With today’s high-tech, fast-paced lifestyle taking a daily toll on our lives, experts advise exercise and other healthy lifestyle changes to relieve stress. According to research conducted at Rutgers University, nature is one way of providing us with a simple means to improve emotional health.

Did you know that just looking at flowers has not only an immediate impact on happiness, but also a long-term impact, too? Studies have shown that people are less depressed, anxious and agitated after seeing beautiful flowers or a beautiful landscape. Common sense tells us that flowers make us happy; science tells us that flowers have a strong positive effect on our emotional well-being.

I am a runner. Running feeds my soul. In fact, I believe in daily exercise and eating right. Being physically active improves fitness, increases vitality, helps maintain a healthy body weight, and offers numerous other health benefits that add up to a better quality of life.

Did you know that exercise can have positive mental effects, too?  Exercise stimulates the circulatory system, releasing endorphins – the brain chemical that makes us feel good and helps protect against stress, anxiety, and depression. It also helps us to focus and think more clearly and creatively. Everyone should incorporate some type of physical activity into his or her daily routine.

What a perfect time to start an exercise program! The flowers are abundant and the landscaping is beautiful. Take a walk, ride a bike, enjoy nature! Whatever level of fitness you choose, make sure you stop and take time to enjoy the flowers.

This entry was posted Tuesday, June 15th, 2010 at 11:12 pm and is filed under Client Care, Educational. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.