"When you're very stressed, your body produces a stress hormone called cortisol," Emin Gharibian, PsyD, founder and director of Verdugo Psychological Associates, told POPSUGAR. Cortisol is part of the body's natural "fight or flight" response, but large doses of the hormone can increase your risk of heart disease.
Dr. Gharibian explained that regular exercise helps "flush cortisol out of our bodies." Physical activity doesn't need to be extreme to help decrease stress. Some examples include going for a walk once a day, riding a bike, hitting the treadmill at the gym, or hiking. "The whole point is, get out there and be active," Dr. Gharibian said. "It doesn't matter what you do, as long as it's something you enjoy and can do consistently."