What is an effective non-pharmacological intervention for patients experiencing severe stress?

Engaging in physical activity is recognized as an effective non-pharmacological intervention for patients experiencing severe stress. Physical activity has numerous benefits for mental health. It promotes the release of endorphins, which are natural mood lifters, and helps reduce levels of stress hormones like cortisol. Additionally, engaging in physical exercise can provide individuals with a sense of accomplishment, enhance self-esteem, and improve overall well-being.

While creating distractions can serve as a technique to temporarily alleviate stress, it does not address the underlying causes or offer long-term benefits. Isolation from other patients can often exacerbate feelings of anxiety and loneliness, making stress worse rather than improving it. Evaluating medical history is an important task in understanding a patient’s overall health but does not directly provide relief from stress. Therefore, the most effective non-pharmacological intervention among the choices is engaging in physical activity, as it fosters both physical and psychological resilience against stress.