Relationship between physical exercise and stress in nursing

Nursing is known as one of the most stressful professions due to the high physical, mental, and emotional demands associated with its care activities and the work environment in which it is carried out. Factors such as workload, high patient demand, irregular shifts and constant exposure to emotionally stressful situations contribute to a challenging work environment that can affect the well-being of nursing professionals. The ability to overcome these difficulties is therefore essential, as it not only impacts the health and quality of life of nurses but also the safety of the care received by patients. One of the tools for coping with stress is physical exercise, which has been shown to have an impact on stress levels and improve overall health. However, in the field of nursing, the relationship between stress and physical exercise remains largely unexplored. Due to their work and personal characteristics, nurses face various barriers such as lack of time, multiple jobs, and financial constraints, among other factors that limit their access to self-care strategies. Therefore, the main objective of this research is to describe the relationship between exercise and perceived stress