Number One Thing you can do to Reduce Anxiety...

Exercise?

A good friend of mine had been suffering from extreme anxiety since I had known her back in middle school. At times the anxiety she felt would build up to such a point that her head would spin, she would sweat, and she even became physically ill on many occasions. After eventually being prescribed a plethora of pills to help ease the anxiety symptoms she noted some poor side effects that she would rather live without.

“I began hiking every day and lowering my dosages,” she explained. “I’m at the point now where all I really need is exercise to help manage my anxiety!”

I wasn’t too sure about that. The thought of exercise to me is enough to GIVE me anxiety, not relieve it. How could it work?

Exercise: The Stress Relief you’ve been Looking For

If you have ever felt tense, uptight, or stressed at any point (who hasn’t?), you can perhaps relate to the feeling of having a coil continually twist tighter inside of your body. When you enter into any for of exercise, you are undoing the twists and loosening that coil to the point where that wound up spring is back to being a straight line once again. Exercise helps you expel those negative stress-induced feelings that are also partly fueled by adrenaline. If you do not find a way to get rid of the excess adrenaline that builds up naturally throughout the day, it only helps keep one tense and in a negative state.

How exercise actually allows one to feel more relaxed and at ease is based on several different factors, such as:

• It is a distraction from any problems going on in your life

• Exercise gives one a sense of accomplishment and fulfillment

• Exercise can improve one’s self image exponentially

• The flow of blood to the brain is increased, which helps us think clearer and more positively

• Exercise releases hormones (endorphins and adrenaline) that make us feel “happy”

• Levels of morphine-like substances that are naturally present in our body increase, which in turn have a positive effect on our mood.

What many people don’t also realize is that as exercise is helping relieve tension and anxiety, it in turn helps people deal with and combat depression. Anxiety and depression quite often do go hand in hand, so if you find yourself also suffering from depression starting an exercise routine is certainly a healthy way to begin a new and happier you.

How can I Start Exercising?

Gage yourself appropriately. What is your fitness level like right now? If a 30 minute walk leaves you breathless, start taking a 30 minute walk every day. If an intense walk is easy for you, try jogging, swimming, or playing a sport. The ultimate goal is to incorporate a couple different forms of exercise, such as:

Aerobic exercise: Running, bicycling, playing tennis, and walking the dog are all examples of aerobic exercises.

Anaerobic Exercises: Lifting weights, resistance training, and Pilates are all forms of anaerobic exercises.

Be sure not to over extend yourself when you first begin incorporating exercise into your daily life, and be sure to change up your routine every once in a while to keep things fresh, fun and interesting.

NOTE: Before beginning any sort of work out or exercise regime, be sure to discuss your fitness goals with your physician first.