When you get stressed a hormone called Adrenocorticotrophic or ACTH is released into your bloodstream. This triggers your fight or flight mechanism by providing you with a boost of energy.

In pre-civilization days, the ACTH was worked out of your system by the triggering of the fight or flight reaction. Unfortunately as we have moved out of the savannah and into the office, the fight or flight mechanism is no longer able to work the ACTH out of your system.

In most situations, the fight or flight mechanism cannot be triggered and you just have to grin and bear what is happening.

Long term exposure to ACTH can cause serious health issues including high blood pressure, ulcers and heart problems. One of the best ways to work the ACTH out of your system is through exercise. Doctors across the Western world are prescribing exercise more and more, particularly to senior office workers who are suffering from stress.

Imagine drinking ten cups of coffee ... that's the effect ACTH has on you.

How much can you relax after drinking ten cups of coffee? Through exercise you can help the ACTH to leave your system and avoid the negative effects it produces.

The type of exercise you take to reduce your stress is entirely up to you. Many people feel that the only way to exercise is to go to the gym. Unfortunately, most of these people really don't like going to the gym. It can be an intimidating and even expensive activity.

However, it is not necessary to go to the gym to get your stress reducing exercise. There are many other options available to you.

My personal favorite is to take walks. Walking is an excellent way to relax and exercise at the same time. It is also not too strenuous and can be a very pleasant social activity. There are many other options available to you - walking to work (if possible), walking at lunchtime, taking up a sport or more.

It is important that you take some exercise, what you do is not important. You have to find what works best for you. You may prefer a sport, you may prefer to swim, you may prefer the gym. Whatever you choose, make sure it is something you enjoy and something you can do regularly.