Exercise does more than just help people get back on a healthy track.
It can be a lifesaver to someone dealing with stressful things in his or her life, just ask Arizona police Officer Michael Moore.
He not only has a job that can be very demanding at times, but Moore has also had to deal with losing a good friend in the line of duty.
“There are a lot of periods of being sedentary and not moving around and sitting,” Moore said. “You’re either at a desk or you’re in a car or vice versa, followed by extremely physical and stressful situations.”
While Moore loves what he does for a living, the job of a police officer can be stressful at times.
“The stress is coupled with the fact that you have periods of no stress, but you have to maintain some level of awareness,” Moore said. “No matter what you’re doing or where you’re at, you always have to be at an elevated state.”
Moore relieves his stress by turning to exercise.
“For me exercise is a huge part,” he said. “Not just for de-stressing, but for overall mental and physical health.”
Moore likes working out in the gym or doing things outside.
Studies have shown that exercise is one tool that can be used to battle stress and depression.
“We all have these trials and tribulations,” said Don Alexander with Bootcamp Boxing Centers of America in Chandler, Ariz. “Come in here with a 100 percent motivation and understand that we’re going to be there for you.”
Alexander said when people come to the facility, they do everything from personal training to group workouts.
“When you ask a lot of questions, you uncover a lot of things the person may not even know that they’re telling you,” Alexander said.
Whether you need motivation to start working out again, spice up what you’re currently doing or just looking for an outlet to make things less stressful, Alexander said don’t be afraid to try something new.
“They have to feel good about what they’re doing,” he continued. “They have to have a mission and they have to have a passion.
“Once they have that and now they’re engaged in something, now what we do is we take that and bring it together with them.”
“I would rather get over the fear here [gym] than out on the street,” Moore said.
For more information on Bootcamp Boxing Centers of America visit http://bootcampboxingcenters.com.
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