Which of the following statements best reflects current psychological understanding about the relationship between exercise and stress management?

• A. Only high-intensity exercise is effective in managing stress; moderate exercise has no effect.
• B. Exercise has no significant impact on stress levels in individuals.
• C. There is no limit to how much exercise is beneficial for stress reduction; the more exercise, the better.
• D. While regular exercise can help reduce stress, excessive exercise may actually increase stress and lead to negative health outcomes.

Answer: (D)

Verified step by step guidance

1. Step 1: Understand the general relationship between exercise and stress by reviewing psychological research that shows exercise can reduce stress by releasing endorphins and improving mood.
2. Step 2: Recognize that not all exercise intensities have the same effect; both moderate and high-intensity exercise can be beneficial, but the claim that only high-intensity exercise is effective is incorrect.
3. Step 3: Consider evidence that moderate exercise does have a positive impact on stress levels, which contradicts the statement that exercise has no significant impact on stress.
4. Step 4: Learn about the concept of an optimal amount of exercise for stress management, noting that excessive exercise can lead to increased stress and negative health outcomes, so more exercise is not always better.
5. Step 5: Conclude that the best understanding is that regular exercise helps reduce stress, but there is a limit beyond which exercise may become harmful, aligning with the statement that excessive exercise may increase stress.