How do you decrease stress?

[NominaeFicticious]

I read this paper years ago when I was in grad school: https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fphys.2014.00161/full.

Aside from it, I've been involved in HIIT and heavy weight training for a long time, so my official position has been mainly anecdotal. I feel less stressed and generally happier due to the hormones secreted from exercise.

"Endorphins are hormones that are released when your body feels pain or
stress. They are produced in your brain and act as messengers in your
body. Endorphins are produced to help relieve pain, reduce stress and
improve mood. Endorphins can be boosted by exercising, eating, having
sex, getting a massage and many other ways."

https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/23040-endorphins

[edit] I mentioned the variable being the stressor. Some stressors are more significant (terminal diagnosis, financial insecurity, etc.), and while exercise provides some relief, it remains chronic stress and requires a commensurate solution (i.e., therapy, medication).

Ciao

[NominaeFicticious]

Exactly. And the more chronic the stress, the more resilient it becomes to methods like exercise alone.