Feeling stressed? Take a hike! - Lifelines

Vibrant Life, Jan-Feb, 2002

Better yet, go rock climbing, backpacking, or white-water canoeing.

Texas A&M researchers looked at extreme outdoor sports and their effect on participants' stress levels and mental outlook. Their findings: Those who were in good physical condition not only handled the physical demands placed on them, but they were also better equipped to tackle the mental and emotional stress these extreme sports produce.

Participants who were classified as being unfit had much higher levels of the body's stress hormones cortisol, epinephrine, and norepinephrine after they participated in these challenging activities. The study's authors conclude that the ability to adjust to new situations, particularly those that pose a risk, can be an important way to gauge stress levels. And consistently high levels of stress hormones can become harmful to unfit people.

(Journal of Leisure Research)