You go see a therapist hoping to repair the relationship, yet end up in Splitsville complaining of too much repetitive talk. Or perhaps the relationship is in a rut and you want to get it back on track; you go on an exciting vacation together, but the afterglow doesn’t last very long as you fall into the same boring routine at home. Here’s another alternative: Try exercise. Getting physical will help you to get more physical, reap the response of feel-good endorphins, spark more confidence, improve appearance – both body and skin - and get rid of inflammatory stress.

Exercise empowers the self physically and mentally awakening your potential to grow and move forward in life. Working out provides a natural high, so you can look down at your relatively small problems to see the total picture to then find a solution.

As you put on more muscle and build bone density, learn to coordinate your movements rhythmically and improve balance, you transfer these abilities to all activities of daily living. Consequently, you become a better listener, learn to have more constructive conflicts and feel less sensitive and on the defensive. Studies show that arguing frequently is not what drives couples apart, but it is the way you argue which includes a disrespectful tone and verbiage.

According to the American Psychological Association exercise gives the body a chance to practice dealing with stress and then releasing it. It is good to challenge yourself with a stressor that you can control like exercise and return to your center. When you finish exercising, you let your body relax and recover which is the relaxation response. The fastest and most efficient way to shed negative emotions and bad memories is to work them out through the body. After you do a solid workout, your anger, hurt, failure, or worry will be transformed into a more mellow, “So what!” And if you do a partnered workout, you will be in sync as a couple.

The great thing about exercise is that it not only releases the negative energy of a particular episode of sadness and frustration, but also can prevent new episodes – provided that you are consistent about your workouts. The more you exercise the more good energy you generate.

5 benefits of exercise:

1. Exercise, specifically strength training, increases testosterone levels for both men and women. Testosterone raises libido. This is why lifting weights together is great foreplay.
   
2. Dancing together can be sensual and bonding especially if you play music which holds special meaning to both of you, reminding you that you are a team and that your relationship is important because you have a shared history.
   
3. Exercising large muscle groups of the lower body like squats and lunges promotes blood flow to the “Southern Hemisphere,” which sets the stage for better sex.
   
4. Running, hiking or bicycling together sends a subliminal message that you can both go the distance on your journey together.
   
5. Stretching together symbolizes that you can both stretch and extend yourselves to better understand your partner.

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For more information on managing your stress and reclaiming your life read my book, Addicted to Stress: A Woman's 7 Step Program to Reclaim Joy and Spontaneity in Life. To listen to archived radio shows with guest experts visit Turn On Your Inner Light Radio Show