Anyone here have Anxiety?

mizztanjo
mizztanjo Posts: 153 Member
in Fitness and Exercise
Just a general discussion about the combo of anxiety and exercise. Anyone workout to help their anxiety, OCD, depression? What workouts do you do to help and does it work for you?
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Replies

  • rogers8702
    rogers8702 Posts: 533 Member
    Running has been the best medicine for my anxiety I have been on many of medication since I was 10 years old but through running have learned how to control as much as possible anxieties and depression.
    When life gets tough I run run run :)
  • lindamarierita
    lindamarierita Posts: 11 Member
    For me any aerobic style exercise. I prefer the elliptical, was running but can't due to my knees. Walking is good too.
  • mrst0
    mrst0 Posts: 8 Member
    walking is my choice, I do it even to get kinks out of my legs in the morning, and yes I take antidepressant, have for over 10 years
  • kami3006
    kami3006 Posts: 4,978 Member
    I was diagnosed with chronic depression when I was a kid; I'm now 41. While medication does help, I have been able to cut my dose in half by supplementing it with regular exercise. For me, it doesn't matter if I run or do some heavy lifting, either instantly help. It does the same for the anxiety that comes with depression.
  • ovidnine
    ovidnine Posts: 314 Member
    Yup. Exercise in general helps me with depression and lifting helps me a bit with anxiety too.

    I want to get stronger. To get stronger I HAVE to fail sometimes, its just going to happen. Its ok for it to happen and while mentally I'll obsess about it (I'm already thinking about my main lifts next week, how will I get all the reps in? can I do it? aarrrrgggggghhhH!!!) facing it often helps me overcome. Its still a struggle.

    I personally feel I'm fairly near the edge of needing medication, especially if I fall out of my work out routine. I keep it at bay good enough to never be worse than functional now, but everyone is different and some people will need medication no matter what they do, but exercise is always a good thing.
  • Sonshine1296
    Sonshine1296 Posts: 25 Member
    Every day I exercise is a day I struggle less with anxiety and depression. I like doing the treadmill, elliptical, or even walking at the park.
  • beachhouse758
    beachhouse758 Posts: 371 Member
    Running and yoga for me ;)
  • winnie141
    winnie141 Posts: 211 Member
    I suffer daily and I find exercise does help to a point. For the rest I have to take medication. But for me I walk my dogs daily and elliptical! Vitamin D does help as well but it takes a long time to kick in.
  • Maisha292013
    Maisha292013 Posts: 1 Member
    This is a great question! And I appreciate reading everyone else's response also.. I've been doing yoga and I cannot over emphasize how this form of exercise have decreased not only my anxiety, my nerves, and just all tensions mentally and physically. Committing yourself to a workout- having fun with it- and incorporating as apart of your life change -- you will fell so a dramatic and drastic difference... I've also been drinking energy drinks ( lemon water -- almond milk - eating healthier - and using the treadmill weekly).,. Hope this helps
  • vfit10
    vfit10 Posts: 228 Member
    Deadlifts cure anything :) blast the music load then plates and pick that *kitten* up
  • Hannah220190
    Hannah220190 Posts: 83 Member
    mizztanjo wrote: »
    Just a general discussion about the combo of anxiety and exercise. Anyone workout to help their anxiety, OCD, depression? What workouts do you do to help and does it work for you?

    I find regular weight lifting & running helps x
  • mizztanjo
    mizztanjo Posts: 153 Member
    Love the responses in here! Anxiety/stress is a big part of my life, always has been really.
    I'm always open to new ideas on how to calm it. Love that everyone here seems to walk it off. Guess I should pick up more walking!
    For me, I find watching video's on youtube on how to deal with it helps a ton. I do exercise as well, LOVE fitness.

    I do have a question though, just your thoughts on this....it seems more and more people are becoming overwhelmed with anxiety/depression/stress...do you think it has to do with the fact that we are becoming more and more disconnected with other people, with nature, ect. More connected with technology/social media?
  • hyg99
    hyg99 Posts: 354 Member
    I think we all have bad days and exercise / running is a great way to blast away the day to day carp
  • mbaker566
    mbaker566 Posts: 11,233 Member
    beachhouse758 wrote: »
    Running and yoga for me ;)

    Same And medication for me
  • ChloeS124
    ChloeS124 Posts: 7 Member
    I try to do some yoga at first to calm my muscles then move into sit ups... For some reason they really calm me.
  • AllonsYtotheTardis
    AllonsYtotheTardis Posts: 16,947 Member
    trail running keeps me off anxiety meds, and is the only thing I've found that keeps the panic attacks at bay.
  • katalinax87
    katalinax87 Posts: 146 Member
    mizztanjo wrote: »
    Love the responses in here! Anxiety/stress is a big part of my life, always has been really.
    I'm always open to new ideas on how to calm it. Love that everyone here seems to walk it off. Guess I should pick up more walking!
    For me, I find watching video's on youtube on how to deal with it helps a ton. I do exercise as well, LOVE fitness.

    I do have a question though, just your thoughts on this....it seems more and more people are becoming overwhelmed with anxiety/depression/stress...do you think it has to do with the fact that we are becoming more and more disconnected with other people, with nature, ect. More connected with technology/social media?

    I have bipolar and personally I find that social media helps my social life. Sometimes I retreat from the world when I'm ill and I think without social media it would be easy for me to disappear totally. I can stay connected to people without the pressure of actively socialising. For me I think it has stopped me being as marginalised as I could be.
  • leanlicorice
    leanlicorice Posts: 84 Member
    katalinax87 wrote: »
    I can stay connected to people without the pressure of actively socialising. For me I think it has stopped me being as marginalised as I could be.

    I agree and I'm glad you raised the point. I struggle with clinical depression and anxiety. In the days yonder of troughs, I would bury myself in a book or in bed and not answer the telephone, turn off the lights, etc. At least now I often reach out to others albeit via online mediums.

    Specific to myself, I have discovered four essential aspects to stable mental health:
    1. No alcohol - everytime I have just one drink my mood plummets (worse next day).
    2. Non-restrictive yet nutritionally balanced diet - restriction makes me obsess and my mood plummets and stagnants in a trough for a few weeks. Binge eating soars. However, if I don't eat well ie too much carbs then my mood will also drop. It is really trial and error; everyday is a challenge.
    3. Yoga every morning - my anxiety is high in the morning so this settles my mind. I notice a significant change if I don't practice.
    4. Cardio every afternoon - depression is usually the worst in the afternoon/evening. If I have been able to drag myself to the gym then 20 mins of high intensity cardio helps immensely. If not, then just a light walk around the nearby pond helps. Not as much but it is better than nothing!

    OP thanks for being brave and starting this post. All the best to you.
  • 19gabriela01
    19gabriela01 Posts: 2,090 Member
    I love to exercise. But I cannot even get off bed while in depression. No thoughts about exercise then.

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