Editor’s Note: This article was originally published in 2018 and is preserved for historical interest. Some recommendations, regulations, and scientific evidence have changed since it was written. It reflects the research and perspectives available at that time.
Exercise reduces physical problems due to stress. This makes sense because joint movement increases serotonin production. Serotonin is a 
neurotransmitter (a chemical that enables nerve cells—especially in the brain, to communicate with each other). Many anti-depressant drugs act to increase serotonin activity. According to a 1999 study published in Annals of Behavioral Medicine, people who regularly work out have fewer physical problems due to stress. During stressful times, college students who exercised regularly experienced 37% fewer physical symptoms and 21% less anxiety than those who did not exercise frequently. To quote the researchers, exercising “allows for a temporary escape from the pressure of stressors and thus acts as a kind of ‘rejuvenation’ process.”
