Stress-busting physical activities
Get active! Exercise is a proven stress-buster and therefore a good way to protect from this cold sore trigger. Here are some terrific physical activities that can make a difference in your mood and help you manage your triggers.
If stress is a known cold sore trigger for you, try to incorporate some form of exercise into your day. Any type of exercise – from walking to spin class – can act as a stress reliever. Whether or not you’re athletic makes no difference: anyone can make a little exercise go a long way towards relieving stress.
Tips for getting started
Start small. As the saying goes: you need to walk before you can run. Setting realistic goals when first starting out will help you build your fitness program gradually.
Do activities you enjoy. Any type of movement can decrease your stress, so make it something you look forward to doing – not a chore.
Make time. It might not be at the same time every day but there’s always time to get in a quick workout – even if that means just going for a 10-minute walk after dinner.
Find a friend. Working out with a friend can make you more motivated and committed to working out, especially when you don’t feel like it.
Mix it up. To stay excited about working out try different activities. For example, if you always go for a run, try adding a yoga class or going for a hike as another activity to your routine.
Keep it casual. If you can't fit in a 30-minute walk, go for three 10-minute walks. What's most important is making regular physical activity part of your lifestyle.