Which of the following best explains why exercising with a friend or partner can help reduce stress?

• A. It eliminates the need for any other stress management techniques.
• B. It provides social support, which can buffer the effects of stress.
• C. It increases the intensity of stress responses in the body.
• D. It guarantees that you will not experience any physical injuries.

Answer: (B)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Understand the concept of stress and how it affects the body and mind. Stress is a psychological and physiological response to perceived challenges or threats.
2. Recognize that social support is a key factor in stress management. Social support refers to the emotional, informational, or practical assistance received from others, which can help individuals cope with stress more effectively.
3. Consider how exercising with a friend or partner provides social support. This companionship can offer encouragement, motivation, and a sense of belonging, which helps reduce feelings of stress.
4. Recall psychological theories such as the 'buffering hypothesis,' which suggests that social support can buffer or protect individuals from the negative effects of stress by providing emotional comfort and practical help.
5. Evaluate the other options and understand why they are less accurate: exercising with a friend does not eliminate the need for other stress management techniques, does not increase stress responses, and does not guarantee the absence of physical injuries.