Which behavior represents adaptive coping with stress?

Which behavior represents adaptive coping with stress?

• A. Procrastinating
• B. Ignoring symptoms
• C. Exercising
• D. Yelling

Answer: (C)

Adaptive coping with stress involves actions that reduce the emotional and physical strain of stress and help restore balance. Exercising fits this because physical activity helps regulate the body's stress response—endorphins rise, adrenaline and cortisol decrease, sleep often improves, and mood is lifted. It also offers a sense of control and accomplishment, which strengthens resilience when facing stress. In contrast, procrastinating delays dealing with the stressor, often increasing anxiety as deadlines approach. Ignoring symptoms masks distress and can let the problem grow worse. Yelling is an impulsive, unregulated response that may vent immediate frustration but typically increases arousal and strains relationships, making stress harder to manage.

Adaptive coping with stress involves actions that reduce the emotional and physical strain of stress and help restore balance. Exercising fits this because physical activity helps regulate the body's stress response—endorphins rise, adrenaline and cortisol decrease, sleep often improves, and mood is lifted. It also offers a sense of control and accomplishment, which strengthens resilience when facing stress.

In contrast, procrastinating delays dealing with the stressor, often increasing anxiety as deadlines approach. Ignoring symptoms masks distress and can let the problem grow worse. Yelling is an impulsive, unregulated response that may vent immediate frustration but typically increases arousal and strains relationships, making stress harder to manage.