In the context of stress management, increased physical activity can improve your performance on tests, which can in turn:

• A. reduce your overall stress levels by boosting confidence and mood
• B. have no effect on your stress or academic outcomes
• C. cause chronic stress due to increased energy expenditure
• D. increase your risk of developing test anxiety

Answer: (A)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the relationship between physical activity and stress management: Physical activity is known to influence psychological states by releasing endorphins, improving mood, and enhancing cognitive function.
2. Recognize how improved performance on tests can affect stress levels: Better test performance can increase self-confidence and reduce feelings of anxiety related to academic challenges.
3. Analyze the options given in the problem: Consider which outcomes logically follow from increased physical activity leading to better test performance.
4. Eliminate options that contradict established psychological research: For example, increased physical activity typically does not cause chronic stress or increase test anxiety; rather, it tends to reduce stress.
5. Conclude that increased physical activity reduces overall stress by boosting confidence and mood, which aligns with psychological theories on exercise and stress reduction.