Abstract
Stress, defined as a feeling of being overwhelmed and unable to cope, can affect anyone but it is how we react to that feeling that determines whether or not it is detrimental to our health. Short bouts of stress are usually well tolerated and may even improve performance but chronic stress produces a wide range of chemical and structural changes in the brain that are usually detrimental. Stress triggers the release of adrenalin and cortisol from the adrenal gland that can trigger a variety of somatic symptoms.
Chronic stress can impair the cardiovascular and immune systems and inhibit neuroplasticity and neurogenesis in the brain. Exercise and improved physical fitness can prevent all of these stress related changes. Long periods of stress can lead to anxiety and depression and often symptoms of anxiety and depression overlap. Exercise is a proven treatment for both anxiety and depression and in many cases it is more effective than currently prescribed medications.
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Baloh, R.W. (2022). Stress, Anxiety and Depression. In: Exercise and the Brain. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13924-6_7
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-031-13924-6_7
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