Publication: EFFECTIVENESS OF EXERCISE AS A COPING MECHANISM FOR REDUCING OVERALL STRESS LEVELS IN NURSING STUDENTS
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2024-04-18
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Abstract
Abstract
Student nurses are constantly faced with new challenges and stressors, negatively impacting their mental health and ability to cope. Consistent fitness and physical activity is known to produce serotonin and provide stress relief for students across the globe, positively impacting the mental health of nursing students. Regular exercise provides students with a coping mechanism to improve brain function, cognition, stress levels, and overall mental health.
The first study examined proclaims “student physical activity is associated with lower stress” (Lepping, et al., 2023, p1). As exercise, or physical activity being the main choice of holistic therapy, students reported “feelings of wholeness” (Kinchen, Leorzel, 2019, p5), when using physical activity to reduce their levels of stress. Students at the University of Montana mention that “exercise was students’ most preferred stress reduction activity” (Yzer & Gilasevitch, 2019, p3). This next study recognizes that “research indicates there is a negative relationship between students’ perceived stress and academic performance” (Meyer & Larson, 2018, p1). There is a need for intervention to reduce those stress levels. Tong, 2021, brings the practice of yoga to provide students with mindfulness. The study claims that “even a 60 minute exercise practice can have an immediate impact on stress reduction” (Tong et al., 2021, p6).
Implementing routine exercise among the student population would positively impact nursing students and their stress levels. Based on numerous research findings, nursing students who follow a regular exercise routine have lower stress levels when compared to those who do not engage in physical activity. The evidence gathered proves that exercise positively affects the mind to reduce stress. This would best promote academic integrity and mindfulness, leading to a more positive impact on patients in clinical settings and the future generation of nurses.
Kinchen, E. V., & Loerzel, V. (2019). Nursing Students’ Attitudes and Use of Holistic Therapies for Stress Relief. Journal of Holistic Nursing, 37(1), 6–17. https://doi.org/10.1177/0898010118761910Lepping, K. M., Bailey, C. P., Mavredes, M. N., Faro, J. M., & Napolitano, M. A. (2023). Physical Activity, Stress, and Physically Active Stress Management Behaviors Among University Students With Overweight/Obesity. American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine, 17(4), 601–606. https://doi.org/10.1177/15598276211020688Meyer, S., & Larson, M. (2018). Physical Activity, Stress, and Academic Performance in College: Does Exposure to Stress Reduction Information Make a Difference? College Student Journal, 52(4), 452–457.Tong, J., Qi, X., He, Z., Chen, S., Pedersen, S. J., Cooley, P. D., Spencer-Rodgers, J., He, S., & Zhu, X. (2021). The immediate and durable effects of yoga and physical fitness exercises on stress. Journal of American College Health, 69(6), 675–683. https://doi-org.husson.idm.oclc.org/10.1080/07448481.2019.1705840Yzer, M., & Gilasevitch, J. (2019). Beliefs underlying stress reduction and depression help-seeking among college students: An elicitation study. Journal of American College Health, 67(2), 153–160. https://doi.org/10.1080/07448481.2018.1462828