Did You Know – Exercising Regularly Can Actually Make Us Immune To Stress

As many of us know there is good and bad stress in life. An angry boss, an argument with your spouse or fears about an upcoming presentation at work are all examples of negative stress. However placing our bodies under positive stress, which can include a 30-minute workout on the treadmill, a hike on the weekend with your family or a bike ride along the coast are all examples of good stress.

Some recent studies have indicated that this good stress can actually help us handle the bad kind.

Here’s the process that happens when you’re hammering it out on the treadmill for 30-40 minutes.

When you first start jogging your body is releasing increased levels of the hormones dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine. These are “feel good” hormones that the body uses to improve our mood.

Of course, if you’ve been under a lot of bad stress then before your workout levels of bad hormones such as adrenaline and cortisol would be flowing freely through the body.

So as you begin your workout things are starting to feel better.

Now, after a few more minutes something else interesting happens. The body begins to increase the level of BDNF (brain-derived neurotrophic factor). A naturally occurring substance in the body which helps repair the damage caused by bad stress in our lives and protect us from emotional disorders.

At this point, you’re feeling pretty good.

New studies are showing that as our workouts boost levels of BDNF and help repair damage caused by ongoing stress in our lives we’re actually becoming in a way “immune” to those negative stressors in our lives.

In effect, we’re better able to cope with the difficulties of everyday life at work and home.

The opposite argument is that those of us who live a more sedentary lifestyle are more likely to be more sensitive to stress in work and home life, and it will impact you for a longer period of time which could lead to a more depressive state.

I know most of us here exercise for fat loss and to help us achieve our six pack abs goal, but making ourselves more immune to stressors which we encounter each and every day isn’t such a bad by-product either if you ask me.