Moderate Activity Is All it Takes

You don't have to workout like a maniac to sweat your worries away. In fact, overly intense exercise routines can have the opposite effect and actually increase stress because they can lead to strain, discomfort and exhaustion. Getting your heart rate up to a moderate level is ideal. According to Hughes, "you know you're at about the right intensity when you're having a conversation and you can only get four to seven words out in a breath."

Make Exercise a Priority

When life gets hectic, exercise tends to be the first thing cut from the "to-do" list. If you can't find 45 consecutive minutes to workout, you'll still get the stress-busting benefits by incorporating short bursts of physical activity into your daily routine. Current health recommendation guidelines from American College of Sports Medicine say that bouts of exercise can be accumulated throughout the day. If you have pockets of free time, put it to good use and get moving. "Instead of going out to lunch, take a walk with some friends," says Hughes. "You'll find it should reduce your stress level and give you more energy."