Exercise can be good for stress-relief: Why? Why not share this good news?

Sport and exercise – but not competition for most of us – can be a good way to de-stress. This works for several reasons:

1. It takes us away from stressful situations (home or work)
2. We focus on what we are doing (e.g, chasing a football, hitting the tennis ball, running drills…) and therefore not on life’s problems
3. We have endogenous opiates (‘happy hormones’) released into our bloodstream which feel good
4. We might be exercising or playing sport with positive, encouraging people

Those of us who exercise know this already. Perhaps we can share the good news to those who don’t exercise or engage in sport? 


Dr Victor Thompson
www.sportspsychologist.com