30 Minutes of Daily Exercise Can Reduce Stress Risk by 26 Percent

Engaging in approximately 30 minutes of physical activity each day can significantly lower the risk of experiencing severe stress by about 26 percent. This finding comes from a new study conducted by the National Research Centre for the Working Environment (NFA).

The research indicates that even brief periods of movement yield benefits. The study found that as little as two minutes of physical activity can decrease the risk of severe stress by approximately 2 percent. This suggests that consistent, even short, bursts of activity can contribute to stress reduction.

“

For many people, it is easier to incorporate a little physical activity into what they already do in their daily lives than to find time for exercise alongside everything else.

Professor Lars L. Andersen, who led the study with international collaborators, emphasized the practicality of integrating physical activity into existing daily routines. He noted that for many individuals, incorporating movement into their current schedule is more feasible than setting aside dedicated time for exercise.

Simple strategies like short exercises with colleagues, choosing active transportation methods, or opting for walk-and-talk meetings instead of seated ones are highlighted as effective and accessible ways to increase daily physical activity. The study analyzed data from 74,715 individuals aged 40-69 over an eight-year period, during which 533 participants developed severe stress. The data originated from the UK Biobank, and participants had no prior history of serious illness or stress.

“

Small exercises with colleagues, active transport or walk and talk meetings instead of seated meetings are healthy and easy ways to get physical activity into everyday life.