ANXIETY AND WORKING OUT

New information from Harvard Medical School points out the importance of exercise to release tension and anxiety.

 

ANXIETY is the ailment we all suffer in one way or another in one time of our lives or another. Adults, teenagers, college students, anybody can experience a chronic anxiety disorder or feel tremendous or mild anxiety once in a while. 

Feeling anxiety can increase the risk of other psychiatric disorders like depression, or cardiovascular problems or diabetes, among others. 

The irony resides in the fact that most people suffering from anxiety tend to be more sedentary, nevertheless, getting out and moving may be the single best nonmedical solution for preventing and treating anxiety.  

Research shows aerobic exercise is especially helpful. A simple bike ride, dance class, or even a brisk walk can be a powerful tool for those suffering from chronic anxiety. Activities like these also help people who are feeling overly nervous and anxious about an upcoming test, a big presentation, or an important meeting.

HOW DOES EXERCISE HELP RELEASE ANXIETY?

1. It diverts our mind 

2. Decreases muscle tension

3. Getting our heart rate up changes brain chemistry, increasing the availability of relevant anti-anxiety neurochemicals.

4. Exercise activates frontal regions of the brain responsible for executive functions.

5. Regular exercise builds up resources that reinforce resilience against stormy emotions.

 

So exactly how much exercise does one need to protect against episodes of anxiety and anxiety disorders?

Bottom line: when it comes to treating anxiety, more exercise is better.

Which type of exercise you choose may be irrelevant. People experienced improvement no matter which types of activity they tried, even general physical activity is helpful. The important thing is to try exercises you like and enjoy, and keep doing them. 

I, myself, highly recommend Yoga since it attacks anxiety and nervousness from very different angles. Besides a physical activity promoting stretching which relaxes muscles, yoga centres on relaxation through breathing and meditation. These all make yoga a remarkably complete activity. No less, yoga strengthens and tones muscles. What else do we want?

To maximize the benefits of exercise:

• Choose something enjoyable so you will do it repeatedly, building resilience.
• Work toward getting your heart rate up.
• Work out with a friend or in a group to reap the added benefit of social support.
• If possible, exercise in nature or green space, which further lowers stress and anxiety. 
• If possible, take your shoes off so you can feel the grass and soil while performing some specific exercises, this will add some extra tension relief.  

It will be easy for you to determine the kind and the amount of exercise you need, just focus on how good you feel after and during working out. 

 

I am Love I am Success!

Remember that loving ourselves means taking care, pampering and enjoying our health and our bodies, looking good and feeling good to please ourselves in the very first place and then to please others. The book I am Love … I am Success takes you through the path of that love for ourselves!