--- title: "Meaning & Key Takeaway of: Exercise mitigates the effects of stress…" description: "\"Exercise mitigates the effects of stress - and stress, we know, shortens telomeres. In fact, early studies indicate that stress reduction techniques li..." image: "https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/elizabeth-blackburn-12953_early_exercise-mitigates-the-effects-of-stress_3045687.jpg" --- # Exercise mitigates the effects of stress - and stress, we… ![“Exercise mitigates the effects of stress - and stress, we know, shortens telomeres. In fact, early studies indicate that stress reduction techniques like meditation help people maintain the length of their telomeres.” quote by Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/elizabeth-blackburn-12953_early_exercise-mitigates-the-effects-of-stress_3045687.jpg) [Download](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/elizabeth-blackburn-12953_early_exercise-mitigates-the-effects-of-stress_3045687.jpg) [Open image](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/i/bc2/elizabeth-blackburn-12953_early_exercise-mitigates-the-effects-of-stress_3045687.jpg) > “Exercise mitigates the effects of stress - and stress, we know, shortens telomeres. In fact, early studies indicate that stress reduction techniques like meditation help people maintain the length of their telomeres.” [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) ## About This Quote This interpretation was drafted with AI assistance. It is one reading of the quote, not the author's own explanation. Exercise reduces stress, which can protect telomere length, a cellular aging marker. **In simple terms:** Exercise helps keep cells younger. Key Takeaway Exercise regularly to protect cellular health. Themes health stress cellular aging longevity Mood motivational inspirational Type advice scientific When to use this quote - daily workout - meditation practice - workplace wellness - preventive health Key Concepts telomere biology stress physiology exercise science Questions to Reflect On - How can you integrate exercise into a busy schedule? - What other habits support telomere health? A Different Perspective Exercise alone cannot reverse existing telomere shortening. ★ ★ ★ ★ ★ No ratings yet [Early](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/early/) [Effects Stress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/effects-stress-562280/) [Exercise Mitigates](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/exercise-mitigates-5041497/) [Fitness](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/fitness/) [Help](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help/) [Help people](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/help-people/) [Meditation](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/meditation/) [People](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/people/) [Shortens Telomeres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/shortens-telomeres-5041496/) [Stress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stress/) [Stress reduction](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/stress-reduction/) [Telomeres](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/about/telomeres-1549196/) ## Related quotes > [Chronic emotional stress shortens your telomeres.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-ornish/chronic-emotional-stress-shortens-your-telomeres/) [Dean Ornish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-ornish/) > [In my lab, we're finding that psychological stress actually ages cells, which can be seen when you measure the wearing down of the tips…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/in-my-lab-we-re-finding-that-psychological-stress-actually-ages-cells/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [In humans, the thing is that as we mature, our telomeres slowly wear down. So the question has always been: 'Did that matter?' Well,…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/in-humans-the-thing-is-that-as-we-mature-our-telomeres-slowly-wear/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [Basically, when you look at different types of cells, such as fibroblasts, which form connective tissue, or epithelial cells, from saliva, you see general…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/basically-when-you-look-at-different-types-of-cells-such-as/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [In 2004, results from a study that I worked on with colleagues at the University of California, San Francisco, linked chronic stress to shortening…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/in-2004-results-from-a-study-that-i-worked-on-with-colleagues-at-the/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [For me, arguably the story of telomeres and telomerase began thousands of years ago, in the cornfields of the Maya highlands of Central America.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/for-me-arguably-the-story-of-telomeres-and-telomerase-began-thousands/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [Cancer cells have had so many other things go wrong with them, genetic, non-genetic changes, that those cells, one of the things they then…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/cancer-cells-have-had-so-many-other-things-go-wrong-with-them-genetic/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes in cells. Chromosomes carry the genetic information. Telomeres are buffers. They are like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/telomeres-are-the-protective-caps-at-the-ends-of-chromosomes-in-cells/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [Being ill-prepared and unequipped to deal with life's inevitable challenges leaves us vulnerable to the dangerous effects of stress.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/amy-morin/being-ill-prepared-and-unequipped-to-deal-with-life-s-inevitable/) [Amy Morin](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/amy-morin/) > [Kissing can help manwomen relax and ease the effects of stress](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/anonymous/kissing-can-help-manwomen-relax-and-ease-the-effects-of-stress/) [Anonymous](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/anonymous/) > [Well, much of my research over the years has been on stress, and the adverse effects of stress on the health of the central…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-sapolsky/well-much-of-my-research-over-the-years-has-been-on-stress-and-the/) [Robert Sapolsky](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-sapolsky/) > [I think it's worth trying to do something about obvious sources of stress in your life. But even more important is learning and practicing…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/andrew-weil/i-think-it-s-worth-trying-to-do-something-about-obvious-sources-of/) [Andrew Weil](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/andrew-weil/) > [“People who exercise more and sleep better have longer telomeres.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/stefan-klein/people-who-exercise-more-and-sleep-better-have-longer-telomeres/) [Stefan Klein](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/stefan-klein/) > [Telomeres are the ends of our chromosomes that control how long we live. As telomeres become shorter, then cells age and die more quickly.…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/dean-ornish/telomeres-are-the-ends-of-our-chromosomes-that-control-how-long-we/) [Dean Ornish](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/dean-ornish/) > [In this hectic life, we have no time to take care of ourselves, hence massage is needed for rejuvenation and stress reduction. A lot…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/nargis-fakhri/in-this-hectic-life-we-have-no-time-to-take-care-of-ourselves-hence/) [Nargis Fakhri](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/nargis-fakhri/) ## More by Elizabeth Blackburn > [Perhaps arising from a fascination with animals, biology seemed the most interesting of sciences to me as a child.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/perhaps-arising-from-a-fascination-with-animals-biology-seemed-the/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [Ageing is so many different things, and cells being able to self-renew is part of the picture but not all of it.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/ageing-is-so-many-different-things-and-cells-being-able-to-self-renew/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [Generally, we try to have a situation where the person is healthy, so you're not confounded by disease. So, that means that healthy individuals…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/generally-we-try-to-have-a-situation-where-the-person-is-healthy-so/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [Researchers have found that the brain definitely sends nerves directly to organs of the immune system and not just to the heart and the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/researchers-have-found-that-the-brain-definitely-sends-nerves/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [Checking your telomere length is a bit like weighing yourself: you get this single number which depends on a lot of factors. Telomere length…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/checking-your-telomere-length-is-a-bit-like-weighing-yourself-you-get/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [“Remember, as Ralph Waldo Emerson said, “Don’t be too timid or squeamish about your actions. All life is an experiment. The more experiments you…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/remember-as-ralph-waldo-emerson-said-don-t-be-too-timid-or-squeamish/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [If a test showed you had telomere shortening, it would be a red flag suggesting you should take a look at possible risk factors.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/if-a-test-showed-you-had-telomere-shortening-it-would-be-a-red-flag/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [Telomeres are the protective caps at the ends of chromosomes in cells. Chromosomes carry the genetic information. Telomeres are buffers. They are like the…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/telomeres-are-the-protective-caps-at-the-ends-of-chromosomes-in-cells/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [I was using very unconventional methods to sequence the telemetric DNA, originally.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/i-was-using-very-unconventional-methods-to-sequence-the-telemetric/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [One characteristic aspect of ageing is the increased susceptibility to disease, particularly age-related diseases such as cardiovascular diseases and cancer.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/one-characteristic-aspect-of-ageing-is-the-increased-susceptibility/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [I'm pretty good about getting some exercise every day - well, most days. The secret for me was to put the elliptical in front…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/i-m-pretty-good-about-getting-some-exercise-every-day-well-most-days/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [Observational studies show that exercise, nutritional supplements and reducing psychological stress can help. Chronic high stress and smoking can lead to accelerated telomere shortening.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/observational-studies-show-that-exercise-nutritional-supplements-and/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [This enzyme, called telomerase, slows the rate at which telomeres degrade, and research indicates that healthy people with longer telomeres have less risk of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/this-enzyme-called-telomerase-slows-the-rate-at-which-telomeres/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [Biology sometimes reveals its fundamental principles through what may seem at first to be arcane and bizarre.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/biology-sometimes-reveals-its-fundamental-principles-through-what-may/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) > [In my early work, our molecular views of telomeres were first focused on the DNA.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/elizabeth-blackburn/in-my-early-work-our-molecular-views-of-telomeres-were-first-focused/) [Elizabeth Blackburn](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) [Explore all 49 Elizabeth Blackburn quotes ](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/elizabeth-blackburn/) ## More Early quotes > [I was also known as Frodo because I was an early adopter of 'The Lord of the Rings.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/tom-perrotta/i-was-also-known-as-frodo-because-i-was-an-early-adopter-of-the-lord/) [Tom Perrotta](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/tom-perrotta/) > [It's very easy to fool yourself that you're working, you know, when you're really not working very hard. I mean, I'm very lazy. So…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/robert-caro/it-s-very-easy-to-fool-yourself-that-you-re-working-you-know-when-you/) [Robert Caro](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/robert-caro/) > [I knew music was for me from an early age.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/jonas-blue/i-knew-music-was-for-me-from-an-early-age/) [Jonas Blue](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/jonas-blue/) > [I definitely count my blessings. I feel like I've had such a great ride. Early on, to be able to work with some of…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/winona-ryder/i-definitely-count-my-blessings-i-feel-like-i-ve-had-such-a-great/) [Winona Ryder](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/winona-ryder/) > [I had been exposed to bitcoin early. I thought the consumer application of it felt, to me, further away. I thought there would be…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brad-garlinghouse/i-had-been-exposed-to-bitcoin-early-i-thought-the-consumer/) [Brad Garlinghouse](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brad-garlinghouse/) > [In the beginning, if you look at those early label albums of the Chicks, we didn't write all that much. We had an A&R…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/martie-maguire/in-the-beginning-if-you-look-at-those-early-label-albums-of-the/) [Martie Maguire](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/martie-maguire/) > [With 'Aurangzeb,' I just knew that the film wasn't going to work, though I think it was one of my most underrated performances. I…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/arjun-kapoor/with-aurangzeb-i-just-knew-that-the-film-wasn-t-going-to-work-though/) [Arjun Kapoor](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/arjun-kapoor/) > [I grew up in the early '60s, and there was a lot of civil rights, a lot of unrest in our country.](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/herm-edwards/i-grew-up-in-the-early-60s-and-there-was-a-lot-of-civil-rights-a-lot/) [Herm Edwards](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/herm-edwards/) > [The early days were really difficult because it was constant no's, I didn't have an agent. I always knew that I had something to…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/madelyn-cline/the-early-days-were-really-difficult-because-it-was-constant-no-s-i/) [Madelyn Cline](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/madelyn-cline/) > [The latest I like to be to meeting is 15 minutes early](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/david-o-mckay/the-latest-i-like-to-be-to-meeting-is-15-minutes-early/) [David O. McKay](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/david-o-mckay/) > [“Why'd she leave so early? It's practically yesterday.”](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/maggie-stiefvater/why-d-she-leave-so-early-it-s-practically-yesterday/) [Maggie Stiefvater](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/maggie-stiefvater/) > [The game business arose from computer programs that were written by and for young men in the late 1960s and early 1970s. They worked…](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/brenda-laurel/the-game-business-arose-from-computer-programs-that-were-written-by/) [Brenda Laurel](https://sms4smile.com/quotes/author/brenda-laurel/) > [For years, I had a top secret clearance and never left Russia. 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