The number of people in the UK feeling the effects of workplace stress has risen by 11% in the last 12 months. Compounded by a current cost of living crisis, it’s fair to say plenty of us are feeling the strain.
However, the good news is that there are plenty of ways to beat stress. One of those ways is through regular exercise and sport. We’ve rounded up our top four stress-busting solo sports and forms of exercise below to get you inspired for 2023.
Yoga
One of the most obvious choices if you’re looking for a bit of calm in your daily routine is yoga. Yoga is an excellent stressbuster as it has relaxation at its core. It benefits our body and mind and regulates breathing – all of which are the perfect antidote to a stressful day.
As well as helping you relax, yoga helps increase your flexibility, improve your muscle mass, and can even provide you with cardiovascular benefits – if you’re working hard enough, that is!
Swimming
If you’re plagued with various ailments, swimming is an excellent way to de-stress. As well as putting very little strain on your joints, swimming is a great way to channel your breathing and relax. There’s also something serene about being alone in the water, gliding along at your own pace.
As well as being a de-stressor, swimming is cardiovascular exercise, making it the ideal choice if you’re looking to improve your fitness.
Paddleboarding
If you live near the sea or by a lake, why not give paddleboarding a go?
As well as improving your core strength and balance, paddleboarding is a great way to spend time alone, relax and unwind. When you’re out on the water, it’s the ideal opportunity to put things into perspective, slow down and focus on an enjoyable activity – either alone or with friends.
If you enjoy paddleboarding and want to make a regular thing of it, boat insurance that covers paddleboards could be helpful. This means that should anything happen to your paddleboard on your adventures, you’ll give yourself the best chance of being covered.
Martial arts
As well as being a great way to get in shape, martial arts are popular with those who want to master their body, mind, and emotions.
By taking control of yourself in such a way, you can develop greater emotional stability, practice your assertiveness, and boost your self-confidence and self-esteem.
In the same way that exercise strengthens your body, martial arts strengthen your mind.
Final thoughts…
If you’re feeling unmanageable levels of stress, it’s important to know that you’re not alone. You might not know it, but there are plenty of others in the same boat.
However, the good news is that by taking some time to engage in solo sports or exercise, you can start to challenge your body and mind – but most importantly, beat stress.
Which sport will you try first?
