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Strength training, or resistance training, can have a significant impact on stress management and overall psychological well-being. Regular strength exercises not only strengthen muscles and bones but also reduce stress levels, improve mood, and boost self-esteem. Strength workouts stimulate the production of various hormones, including endorphins, which naturally enhance mood and reduce feelings of pain. Additionally, improving physical fitness and strength can increase self-confidence and self-efficacy, helping to cope with psychological stress and challenges.

It is recommended to incorporate strength training into your routine 2—3 times per week, allowing muscles time to recover between sessions. This allows adequate stimulation for muscle growth and strength without overtraining.

Specific Exercises for Individual Practice:

Squats:

Stand straight with feet shoulder-width apart.

Slowly bend your knees, lowering down as if sitting on a chair, until your thighs are parallel to the floor. Ensure your knees do not extend past your toes. Return to the starting position slowly by straightening your legs. Perform 3 sets of 10—15 repetitions.

Push-ups:

Start in a plank position with your hands directly under your shoulders. Slowly lower your body down until your chest or stomach almost touches the floor. Use the strength of your arms to push yourself back up to the plank position. Perform 3 sets of 8—12 repetitions. If too difficult, start from your knees.

Bent-over Dumbbell Row:

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, bend forward from the hips with a straight back, one hand can be placed on a bench or knee for support. Holding a dumbbell in the free hand, pull it up to the side of your torso, squeezing the back muscles and shoulder blades. Slowly lower the dumbbell back down. Perform 3 sets of 10—12 repetitions on each arm.

Calf Raises:

Stand straight with feet shoulder-width apart; you can hold onto a stable support for balance. Slowly rise onto your toes, tensing the calf muscles. Slowly lower back down to the floor. Perform 3 sets of 15—20 repetitions.

Plank:

Lie face down then rise onto your forearms and toes. Your body should form a straight line from head to heels. Hold this position, engaging your abdominal muscles to prevent sagging in the lower back. Start with holding the position for 20—30 seconds and gradually increase to 1 minute. Perform 3 sets.

Integrating Strength Training into Daily Life:

For those new to strength training, it’s important to start gradually and maintain proper technique to avoid injury. Begin with light weights or even bodyweight exercises, gradually increasing the load as your muscles strengthen and your form improves. The benefits of strength training for stress management include:

Better handling of the physical demands of everyday life. Increased endorphin levels create a sense of euphoria and improve mood, often referred to as a «runner’s high.»

Regular workouts can stabilize mood and reduce stress.

Physical activity promotes deeper and more restorative sleep.

Achieving goals in training can improve your self-confidence and ability to control various aspects of life.

Advanced Exercises and Techniques:

Once you’ve incorporated strength training into your regular routine, you can begin experimenting with different types of exercises and equipment to keep the workouts interesting and challenging. Below are some additional strategies and exercises to include for variety and further stress management improvement:

Deadlift:

Stand with feet shoulder-width apart, a barbell in front of you on the ground. Bend at the hips and knees, lean forward and grab the barbell. Keep your back straight and look forward. Lift the barbell by straightening your legs and standing up fully. Slowly lower the barbell back to the ground, controlling the movement. Perform 3 sets of 6—8 repetitions.

Bench Press:

Lie on a bench, feet firmly on the floor, barbell on racks above your chest. Lift the barbell off the racks, slowly lower it to your chest. Ensure the barbell is controlled and touches your chest gently. Press the barbell back up until your arms are fully extended. Perform 3 sets of 8—10 repetitions.

Pull-ups:

Grab a pull-up bar with a wide grip, arms extended. Pull your body up until your chin is above the bar.

Slowly lower yourself back to the starting position. Perform 3 sets of as many repetitions as you can with proper technique.

Tips for Integration and Maintaining Motivation

Keep a training journal. This can help you track progress and set realistic goals for improvement.

Set realistic goals. Start small and gradually increase the complexity and intensity of the workouts.

Find a workout partner as pairing up can boost your motivation and make workouts more interesting and fun.

Regularly change your routine as changing exercises, intensity, and even training locations can help avoid boredom and stimulate further progress.

Strength training offers comprehensive benefits for both physical and psychological health, making it an indispensable part of a stress management program. Gradually incorporating these exercises into your daily routine can help build a strong, resilient, and healthy body prepared to handle the stresses of modern life.