There are many benefits of being physically active. Helping to reduce stress is just one of the fantastic benefits of exercise. Exercise can also reduce fatigue and improve alertness and concentration. This is useful when the feelings of stress have zapped your energy and concentration.
When we get stressed a hormone called Cortisol is released. Cortisol has a negative impact on our bodies, for example; weight gain, lower back pain, depression, anxiety and some studies have even shown that there’s a link between stress a certain cancers.
So, how does being physically active help to reduce stress? Physical activity produces endorphins. These are chemicals in the brain that act like natural painkillers. Endorphins can help you to sleep better in turn helping to reduce stress. In addition exercise helps to decrease levels of tension, improve and stabilise your mood and improve self-esteem. All of these factors work to reduce the levels of stress that a person experiences.
Stress affects us all at some time and has a negative effect on our quality of life. So find some time each day to be physically active and improve your stress busting abilities.
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