Entering the thick of the busiest time of the year, we are most likely entering one of the most stressful times of the year too. A way we like to destress is to workout. Working out releases endorphins and washes the stress away. But how many of you are guilty of skipping out on your abs, especially if you are crunched on time. If you had just 10 minutes left to crush in the gym are you most likely going to do some sprints on the treadmill or hold a plank. We bet more times than not, you would opt to sprint it out on the treadmill. However, what if we told you that working your abs is your better options, especially when it comes to keeping your stress in check.
In 2016 Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, discovered that the brain and the part of your adrenal glands that is partially in charge of your stress response interacted in way more complex way than previously believed. Basically, your brain contains a map of your entire body and the research team discovered a large number of neurons that control core muscles–aka your core muscles have an impact on your stress levels.
Think about it, our bodies show immediately when we are stressed. Our posture changes, we start to slouch, our shoulders start to raise and we just look tense all over. When we are stressed our whole body feels it but we can do something about it. Our abdominals are a part of our core and our core is called our core for a reason. By definition, the core means, the central or most important part of something. Our core is the powerhouse to our body. When we are stressed we need to focus on de-stressing and what better way than through the powerhouse of our whole body.
Destress with 10-minutes of Abs
Perform each exercise at the top of the minute. Perform the exercise for 40 seconds and then rest for 20 seconds.
Forearm Plank
Right Side Plank
Left Side Plank
Sit-Ups
Bicycle Crunches
Hollow Hold
Cherry Pickers
Leg Raises
Kayaks
Forearm Plank
Next time you are stressed and hitting the gym, don’t skip out on your abs. Instead, plan to focus at least 10 minutes of your workout time on your abdominals. Next time maybe give this ab workout a try.
