Can exercise help Anxiety??

Nickysmom126
Nickysmom126 Posts: 82
edited November 10 in Fitness and Exercise
Hey everyone, I suffer from anxiety, and was just wondering if there is ANYONE on here, that has suffered with anxiety, and started working out, and then that helped them??

Thank you all in adavance!!!
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Replies

  • brismom070897
    brismom070897 Posts: 178 Member
    From my own personal experience.....ABSOLUTELY!!
  • firedragon064
    firedragon064 Posts: 1,082 Member
    Yes it does. For me a high/moderate intensity work out over 15 minutes does it for me,
    also outdoor walking/hiking (walking in treadmill won't do the trick).

    Also you should look into meditation and deep breathing techniques.
    It would help you to be conscious what's going in your mind and can control the mind better.
  • brandiuntz
    brandiuntz Posts: 2,717 Member
    Simply, yes. I used to suffer from anxiety and depression. Exercise does help regulate both.
  • taso42
    taso42 Posts: 8,980 Member
    Seems to help a lot. But not a complete "cure", at least for me.
  • JAM7791
    JAM7791 Posts: 47 Member
    Holy moly yes! Big time!
  • TheKitsune6
    TheKitsune6 Posts: 5,798 Member
    Running helps me manage my anxiety greatly!
  • drea0703
    drea0703 Posts: 83 Member
    Same here. Especially lifting weights does the trick for me. It makes me feel stronger and more in control. Hope you´ll find your way, though. Anxiety can be beaten!!!!
  • infamousmk
    infamousmk Posts: 6,033 Member
    It definitely helps, but hasn't made it go away or anything like that. Just more manageable overall.
  • YES! I haven't had a panic attack in months now. :smile:
  • Simply, yes. I used to suffer from anxiety and depression. Exercise does help regulate both.

    agreed
  • lostemt76
    lostemt76 Posts: 136 Member
    Yes it does. For me a high/moderate intensity work out over 15 minutes does it for me,
    also outdoor walking/hiking (walking in treadmill won't do the trick).


    I agree with the walk outside. I suggest this many people and they thank me in the end. Also weight lifting helps me and I have to get back to that.
  • petreebird
    petreebird Posts: 344 Member
    Definitely helps!! But yeah, you have to do it in a way that you are also visually stimulated and distracted...so outside is great!! Not a complete cure, but it does help!
  • Wow I didnt expect to get replies that soon! Thank you ALL for the replies, I appreciate it!! Its nice to know if I start working out that it could possibly help with my anxiety! Thanks again!!
  • llahairdna
    llahairdna Posts: 502 Member
    Exercise is HUGE in reducing stress and anxiety. In fact, when I got divorced 3 years ago, the only thing that kept me from blowing up his house was late night trips to the gym!
  • julie781
    julie781 Posts: 221 Member
    Yoga + power walking
  • Aileen46
    Aileen46 Posts: 176 Member
    I find it's helped me too. I have panic attacks and anxiety, plus depression. When I work out, the endorphine rush really helps my moods.
  • invisibubble
    invisibubble Posts: 662 Member
    Yes, absolutely. Often I'll get panic attacks triggered by the adrenaline, but you even learn to work through those. It helps lessen anxiety no end and it helps you cope with attacks more too, in the long run. You might find it really difficult at first but it is very worth it.
  • JanetLM73
    JanetLM73 Posts: 1,226 Member
    YES! I have suffered with anxiety for 15+ years....and I noticed a huge difference since I started working out on a regular basis.
  • ohnuts14
    ohnuts14 Posts: 197
    I've suffered with horrible anxiety my whole life, and I do have to say... when I began working out everyday, after a while... everything just kind of balanced out. I've always felt like I had no energy, but after a month or two of making myself work out everyday, not only did I have more energy in social situations... but I also felt more relaxed as well, if that makes sense. I didn't feel nervous or anxious, I started to feel kind of care free, something I don't think I've ever experienced lol. So yeah, I definitely think it can help! I've also come to rely on exercise when I'm feeling anxious and stressed out. Normally I'd always resort to binge attacks, but now more often than not, exercise is my new xanax. :P
  • sarabelle0
    sarabelle0 Posts: 49 Member
    100% YES!!!
  • jem33199
    jem33199 Posts: 80 Member
    Absolutely! The reasons why are covered in detail in the book Spark: The Revolutionary New Science of Exercise and the Brain by Ratey. He also talks about addiction, stress, depression and ADD. It is a great book. It hs motivated me in a different way than I have been in the past.
  • Aileen46
    Aileen46 Posts: 176 Member
    Exercise is HUGE in reducing stress and anxiety. In fact, when I got divorced 3 years ago, the only thing that kept me from blowing up his house was late night trips to the gym!

    Love it! lol
  • sassygamma
    sassygamma Posts: 84 Member
    Yes absolutely it does, I am a high anxiety person also, and when i do exercise it makes me feel so much better....
  • therealangd
    therealangd Posts: 1,861 Member
    Absolutely. It does.

    I was able to stop taking my anti-anxiety meds.

    I'm over the moon thrilled with that.
  • Donnacoach
    Donnacoach Posts: 540 Member
    Personal experience answers YES FOR SURE!!!!!
  • YES

    for me, over eating and caffiene makes it so much worse

    exercise helps! a walk every day makes my brain feel less muddled :)
  • Samiwhereareyou
    Samiwhereareyou Posts: 277 Member
    I have had sever anxiety and paranoia so much that it was hard to leave the house. Yoga has helped a lot and meditation. finding a safe place to work out if key. I started running and kick boxing for practical reasons or running away or punching harder but when it came to running outside at night I would get spooked. So afternoon runs I find work best for me. I hope you find peace I know how caged in anxiety can feel.
  • stacygayle
    stacygayle Posts: 349 Member
    Exercise releases endorphins which in turn decrease anxiety. :)
  • I suffer from depression and anxiety and i have noticed a big change ....:) Keep at it.. it wont go away but it ill be manageable..
  • runs4zen
    runs4zen Posts: 769 Member
    RUN! RUN! RUN!

    It's a miracle cure...you work out all those things that make you nuts and cause the anxiety...or at least the endorphins kick in and the anxiety lessens!
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