Can Exercise Help Treat Anxiety

Exercising, a very polarizing word. Some love it, others hate it. But one thing that we should all agree on: exercise is great for anyone who suffers from anxiety and/or depression.

How Can Exercise Help

According to Harvard Health, exercising can help your anxiety in a few different ways:

1. Exercising is a great distraction from your anxious thoughts

2. Moving your body decreases muscle tension making you feel less anxious

3. When you exercise your body releases endorphins which trigger a positive feeling in your body

4. Exercising regularly builds up resources that bolster resilience against difficult emotions

5. Even some research suggest that exercise works as well as medication for some people to reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.

What Exercise Should You Do

There is no one specific way to workout. Just do anything that gets you moving! You can go for a walk, lift wights, practice yoga, go for a run, play a sport. You also don’t need to work out for hours at a time. According to research, 30 minutes or more of exercise a day for three to five days a week may significantly improve depression or anxiety symptoms. But smaller amounts of physical activity — as little as 10 to 15 minutes at a time — can make a difference too.

So if you aren’t someone who works out a lot, start slow! Do something for a few minutes at a time and build your way up. Start by taking a walk around the block. See the positive difference in your mood.