to the gym, it may be wise to pick the latter. In addition to its role in weight maintenance, exercise is one of the most powerful stress relievers we have available to us. Sometimes, all you’ll need to calm down after gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or gastric band in Ft. Myers or Naples is to sweat out your stress with a good old fashioned workout.

Stress and Exercise: The Connection

Exercise has a positive influence on the health of your whole body, but it can also have a dramatic effect on your state of mind. When you exercise, your brain begins to produce more endorphins, which provide us with a feel-good sensation often referred to as a “runner’s high.” Regardless of the kind of exercise you’re doing, this endorphin boost can improve your mood and make you feel more energetic.

Any form of exercise can also be highly meditative. As you tune in to the movements and sensations of your body, focusing on the activity at hand, it becomes easy to forget the troubles of the day. This means that devoting more of your time to exercise can help you stay clear-minded in everything you do. Regular exercise will also help you sleep better, which will further eliminate stress and anxiety from your life.

Exercising for Stress Relief

Because just about any physical activity will reduce stress, your existing exercise routine is already helping you keep stress levels under control. You need to exercise consistently to keep weight off after gastric bypass, sleeve gastrectomy or gastric band surgery, so the best activities will be those you enjoy, ones that keep you motivated to stay active every day.

However, some activities are even more effective at keeping stress levels low. Yoga, tai chi and qigong all combine meditation and movement to give you even better stress-busting benefits. Though these exercises can be intimidating to novices, many gyms and studios in your area may offer classes that help you get acquainted with them.

Has exercise improved your stress levels after sleeve gastrectomy, gastric bypass or gastric band in Ft. Myers or Naples? Tell us about your experience in the comments below!