The world is currently struggling with both an influx of major stress while people in great numbers are also unemployed and inactive. This is leading to a massive spike in depression and related symptoms. For these reasons, I was wondering if someone could give me a good explanation for why resting often makes exhausting situations even more exhausting. Thanks!
In: Biology
Long term – because we are a very adaptable animal and we will adapt to low energy situations as well as high energy ones. So in low energy situations we will lose mitochondria (the power plant of the cell) because they aren’t worth the resources to create them. In high energy situations we create them. Active people who enjoy exercise will have more mitochondria and other physiological differences like fat adaptation that allow for sustained higher energy levels.
Short term – because exercise releases endorphins and other biochemicals that increase energy. Adrenaline for example is a hormone that is also used in the brain as a neurotransmitter. In the body it increases energy use, in the brain it increases the sympathetic nervous system and increases heart rate.
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