North Pinellas Adventure Boot Camp for Women
John@BootCampRocks.com
3377 Covered Bridge Dr. W.
Dunedin, FL 34698
www.BootCampRocks.com
727-420-8139
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
PALM HARBOR FITNESS EXPERT: AT TAX TIME AND THROUGHOUT THE YEAR, STRESS PHYSICAL FITNESS
(PALM HARBOR, FL April 19, 2012) -Is mid-April a taxing time for you? If so, you may want to abstain from driving.
That’s because a study published this month in the Journal of the American Medical Association suggests that the time before and right after the tax deadline – which this year was on April 17 – is associated with an increased risk of fatal car accidents.
While the link between taxes and car crashes may seem unclear, researchers say the pressure of filing and paying taxes at the last minute – and fear of the IRS audit – can lead to extreme stress, which, in turn, could make us reckless while driving.
The solution might be not only to file on time, but also to find ways of managing stress – whether it rears it ugly head at tax time or at any other time of the year.
Although tax filing deadline, as well as other “peek times” such as the holiday season and the Super Bowl Sunday contribute to the spike in the stress levels, millions of Americans suffer from this condition all year round.
In fact, in its 2011 Stress in America survey, the American Psychological Association reports that about a quarter of Americans consistently suffer from levels of stress high enough to put them at risk for developing serious illnesses.
“Chronic stress is dangerous not only because – as the study shows – it can result in careless behavior, but it also can be detrimental to physical and mental health,” says Kevin Carrier, owner of North Pinellas Adventure Boot Camp for Women.
The body responds to stress by releasing hormones that raise blood pressure and can lead to medical conditions, including cardiovascular disease, heart attacks and strokes. And, by affecting important functions of the brain, stress can also result in depression and insomnia.
But that’s not all.
“Since some people tend to overeat or smoke when they are stressed out, they also open themselves up to obesity, type 2 diabetes and several forms of cancer,” Carrier notes. “So it is fair to say that either directly or indirectly, stress can really make us seriously ill.”
We all have to file taxes and deal with other high-pressure situations throughout the year, so it is essential to find healthy ways of relieving stress, Carrier says.
“That’s where regular exercise can be really beneficial,” he notes. “It releases several ‘feel-good’ chemicals in the brain that lift our mood, reduce tension and anxiety, and distract from worries and negative thoughts that feed stress.”
Any brisk and vigorous fitness routine that you enjoy will be an effective stress buster, but you might want to increase your chances of having a fun and effective workout by joining a group program, Carrier says.
“One of the many benefits of a group setting is the support and encouragement you will get from your instructor and class mates as you are trying to manage your stress and improve your overall health at the same time,” he points out.
About North Pinellas Adventure Boot Camp for Women:
A former personal trainer, Carrier launched the North Pinellas Adventure Boot Camp for Women in Oct. 2007. Carrier specializes in weightloss for women and in working with women who “hate to workout”. Schedules and client testimonials are available at www.BootCampRocks.com. Carrier, a certified fitness boot camp instructor with 14 years of experience in the fitness industry, can be reached at John@BootCampRocks.com or 727- 420 – 8139.
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About Kevin Carrier, Fitness Expert:
Carrier, a certified fitness boot camp instructor with 14 years of experience in the fitness industry, can be reached at John@BootCampRocks.com or 727- 420 – 8139 and is available for media interviews on a wide range of topics related to health, wellness and fitness.