Exercise could help fight off psychological stress based on a recent study. It means that not only does it help with weight loss but it is also needed to help maintain our mental health. Apart from preventing obesity and heart diseases, it has been known to help release endorphins. It is the hormone responsible to make people "feel good."
A study has revealed that workout promotes the brain's production of the protein galanin. During stressful times, going on a run would benefit mental and emotional health. However, apart from fighting off stress, exercise could help the brain to become more resilient against stress.
Exercise affects mood and stress
Galanin affects stress and mood and has been shown in stress-related psychiatric disorders. The research team studied the link between exercise and stress relief. For 24 hours, they measured the anxious behaviors of mice after a stressful event.
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They found that for three weeks, mice that had access to a running wheel showed lower anxiety levels than those that did not work out. They also noted that the active mice had higher galanin levels in the locus coeruleus. It is a cluster of neurons found in the brainstem that are linked in stress response.
In the third week, the research team gathered the resukts. They found that the amount of time the mice spent working out was linked to the amount of galanin found in the locus coeruleus. It meant that the more the mice had worked out, the more they were resilient to stress.
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Working out regularly could provide benefits
The authors explained that their study focused on stress. They have practical advice for people who are looking into the good effects of regular, aerobic exercise. David Weinshenker and Rachel Tillage told Inverse that people who have not done workouts then suddenly run ten miles just before a stressful event is not helpful at all.
They noted that people who move less would not get the same benefits as those that jog three miles many days a week for many months. Based on their study, a history of increased workout does not affect the release of cortisol during a stressful event.
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Future studies could target people who do not workout often
Both authors noted that their study results show that increased workout does not affect the immediate stress feelings. However, it does help people cope with stress in a healthier way.
They also said that their study could let future treatments could target whether the galanin system could benefit people who do not work out regularly. The research team also found that galanin did not affect the mice's behavior. It could only mean that the protein is only produced during periods of high stress.
