About

5 Key Ways That Exercise Improves Stress

Tuesday, 11th April 2023


April is Stress Management Society's Stress Awareness Month. Everybody experiences stress in some form at some time, and prolonged spells of stress can have a hugely negative effect on your physical health, on relationships and on someone's overall enjoyment of life. It's also not always obvious that stress is impacting you until it goes away, or at least, is reduced.

Exercise is a vital part of an overall healthy lifestyle and one of its many positives is its effect on stress.

Here are FIVE key ways that exercise helps improve stress:

  1. Reduces stress hormones: Exercise triggers the release of endorphins, which are the body's natural mood elevators. These endorphins interact with receptors in the brain that reduce the perception of pain, which can also help to reduce stress.
  2. Improves mood: Exercise can also help to improve mood by increasing levels of serotonin and norepinephrine, which are neurotransmitters that help regulate mood. Exercise can also help to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety.
  3. Increases relaxation: Exercise can help to increase relaxation by reducing muscle tension and promoting better sleep. Exercise also helps to promote relaxation by providing a sense of accomplishment and helping individuals feel more in control of their lives.
  4. Provides a distraction: Exercise can serve as a healthy distraction from daily stressors. Engaging in physical activity can help individuals take their mind off of their problems, which can provide a much-needed break from stress.
  5. Boosts self-esteem: Exercise can also boost self-esteem and confidence, which can help individuals feel better equipped to handle stress. Engaging in physical activity can help individuals feel more in control of their lives and help them to develop a sense of mastery over their body and their environment.

Give exercise a try with us! We offer a FREE 7 Day Pass to any of our centres - simply pop in and ask at reception. Here's more information about each of our centres - www.pendleleisuretrust.co.uk/centres-and-services/