Exercise Tips for Anxiety Sufferers

Other than making you lose excess pounds and attain better health, exercising is something that may also combat anxiety. For many anxiety sufferers, being physically active alone can help put an end to their problem. For others, exercising regularly may be one of the different things that may be done in order to have their anxiety managed properly.


It’s no secret that moderate to intense exercising has a positive impact on the mood. That’s because walking, swimming, dancing or playing basketball stimulates the production of endorphins, hormones that make you feel good and happy. Simultaneously, exercising gets rid of excess adrenaline and cortisol, hormones released by the body when you’re stressed. You may know by now that stress is something that can leave you feeling anxious.
Because of the effects of exercising on your hormones, it’s very beneficial for anxiety sufferers. The introduction of more physical activities on a daily basis alone is usually enough for the problem’s impact on their lives lessened considerably. By focusing on exercising, their minds are diverted towards what they are doing and away from anxious thoughts.
Exercising on a regular basis also helps promote better sleep. Having a good night’s sleep may be elusive for individuals who are battling anxiety. It’s actually a vicious cycle — the more sleep deprived you get, the more anxious you become! Lack of sleep causes the same reactions to your mind and body as stress. Exercising burns excess energy and adrenaline in your bloodstream, and this helps you enjoy much-needed sleep at night.
There’s no questioning that starting a regular exercise regiment can be very challenging. This is especially true among anxiety sufferers. It can be very tricky for anyone with anxiety to embrace exercising into their lives because of the various symptoms associated with the problem such as uneasiness, muscle tension, breathing difficulty and palpitations.
In order to help convince yourself that it is perfectly fine for you to exercise on a regular basis, it’s a great idea to let your doctor know about your plan. By pointing out that your body is in a state wherein it can exercise regularly and actually benefit from such, your doctor can let you realize that being more physically active is possible and a good thing too!
The following are some foolproof tips on how you can get started on having your regular dose of exercise:
• Start by doing more physical activities. Whether you’re suffering from anxiety or not, exercising should be started at a light intensity. Begin by being on your feet more often. Walk around your house.
• Walking is the easiest form of exercise. Consider walking around the neighborhood for 20 minutes daily. It’s a low-impact exercise that’s very effective in burning excess calories and decreasing your stress and anxiety levels.
• Look for activities that you enjoy doing or are interested in. No matter if it’s dancing or playing badminton you find enjoyable, make it a part of your exercise regimen. Again, gradually go from light to moderate intensity.
• Try out several different exercises. It’s a great idea to sample an assortment of physical activities so that you may experience firsthand which ones you find enjoyable. Exercising need not feel a drag if you love what you’re doing.
• Exercise with a family member or friend. Staying motivated is easier if you have a workout buddy. The two of you can share exercise tips and tricks, and compare one another’s progress.
• Opt for more intense forms of exercises. The moment that you feel that you could use some challenge, feel free to pick exercises that are more intense. Some examples are swimming, jogging and taking up spinning classes.
• Remember to meditate. Nothing can combat your anxiety better than meditating. An excellent way to do such is by taking up yoga which helps calm both your body and mind.