Americans coping with stress

Americans coping with stress, anxiety might find relief with exercise

NewsRx.com - October 06, 2005

Health experts say many Americans not directly affected by Hurricane Katrina may experience various levels of stress from witnessing the results of the devastation from afar.

The American Council on Exercise (ACE) said exercise can actually help relieve some of the symptoms.

"Exercise, particularly aerobic exercise, has consistently been shown to be effective in helping individuals manage stress," said Cedric Bryant, chief exercise physiologist for ACE. "Research also indicates that exercise seems to relieve mild depression, elevate mood and help people maintain their 'cool' during trying times."

According to a 2004 survey by the American Psychological Association (APA), 45% of Americans say they exercise to help reduce stress. Exercise is one of many healthy behaviors that can help people deal with stress and is part of one of the steps to building resilience, taking care of oneself. Additional information on building resilience is available at www.apahelpcenter.org.

ACE offers the following tips to help individuals cope with stress and anxiety they may feel after the hurricane:

1) Exercise can help you feel less anxious. Exercise is being prescribed in clinical settings to help treat nervous tension. Following a session of exercise, clinicians have measured a decrease in electrical activity of tensed muscles. People have been observed to be less jittery and hyperactive after an exercise session.

2) Exercise can help relax you. One exercise session generates 90 to 120 minutes of relaxation response. Some people call this post-exercise euphoria or the endorphin response. We now know that many neurotransmitters, not just endorphins, are involved. The important thing is not what they're called, but what they do - they improve your mood and leave you feeling more relaxed.

3) Exercise can help make you feel better about yourself. Think about those times when you've been physically active. Haven't you felt better about yourself? Those feelings of accomplishment and greater self-worth contribute to stress relief.

4) Exercise can encourage you to eat better. People who exercise regularly tend to eat more nutritious food. And it's no secret that good nutrition helps your body manage stress better. This article was prepared by Health & Medicine Week editors from staff and other reports. Copyright 2005, Health & Medicine Week via NewsRx.com.

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