How Exercise Helps Stress - Explaining Serotonin and Endorphins

You may have heard that exercise is good for stress. But why? The answer lies in the various chemicals that your body produces. When you exercise many things start to happen in your body. The heart pumps more blood to the brain and all the organs to improve their supply of oxygen and nutrients which improves overall function. Exercise also prompts the body to release two important feel-good chemicals; Serotonin and Endorphins.

When your heart pumps harder it allows more L-tryptophan to enter the brain which in turn activates the neurotransmitter serotonin. Serotonin helps to naturally balance your mood and emotions.

The other important chemicals that are released when you exercise are endorphins. Endorphins are powerful hormone-like substances. Endorphins are the body's own natural pain-killers and also are responsible for the state called "runner's high" -that rush of great feelings that many serious athletes report feeling. The effect is so powerful that they cause people to sometimes exercise even beyond what is good for them and the sense of well being can be so great that it masks pain. Endorphins are powerful and work as natural analgesics and mimic the effect of morphine or opiates. They can actually cause you not to feel an injury during exercise. Because of this, all athletes, whether serious or occasional need to be careful. It is easy for people new to exercise or new to consistent exercise to overdo it and risk a serious injury or a minor one that will keep you from staying on a new workout regimen.

Interestingly, endorphins can also be released by getting a good massage, acupuncture and meditation.

Because of these feel-good chemicals your body produces, exercise can also relieve anxiety. Many studies have shown the positive correlation between as little as 5 minutes of aerobic exercise an decreased feelings of anxiety. Studies have also shown that both aerobic and anaerobic forms of exercise reduce feelings of depression and hopelessness. In addition exercise calms your mood and relieves various negative emotions such as anger and tension and increases feelings of energy and vigor.

In addition, people who exercise tend to sleep better. And when you've had a good nights sleep it is always easier to handle life's problems and stresses.

Studies have shown that after just 12 weeks, exercise can be as effective as prescription anti-depressants in treating depression. And the only side-effects of exercise are a better body and better health!



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