A team of doctors researching at the University of California have proven that exercise not only relieves the harmful physical effects of stress but also reduces genetic deterioration.

It is well known that vigorous exercise releases a chemical in the bloodstream called 'endorphins'. This chemical helps you relax and feel good.

It is also well known that stress releases a cocktail of chemicals into your bloodstream that breaks down your body’s cellular structure. This harmful effect on the body has been found to increase the incidence of all kinds of diseases (such as high blood pressure, heart problems and even cancer).

Stress management experts around the world recommend exercise as an effective way to relieve and deal with stress. The following study shows that exercise not only reduces stress but can actually help you live longer.

Study Show Link Between Exercise, Stress Relief

Short bursts of very vigorous exercise  can significantly lower the effects of stress on cellular aging, according to research from doctors at the University of California at San Francisco.

According to lead researcher Eli Puterman, PhD, exercise can actually prolong the deterioration of a genetic tail at the end of cells called a telomere.

Puterman and his team examined 63 older women, most of whom came from a similar background and lifestyle. Those who engaged in at least 40 minutes of exercise three times a week were found to have longer telomeres and lower overall stress levels.

"Physical activity is so good for you and stress is bad for you, but the new study shows the stress-buffering effects of physical activity in those who are chronically stressed," Puterman told WebMD. "People know stress is bad for the heart and makes you look tired and haggard and makes us more vulnerable to infections. And there is so much accumulating evidence that links stress to health, so to show that there is something we can do when we are stressed that can delay or buffer the impact is exciting."

The study appears in the current edition of journal PLoS ONE.