5 Exercises to Burn Fat and
Reduce Stress This Holiday Season

The holidays may be merry and bright, but did you know that the holidays are prime time for a heart attack? The numbers of heart attacks actually go up around the end of December and the first week of January.

When you consider the fact that the holidays are filled with two major factors behind heart attacks, stress and high-fat intake, you can understand why burning fat and curbing stress during the most wonderful time of the year is so important. Here are five exercises that reduce stress and burn fat. 

1. Tai Chi 

Tai chi, which is often referred to as active meditation, has been shown to reduce stress significantly. This ancient Chinese involves making slow and deliberate movements while focusing on your balance and movements. Make no mistake, even though tai chi looks graceful and easy, the movements can challenge your posture-holding techniques and give some of your muscles a good workout. Therefore, it can also be a good way to help you burn some calories during the holidays. 

2. Yoga 

Yoga is a mind-body exercise, and while it may not necessarily get your blood pumping and your heart rate up, it can be great for reducing stress. Yoga may also give your metabolism a boost, as it has been shown to help people who are overweight slim down. Pick up a yoga mat that you can keep with you on your holiday travels so you can fit in a quick session when things get tense. 

3. Cardio 

Hands down, any type of exercise that gets your heart rate up and your blood circulating is going to be one of the best things you can do to curb stress. When you do aerobic-style exercises or cardio and your heart starts pumping, your brain also releases feel-good endorphins that can make stress a little easier to handle. And, of course, cardio exercise is one of the best ways to burn off calories and fat. 

4. Strength Training 

Strength training is not often thought of as a way to reduce stress or burn fat, but as a way to build muscle and strength. Nevertheless, this type of exercise is actually going to help both burn fat and reduce stress. Strength training requires focus, but it also helps you take out some of your aggression, which can get really pent-up if you are dealing with a lot of stress during the holidays. Weightlifting kettlebells and even resistance training can give your metabolism a boost and help shrink fat cells in your body. 

5. Hiking 

Sometimes, the best stress-buster removes you from your typical environment where you don’t have to be immersed in whatever it is that is making you stressed out. Therefore, any form of exercise outdoors can be a good move during the holidays. However, if you also want to urn off the extra fat you’ve taken in with all those holiday treats, skip the outdoor walk and go for a nice hike in nature instead.

On a medium-to-steep-grade hiking trail, you could really burn some calories while you get your head into nature and away from your stress. Take some TC1 Preworkout to give yourself a boost of energy before you head off.