Committing to something has its ups and downs, highs and lows. Last night, I went to bed tired and sore (a testament to how out-of-shape I am) and this morning I did not want to get out of bed. I woke up feeling the opposite of rested – grumpy and already resenting the day.
Fast-forward, though, and something magical happened! I’ve been working on a new project that has a tight deadline and I’m unfamiliar with a lot of the components. For the past couple of weeks I’ve been anxiously tackling a mile-high to-do list, frantically pacing back-and-forth, overthinking things. To say I’ve been overwhelmed is an understatement. Today, however, I felt very calm and even-keeled. I was able to process information a lot better and take measured steps towards completing a majority of the project.
It turns out exercising, under the right circumstances, can reduce cortisol levels. While high intensity exercise increases cortisol levels in the short term, as a response to the physical challenge, it lowers these levels at night. Habitual training does lead to an improvement in cortisol response levels. Even working out at a mild or moderate rate, defined as 40 – 60% of maximum effort, positively impacts the reduction of cortisol at night (though it’s physically less demanding and therefore, doesn’t cause a spike in levels immediately after exercise). Research also suggests that the length of a workout can affect the release of cortisol. Longer doesn’t necessarily mean better.
Hubby and I do work out at moderate levels and have consistently exercised for 30-minutes a day for the past couple of weeks. It’s a high possibility our bodies might be adjusting to produce lower cortisol levels. I consider that a win.
30 Day Life Challenges 