I can’t get up early. I’m too tired. I had a long day. I have too much work to do. I don’t feel good. Sound familiar? If you are anything like me, you have a million reasons why you shouldn’t go to the gym today. Well, maybe you will be motivated after you read the article I came across in USA today.

The article titled “The fit may produce less harmful stress-related chemicals”, discuses recent findings which suggest that the physically fit are protected from a kind of artery inflammation which has been shown to occur in times of mental stress. The study involved the measurement of two chemicals; interleukin-6 (IL-6), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha, (TNF) on 186 adults whom exercised with stationary bikes. High levels of these chemicals have been shown to cause the artery plaque which causes artery blockages. In the study the adults whom exercised produced less of these chemicals when asked to perform a mentally stressful task and had less artery inflammation then those who did not exercise. In fact, those who did not exercise produced five times the amount of these two chemicals then the exercise group, when asked to perform a mentally challenging task.

Obviously, there are already many reasons to exercise; weight management, increasing good cholesterol etc., this study just shows one more reason to get out of bed and hit the treadmill.

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Another reason why exercise benefits your mental health « Younger Every Year (4/20/2007)

    Last reviewed: By John M. Grohol, Psy.D. on 15 Mar 2007
    Published on PsychCentral.com. All rights reserved.