Final answer:
Endorphins released during exercise provide stress relief and a sense of well-being, contributing to the feeling known as a "runner's high." Additionally, exercise enhances mental health and has many other benefits such as improved self-esteem and stress reduction.
Step-by-step explanation:
Endorphins released during exercise have several effects on the body, including a relaxing effect. These endorphins contribute to a sensation often referred to as a "runner's high," which includes a feeling of well-being, euphoria, and reduced perception of pain. Specifically, the correct answer to the question is that endorphins provide stress relief and a sense of well-being. Additionally, exercise is known to increase blood flow and oxygen availability to the brain, boost levels of neurotransmitters like serotonin, and result in the release of myokines from contracting muscles, which have anti-inflammatory effects.
Notably, while the mechanism behind these effects is not entirely understood, it is recognized that exercise helps reduce cortisol levels and can enhance mental health by improving self-esteem and body image, as well as reducing stress. However, increased alertness, enhanced concentration, and improved memory can also all be benefits of regular physical exercise, as they are associated with increased levels of neurotransmitters and the growth of new neuronal pathways in the brain.