Turns out the cortisol spike from exercise suppresses the next cortisol response from a stressor. So you should exercise before stressful things.
Turns out the cortisol spike from exercise suppresses the next cortisol response from a stressor. So you should exercise before stressful things.
As far as I can tell, that’s outside the scope of this study. Who knows what the long term effects are. However, it did say this:
So the intensity matters in the short run. Take a walk, and it does something to your cortisol, lift weights and it does a lot more.
If you wanted to explore longer term effects, you could just have people exercise regularly for a week or a month and then replicate the rest of the study. I’m really curious about the lingering effect this might have. If you went to the gym every afternoon, will that still help in the next morning when you’re in a stressful meeting?
Indeed, future research needed, but definitely interesting.
My incredibly anecdotal experience of being a college athlete that slipped into alcohol abuse and getting out of shape for a few years, now 34… 3.5 years no alcohol, slowly getting back in the gym the past year or two. Intense exercise is good for my brain and I need more of it. Was already realizing it, this study confirms. I used to be a sprinter. Handled the stresses of life much better. Started to swim and run again recently. Too bad my body isn’t back there yet, pulled a hamstring a couple weeks ago
I’m glad you’re better now.
So, long term effects might exist as well. If the same mechanics apply long term as well, that would mean that living an active life would make it easier to handle psychological stress.