Chronic anxiety and stress keep the body stuck in “threat mode” which includes high cortisol, tense muscles, shallow breathing, poor sleep, inflammation, and eventually physical illness or panic.  Exercise helps because it directly retrains both the brain and the nervous system to handle stress more effectively, not just distract from it.

Here’s how exercise improves your ability to cope physically, mentally, and emotionally:

• Exercise resets the stress response when chronic anxiety keeps your sympathetic nervous system (fight-or-flight) overactive.  Exercise:
  • Uses up excess stress hormones (adrenaline, cortisol)
  • Activates the parasympathetic nervous system afterwards (rest and digest)
  • Trains your body to return to calm faster after stress
    
• Exercise builds stress resilience (not avoidance) as exercise is a controlled stressor. You raise your heart rate, breathe harder, and feel discomfort, then recover safely. This teaches your brain:
  • Increased heart rate does not equal danger
  • Discomfort is temporary
  • I can handle this
    
• Exercise improves brain chemistry tied to anxiety and increases:
  • Serotonin – emotional stability
  • Dopamine – motivation and focus
  • Endorphins – natural calming and pain relief
  • Better emotional regulation and cognitive flexibility
    
• Exercise reduces inflammation linked to stress related illnesses. Chronic stress increases systemic inflammation which contributes to:
  • Fatigue
  • Pain
  • Cardiovascular disease
  • Depression and anxiety
    
• Whereas moderate, consistent exercise:
  • Lowers inflammatory markers
  • Improves immune function
  • Protects against stress related illness progression
    
• Exercise improves sleep – the foundation of the anxiety control. Better sleep equals better emotional control, lower anxiety and fewer panic sysmptoms.

In short, exercise doesn’t remove stress from your life – it strengthens your capacity to handle it.

Elevate your life while fine tuning your connection to breath.

This weekly practice will consist of experiencing the art of breath-work.

Shannon Harkey will be offering a breathwork series for the month of January at the Seabrook Island Lakehouse. You will meet twice a week to fully experience the power of prana. Make space to slow down and immerse yourself in a dedicated breathwork practice designed to elevate your overall well-being; clear and focused mind, cleansed and purified body and a deeper connection to spirit. 

As we age, protein becomes one of the most important nutrients for maintaining strength, vitality, and overall health.  After about age 40, our bodies naturally lose muscle mass at a rate of 3-8% per decade – a process called sarcopenia.  Adequate protein intake helps slow this decline, supporting mobility, balance, and independence well into later life.

Protein provides the building blocks (amino acids) needed to repair and rebuild tissues, including muscles, skin and organs.  This is especially crucial after exercise or illness, when the body’s demand for recovery is higher.  Studies show that older adults who eat more protein tend to have better muscle strength, higher bone density, and improved immune function.

Beyond muscle health, protein also helps regulate appetite and weight, since it promotes satiety and stabilizes blood sugar levels.  This can reduce the risk of type 2 diabetes and unwanted fat gain – two common age-related challenges. 

Experts recommend spreading protein intake evenly throughout the day, roughly 25-30 grams per meal from sources like lean meats, fish, eggs, dairy, and beans.  Combining protein with strength training amplifies its benefits, improving energy, posture, and resilience. In short, consistent protein intake isn’t just for athletes – it’s the cornerstone of healthy aging, keeping the body strong, the metabolism active, and daily life more enjoyable.

For more information or to schedule an appointment with Nancy Steen, please email nsteen@sipoa.org.

BARRE CORE

A full-body workout strengthening legs, glutes, and abs using Barre-style movements including basic ballet and resistance training. Core focus utilizing weights, straps, and the barre, finishing with yoga and deep stretching. Located in the Studio.

Level 2
Instructor: Erin Collins
When: Thursdays at 10:00am

BARRE FLOW

Begin with a Barre-based warm-up, followed by strength exercises using ballet moves focusing on arms, legs, glutes, and core. Transition into a Yoga flow to calm the mind and body. All levels welcome. Located in the Studio.

Level 2
Instructor: Erin Collins
When: Tues @ 10:00am

This 55-minute class is sure to leave you feeling relaxed. This class utilizes longer hold times to allow deeper muscle relaxation, along with various muscle activations to increase mobility through different ranges of motions and muscle groups. The floor and standing stretches will aid you increasing mobility and flexibility over time.

Please email kbreaux@sipoa.org with any questions regarding the class.