Scientists at the University of Michigan found that moderate physical activity helps deal with "burnout" ; in the workplace and feel more satisfied with work. The results of the study were published in the Journal of Occupational & Environmental Medicine.
Experts analyzed the relationship between physical activity and burnout. For this purpose, 520 employees were surveyed, who were divided into groups with low, medium and high activity, after which the differences were assessed on three subscales of the burnout scale: emotional exhaustion, personal achievement and depersonalization.
Among study participants, 23 percent reported low activity, 60 percent moderate activity, and 25 percent high activity. The moderate activity group was found to be less emotionally exhausted than the low activity group. However, low-activity workers experienced less reduction in personal achievement than those who exercised vigorously or moderately.
There were no significant differences in depersonalization scores between groups. They also found that vigorous physical activity did not reduce emotional exhaustion or increase feelings of personal accomplishment more than moderate activity. This challenges the idea that more exercise is always better.
According to the authors, moderate to vigorous physical activity increases levels of a protein called brain-derived neurotrophic factor. Improves brain health, cognitive function and mental health.