I came across a tweet recently from Dr. John Delony that really resonated with me. He wrote:
“One of the best ways to get stress out of your body is to be active. Lift weights, ride a bike, go for a walk. Do anything you can to move. Exercise will clear your mind unlike anything.”
I couldn’t agree more.
When I don’t exercise, I feel it. This past week at work was incredibly difficult—lots of pressure, lots of responsibility, and a never-ending to-do list. But despite the stress, I didn’t make time to exercise. And I felt it. Not just physically, but mentally and emotionally. The weight of everything felt heavier because I didn’t give my body and mind a chance to reset.
When I do make time to get to the gym or go for a walk outside, everything shifts. The fog lifts. My thinking clears. The stress doesn’t magically go away, but I’m better equipped to handle it.
Exercise, for me, isn’t just about physical health. It’s a mental reset. It helps renew my thinking and often sparks creativity. Some of my best ideas come to me while I’m moving, whether it’s during a walk, on the treadmill, or lifting weights.
One of my favorite ways to “multitask” while reducing stress is to combine walking with listening. I’ll often put on a sermon to strengthen my faith, or queue up a personal growth or business podcast. It’s a way to feed my mind while letting my body unwind. The movement, the message, the fresh air—it all works together to bring perspective and peace.
It’s easy to let stress pile up. But for me, the best way to release it is to move. The days I skip exercise, I feel the difference. But the days I prioritize it, whether it’s a quick gym session or a walk around the block, I think clearer, feel stronger, and carry less emotional weight.
It’s not always convenient. But it’s always worth it.
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