Exercise 'can lift your mood'

People can improve their mood and physical and mental wellbeing by ensuring they get enough exercise.

That is according to stress manager and hypnotherapist Ann Finnemore, who stated exercise has long been associated as a way of helping to combat issues such as anxiety and depression.

She suggested this is mainly due to the endorphins released by the brain after physical activity and noted a workout can provide people with "a sense of achievement" and allow them an escape from their daily routine.

"Current advice is that a minimum amount of exercise is 30 minutes, three times a week. We would all benefit from more than the minimum," Ms Finnemore said, pointing out that housework and gardening can play their part.

This follows recent research conducted by Southern Methodist University in Dallas, Texas, which found that anxiety levels were lower among individuals who had been participating in exercise when they were faced with a situation that brought on stress. ADNFCR-438-ID-800623668-ADNFCR