Stress is a normal part of life. Work, financial, and family pressure can make us feel like we are going to explode.
Most of us are distracted by the exterior part of our lives – career problems, peer pressure, etc. – that more often than not, we lose control of the balance we all need. Unfortunately, there is no universal way of handling and releasing stress away from our lives.
The good thing is we are now aware that stress is inevitable, but always reversible. Educating ourselves on how best to help our body not only cope, but reverse the effects of stress is the first step we all must take.
Overeating
Under-eating
Angry outbursts
Drug or alcohol abuse
Increased smoking
Social withdrawal
Crying spells
Relationship conflicts
One of the most important ways to diffuse that stressed out feeling of tension and anxiousness is physical activity. Not all types of physical activity are good for everyone. I recommend to my patients exercise for stress based on blood type.
Blood Type O Stress/Exercise Profile
Exercise is especially critical to the health of Type O’s because the impact of stress is direct and physical. Not only does regular intense exercise elevate your spirits, it enables the Type O to maintain weight control, emotional balance, and a strong self-image. Type O’s respond well to heavy exercise-in nearly every way.
Type O’s who do not express their physical natures with appropriate activity in response to stress are eventually over-whelmed during the exhaustion stage of the stress response. This exhaustion stage is characterized by a variety of psychological manifestations caused by a slower rate of metabolism, such as depression, fatigue, or insomnia. If there is no change, you will leave yourself vulnerable to a number of inflammatory and autoimmune disorders, such as arthritis and asthma, as well as to consistent weight gain and eventual obesity.
Exercise Duration Frequency
Aerobics 40-60 min. 3-4xweek
Swimming 30-45 min. 3-4x week
Jogging 30 min. 3-4x week
Weight Training 30 min. 3x week
Blood Type A Stress/Exercise Profile
Type A’s react to the first stage of stress-the alarm stage-intellectually. Adrenal system is charged and bulbs flash in your brain, producing anxiety, irritability, and hyperactivity. As the stress signals throb in you immune system, you grow weaker. The heightened sensitivity of your nervous system gradually frays your delicate protective antibodies. You’re too weary to fight the infections and bacteria that are waiting to jump in like muggers trailing an intoxicated prey.
If, however, you adopt quieting techniques, such as yoga or meditation, you can achieve great benefits by countering negative stresses with focus and relaxation. Type A’s do not respond well to continuous confrontation, and need to consider and practice the art of stillness as a calming charm.
If Type A’s remain in their naturally tense state, stress can produce heart disease and various forms of cancer. Exercises that provide calm and focus are the remedy that pull the Type A from the grip of stress.
Exercise Duration Frequency
Tai Chi 30-45 min. 3-5x week
Martial Arts 60 min. 2-3x week
Brisk Walking 20-40 min. 2-3x week
Stretching 15 min. 3-5x week
Yoga 30 min. 3-5x week
Blood Type B Stress/Exercise Profile
The Type B response to stress represents a balance of the nervous mental activity of Type A and the more physically aggressive reactions of Type O.
As a Type B, you confront stress very well for the most part, because you blend more easily into unfamiliar situations. You’re less confrontational than Type O’s, but more physically charged than Type As.
Type B’s do well with exercises that are neither too aerobically intense nor completely aimed at mental relaxation. the ideal balance for many Type B’s consists of moderate activities that involve other-people-such as group hiking, biking excursions, the less aggressive martial arts, tennis, and aerobics classes. You don’t do well when the sport is fiercely competitive-such as squash, football, or basketball.
Exercise Duration Frequency
Aerobics 45-60 min. 3x week
Tennis 45-60 min. 3x week
Hiking 30-60 min. 3x week
Brisk Walking 30-60 min. 3x week
Blood Type AB Stress/Exercise Profile
Type AB’s react to the first stage of stress-the alarm stage-intellectually. Adrenal system is charged and bulbs flash in your brain, producing anxiety, irritability, and hyperactivity. As the stress signals throb in you immune system, you grow weaker. The heightened sensitivity of your nervous system gradually frays your delicate protective antibodies. You’re too weary to fight the infections and bacteria that are waiting to jump in like muggers trailing an intoxicated prey.
If, however, you adopt quieting techniques, such as yoga or meditation, you can achieve great benefits by countering negative stresses with focus and relaxation. Type AB’s do not respond well to continuous confrontation, and need to consider and practice the art of stillness as a calming charm.
If Type A’s remain in their naturally tense state, stress can produce heart disease and various forms of cancer. Exercises that provide calm and focus are the remedy that pull the Type AB from the grip of stress.
Heavy competitive sports and exercises will only exhaust your nervous system, make you tense all over again, and leave your immune system open to illness or disease.
Exercise Duration Frequency
Tai Chi 30-45 min. 3-5x week
Brisk Walking 20-40 min. 2-3x week
Stretching 15 min. every time you exercise
Yoga 30 min. 3-5x week
Awareness is the key to getting our mind and body healthy. Get to know your body and how it reacts to different kinds of stimuli – this is very helpful on your way to being physically and mentally fit. A simple exercise can work wonders, if done properly.
The right information together with the right attitude always produce the best outcome to whatever goal you make have on life. Allow yourself to relax and focus on the positive side of things, and be amazed at how something so simple can transform you.
