Stay fit to avoid feeling stressed at work

If you are physically fit and in good shape, you may be well-guarded against health problems that arise when you feel particularly stressed at work, a study says.

The findings showed that a high fitness level offers particularly effective protection for professionals who experience a high degree of stress in the workplace -- known as psychosocial stress.

Psychosocial stress is one of the key factors leading to illness-related absences from work. This type of stress is accompanied by impaired mental well-being and an increase in depressive symptoms.

It also raises the likelihood of cardiovascular risk factors such as high blood pressure and an unfavourable blood lipid profile.

"The study is significant because it is precisely when people are stressed that they tend to engage in physical activity less often," said Markus Gerber, Professor at the University of Basel in Switzerland.

To promote a physically active lifestyle, a high priority should be attached to the systematic measurement of cardiorespiratory fitness and the provision of theoretically sound and evidence-based physical activity counselling, the researchers stated.

“In addition, the study also has direct implications for the therapy and treatment of stress-related disorders,” Gerber said.