Answering the Question, “Does Exercise Help With Anxiety?”
• It’s easy to get caught up in the pressures of everyday life and lose sight of taking care of yourself
• 19% of American adults reported a chronic anxiety disorder, with 37% seeking treatment
• CDC recommends at least 30 minutes of moderate physical exercise five days a week to see positive health benefits
• 25% of US adults don’t exercise due to factors such as location, profession, and preexisting health conditions
• Anxiety is a natural physiological reaction to stressful situations that produce feelings of worry, panic, and stress
• Symptoms of anxiety include fear or worry that feel all-encompassing, difficulty sleeping, and trouble concentrating
• Untreated anxiety symptoms can lead to more serious health problems such as depression and a weakened immune system
• When engaging in moderate physical exercise, our hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis is stimulated and neurotransmitters send messages to the body to increase blood circulation
• Several brain regions activate, including our limbic system, the amygdala, and the hippocampus
• Stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol are reduced and “happy hormones” like endorphins and serotonin increase
• Exercise Help With Anxiety and psychological improvements in our emotional state when we begin to see improvements in our physical health
• Exercise is an opportunity to learn how to focus our mental energy and distract our mind from other stressors
• Medical and mental health professionals frequently recommend exercise as a treatment for stress and anxiety
• Types of exercise to reduce anxiety include swimming, running or cycling, tai chi, yoga, and community sports
• Recognize that you’re doing your best and accept that your anxiety symptoms aren’t overreactions you can rationalize away
‘Summary from’www.betterup.com
