Exercise Guards Against Physical Effects of Stress

A new study shows that exercise can help protect against the physical effects of daily stress.

The study consisted of 135 college students and showed those who exercised on a regular basis were more likely to successfully cope with typical daily stresses, compared with their less physically active counterparts.

During times of high stress, those exercising less experienced 37 percent more physical symptoms than those who exercised more. Moreover, those exercising less also reported 21 percent more anxiety than those exercising more frequently.

According to researchers, exercise helps people get their mind off of stressors "providing a time-out period." This "allows for a temporary escape from the pressure of stressors and thus acts as a kind of 'rejuvenation' process."