Anxiety can drain a body of energy and happiness, making a it a very tiring disorder. However, there are easy steps to take at home to change the way anxiety affects everyday life. Like changing your diet, exercise is an important part of treatment, and it is easy to start at anytime. Exercise has already been proven to improve physical condition and fight diseases, but it can reduce fatigue, improve alertness and concentration, and produce endorphins. Endorphins are chemicals in the brain that act as natural painkillers. They do not harm your body like some medicines for anxiety do, and it also improves the ability to sleep, therefore reviling anxiety sufferers from a common ailment.
Exercise As A Treatment For Anxiety:
Exercise does not necessarily mean a joining a gym and going through grueling workouts every day. Psychologists that have studied the relationship between exercise and anxiety suggest that a 10-minute walk could be just as beneficial as a 45-minute workout. A quick walk around the block could lead to hours of anxiety and stress relief, and you don’t have to dedicate an absurd amount of time to it. People who exercise on a regular basis also have lower rates of anxiety than people who are relatively inactive. In a certain study, it was shown that people who got regular exercise were 25 percent less likely to develop an anxiety disorder over the next five years. One aggressive workout session can alleviate symptoms for a few hours, but if a person exercises on a regular schedule may significantly reduce symptoms of anxiety over time.
Find A Workout Partner:
It is not hard to get started with exercise as part of anxiety treatment. As mentioned above, it does not need to be an intense workout that a person is not prepared for. One step to take is to find a workout buddy. It will be easier to be motivated if someone is alongside you working out. They will often encourage you and make getting out of the house a bit easier on the days where the anxiety is ruling your body. Finding a class at a gym could also work as a motivator. For more introverted people, solo workouts work better, like jogging or swimming. For these solo activities, listening to music will help as a distraction from any thoughts swimming around in the mind.
Consistency:
Some people find it easiest to start out doing different workouts throughout the week. 30 minutes for 5 days a week will help the body get used to working out. It is better to create consistency with working out than to have a perfect workout. Often times these workouts include jogging, walking, biking or dancing. It is important to find a workout you enjoy doing so the experience is a positive one, and not one that creates any anxiety. Find which workout best fits your lifestyle and makes you feel the best. This will ensure that exercise will be an enjoyable experience. Make sure to be patient; it takes time for the body to get used to working out. It can take four to eight weeks for the body to feel sufficiently in shape for exercising to become easier.