MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Exercise and stress reduction

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Exercise and stress reduction

Contents of this page:
Illustrations Alternative Names	Information

Illustrations

Yoga

Benefit of regular exercise

Flexibility exercise

Preventative medicine

Alternative Names Return to top

Stress reduction and exercise

Information Return to top

Question:

Can exercise help reduce a person's stress level?

Answer:

Yes. Research has found that there are mental health benefits from exercise, including reduced stress and increased confidence for those who exercise regularly -- even 20 minutes a day. Exercise helps you improve your overall health. It also reduces your risk of developing chronic (life-long) conditions such as heart disease, and may help prevent dementia and some forms of cancer.

Update Date: 1/18/2007

Updated by: Benjamin W. Van Voorhees, MD, MPH, Assistant Professor of Medicine and Pediatrics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

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