There are two types of exercising:

Aerobic and Anaerobic.

1. Aerobic exercise releases stress - reducing hormones, burns fat and so reduces body weight, increasing your energy and sense of well-being. It is slower and repetitive with a low intensity e.g. walking, jogging, cycling or swimming.

2. Anaerobic exercise depletes energy by burning sugar for muscle energy, increases adrenalin and other stress hormones, raises blood pressure and causes tiredness after the exercise has taken place. It is brief and high intensity, emphasising speed or strength e.g. squash, lifting weights or sprinting.

Which exercise is best?

It is absolutely vital to correctly and adequately stretch all muscles which have been exercised.

Any exercise which keeps your pulse rate within 60-80% of maximum range. Ensure you exercise for at least 20 minutes (preferably 30-60 minutes) at least three times a week. It should be low impact, in other words not jarring to the body e.g. running on pavements is more jarring than cycling or swimming. Exercise should be varied and any anaerobic exercise should be reduced in times of stress. Lunchtime is a good time to exercise as it can prevent the build up of stress throughout the day.

It is absolutely vital to correctly and adequately stretch all muscles which have been exercised.