Effects of Exercise on Stress Management
Stress[edit | edit source]
Stress may be defined as a state of threatened homeostasis, which is counteracted by adaptive processes involving affective, physiological, biochemical, and cognitive–behavioral responses in an attempt to regain homeostasis.[1]
Stress and Health[edit | edit source]
Stress can lead to various physical and mental health concerns. American institute of stress has estimated that between 75% and 90% of primary care physician visits are caused by stress-related illnesses. Cardiovascular disease, obesity, diabetes, depression, anxiety, immune system suppression, headaches, back and neck pain, and sleep problems are some of the health problems associated with stress[2]. Stress also influences individual behaviors that affect health. Diet choices, sleep habits, and drug use are behaviors that are often negatively affected by stress The American Psychological Association (APA)’s 2011 survey showed that 39% percent of respondents reported overeating or eating unhealthy food because of stress, 29% reported skipping a meal and 44% reported lying awake at night. On a positive note, 47% of respondents reported walking or exercise as a way of managing stress. The detail about the effect of stress in our body is in the page linked in the topic itself.
Stress management[edit | edit source]
Below is the general stress management recommendations but a comprehensive stress management program will include specific techniques prescribed on an individual basis.
Exercises and Stress[edit | edit source]
Physiology of exercises behind stress management.[edit | edit source]
The exact physiological mechanisms to explain how exercise improves stress have not been delineated. But previous research said that
- being physically active improves the way the body handles stress because of changes in the hormone responses, and that exercise affects neurotransmitters in the brain such as dopamine and serotonin that affect mood and behaviors
- with that exercise serves as a time-out or break from one’s stressors causing claming effect.
In the phenomenological study done by Jong-Ho in 2014 to explore the Impacts of Physical Exercise on Stress Coping and Well-Being in University Students showed that leisure-time physical exercise contributes to effective problem-focused coping through elicitation of positive emotion. The enhanced coping with stress, in turn, can influence the regulation of health behaviors, thus leading to overall well- being.[3]
What kind of exercises?[edit | edit source]
How much exercises is needed to manage stress?[edit | edit source]
Self directed Stress management and home based exercise[edit | edit source]
References[edit | edit source]
References will automatically be added here, see adding references tutorial.
- ↑ Stults-Kolehmainen MA, Sinha R. The effects of stress on physical activity and exercise. Sports medicine. 2014 Jan 1;44(1):81-121.
- ↑ Jackson EM. Stress relief: The role of exercise in stress management. ACSM's Health & Fitness Journal. 2013 May 1;17(3):14-9.
- ↑ Kim JH, McKenzie LA. The impacts of physical exercise on stress coping and well-being in university students in the context of leisure. Health. 2014 Nov 7;6(19):2570.
