Exercise is essential for overall health, and your mental and behavioral health is no exception, especially if you're struggling with anxiety or panic attacks. In fact, individuals with anxiety are proven to benefit from moving their bodies regularly! But which type of exercise is best for you? Maybe you enjoy running, or the slower pace of yoga, or perhaps something else entirely. This guide will help you understand the best exercise for anxiety, as well as some other methods for managing anxiety.
What Exercise Helps Anxiety Best?
As we all know, there are many types of exercise based on our unique preferences and goals. You'll approach exercise differently if you're trying to bulk up versus lose weight, train for a marathon versus just keeping your body toned. For people with anxiety, yoga and running - while two very different kinds of workouts - offer a wealth of benefits for both the mind and body. Let's take a closer look at them now!
Benefits of Yoga for Anxiety
Yoga is a time-honored exercise enjoyed by people across the globe. Known for its long stretches, deep breathing, and inner reflections, yoga is a mindful practice that involves moving your body with intention and synching with your breath. This body-mind connection can often be a calming experience for people with anxiety, which research has proven - a review of 35 trials assessing yoga’s effect on stress and anxiety found that 25 of the 35 trials reported a reduction in anxiety symptoms.
Studies continue to show that a yoga practice can boost your mood, reduce feelings of stress, and improve general wellness. If you’re seeking a low-impact form of exercise to cope with your anxiety, you might consider giving yoga a try. Start small if you're a beginner, with light stretches and careful transitions into each pose. For more advanced yogis, try new forms of yoga to find the stretches that best calm anxious feelings. Many gyms and private trainers offer group yoga classes, and you can find videos online to guide you through the exercise if you prefer to practice at home.
Benefits of Running for Anxiety
Running - you either love it or hate it! Jogging around the block or hitting the treadmill for an hour is as normal as breathing for some people, while for others it sounds like a chore. For those with anxiety, though, it could be just the solution you're searching for to reduce symptoms of anxiety. Research shows that running boosts feel-good chemicals in your brain, releasing hormones like dopamine and serotonin. A running routine increases happiness, eases stress, improves sleep, and decreases general symptoms of mental illness over a longer period of time compared to one or two jogs a year.
Thus, running can be a great option for individuals experiencing conditions like anxiety and depression. It offers similar benefits as yoga, but running is high impact, so keep this in mind before taking to the pavement. You may start slow by powerwalking around the block or jogging ten minutes each day before working up to longer runs around the neighborhood. Soon, you may even find yourself getting up early to run for a community 5K!
Other Steps to Take
As you can see exercise in general, whether through yoga or running or other workouts you may prefer, can help you cope with anxiety. No matter what kind of exercise you're doing, what counts is that you’re moving your body and getting those dopamine releases in order to reduce anxiety symptoms.
If exercise isn't fully working and you're still struggling, remember that this isn’t the only way to manage your symptoms. There are other steps you can take to get your anxiety under control. These may include:
- Seeing a Therapist: Behavioral therapy for anxiety is an excellent resource for managing your mental health. A therapist will work with you to develop coping strategies, self-soothing techniques, and healthy habits. Your therapy appointments are a safe and confidential place to talk about your challenges and victories.
- Trying Group Counseling: Your therapist might recommend that you try group counseling for anxiety as well. Discussing your symptoms with a group of your peers can help be healing, while group therapy activities are a great way to learn new ways to manage your anxiety in a safe and welcoming environment.
- Considering Medication: Anxiety medication may also be part of your treatment plan. A psychiatrist will work with you to find the right type of anxiety medication for your needs. They will also talk you through potential side effects and ensure that your prescription is working for you.
Take the First Step in Anxiety Recovery Today
Anxiety can make everyday life more difficult, but it doesn't have to control it. Taking care of yourself and having a mental health team on your side allows you to not only manage anxiety symptoms, but to thrive each and every day. The team at SOL Mental Health is proud to offer anxiety counseling you can trust to see you through the symptoms. Our licensed therapists and psychiatrists will put together a treatment plan based on your unique needs.
Take charge of your life by contacting us today to set up a brief consultation. We are ready to discuss your anxiety symptoms and customize your plan toward recovery.
Does My Insurance Cover a Therapist at SOL Mental Health?
SOL Mental Health is partnered with several insurance providers to make our services more accessible to you. You can verify your insurance through our website before scheduling an appointment.
