The school year has hardly begun, and the first exams are already approaching. According to findings by researchers from the University of Basel, school children cope better with stress if they get plenty of daily exercise.
One possible explanation for this finding could be that cortisol levels also increase during exercise, says Sebastian Ludyga. “When children regularly run, swim, climb, etc., the brain learns to associate a rise in cortisol with something positive. The body’s reaction always has a cognitive component as well: this positive association helps to prevent the concentration of cortisol from rising to too high a level in exam situations as well.”
University of Basel. “Active children are more resilient.” ScienceDaily. ScienceDaily, 5 September 2023. <www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2023/09/230905124926.htm>.