Final answer:
Walking for fitness is a true and effective method for managing stress, tension, and anxiety, as it provides significant mental health benefits and reduces the risk of anxiety related to sedentary lifestyles. option a is correct.
Step-by-step explanation:
Walking for fitness is indeed a good way to handle stress, tension, and anxiety. Engaging in physical exercise, such as walking, has been shown to provide a wide range of mental health benefits. These include reducing stress levels, improving body image, and promoting positive self-esteem. Furthermore, being sedentary has been associated with an increased risk of developing anxiety. Regular exercise not only aids in physical fitness but also acts as a protective factor against stress-related health issues.
Studies have documented that physically fit individuals are more resistant to the adverse effects of stress. For example, Swiss police officers and emergency service personnel who participated in regular physical activity reported decreased stress levels. Moreover, stress reduction techniques often include exercise along with other methods like meditation and biofeedback.
Exercise impacts our physiological responses to stress, which includes reducing the reactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis to stressors, preventing the shortening of telomeres, and minimizing stress effects on the hippocampus and memory. In populations, such as cancer survivors, exercise has proven effective in decreasing anxiety and depressive symptoms, thus enhancing overall well-being.