Can exercise help Anxiety??

2

Replies

  • TheLongRunner
    TheLongRunner Posts: 688 Member
    Absolutely! It also helped with my ADD. I am so much more focused and less stressed. I actually crave my workouts because they help to "regulate" me without anti-depressants or ADD meds!!!!
  • garnet1483
    garnet1483 Posts: 249 Member
    Absolutely! It's not the only thing I've done that's helped, but it's certainly a big one. Both in the immediate sense, and in a more lasting way.

    I've also found that when I eat healthier, and engage more in my food choices (i.e. finding recipes and cooking healthy foods) and drinking more water help.
  • Soapstone
    Soapstone Posts: 134 Member
    Anxiety, depression, insomnia.....YES! All of these!
  • jowings
    jowings Posts: 157 Member
    I definitely think so! I have mild depression and OCD and it really helps alleviate that stress. :)
  • erilynbmore
    erilynbmore Posts: 42 Member
    It definitely helps. I also take medication and most days I have no anxiety at all and it was bad.
  • Elzecat
    Elzecat Posts: 2,916 Member
    Yes!

    It definitely helps! (I say this from personal experience dealing with both depression and anxiety)
  • entropy83
    entropy83 Posts: 172 Member
    I think you have to find what type of exercise helps you. I found water aerobics and moderate walking were helpful.
  • wareagle8706
    wareagle8706 Posts: 1,090 Member
    From my own personal experience.....ABSOLUTELY!!

    :sad: >>::exercise::>> :happy:
  • beccadaniixox
    beccadaniixox Posts: 542 Member
    Very much so! :)
    Since I've started working out regularly I've been a lot calmer and my OCD has been a lot less also.
  • danger_kitteh
    danger_kitteh Posts: 301 Member
    for me absolutely 100%

    I've had anxiety for years that has progressively gotten worse the less active I was. I was always a very anxious person but in my childhood/teenage years I was very active with competitive riding and never really had a problem. I stopped riding and in a nutshell went downhill after that with my activity level - my anxiety level increased to the point where i finally had to be put on medication.

    Last summer at my highest point of anxiety (lowest point of existing?) I decided to make the change in my health for the sake of getting out of the house and doing something. I joined a bootcamp here in town and within a month I was already feeling better. I took a month off and at the end of it, my husband was already signing me up to continue as he could tell that I was better off with the intense level of activity. I'm now 6 months in straight, my eating habits are better, I'm lower in weight and body fat, and my anxiety (and OCD tendencies) these days is next to nothing. I sleep better, I think better, I work better. I'm usually pretty terrible during the winter months with SAD and I've not once had to bring out my Litebook for light therapy this season and I hope it continues.

    One other thing I experienced with my "revelation" last summer was a full blood workup testing specifically for my B vitamin levels. I was in the "Danger zone" for my B12. Since being on supplements for that as well, my anxiety has lessened. Something to think about
  • RockaholicMama
    RockaholicMama Posts: 786 Member
    For me, it helped like you wouldn't believe. One more reason I'm excited to get back to the gym after having my second daughter 3 weeks ago.
  • DonnaLRB
    DonnaLRB Posts: 54 Member
    Anxiety, depression, insomnia.....YES! All of these!
    Absolutely! Especially walking outside! And having 2 adorable pups to walk that give you unconditional adoration doesn't hurt, either! ;-)
  • sobriquet84
    sobriquet84 Posts: 607 Member
    ABSOLULUTELY YES!!!!

    I have GAD (generalized anxiety disorder). My anxiety also gives me pretty bad temporomandibular joint disorder due to clenching and tightness.

    Eventhough I have a custom mouth splint that I am supposed to wear at night, excercise is the number one thing that helps me!! I don't like being medicated, and if I go a couple weeks without excercise my symptoms come back like a tidal wave.
  • itontae
    itontae Posts: 138 Member
    Yes.
    Google "23 1/2. Hours"
  • Chagama
    Chagama Posts: 543 Member
    Most definitely.
  • SithZombie
    SithZombie Posts: 165 Member
    100%. Six months ago, when I moved away from home, I couldn't COPE. I was homesick, depressed to the point of suicidal thoughts and broke down from anxiety three or four times a week. Since I started working out and eating better, though, I've FELT better physically and my moods have been uplifted.
  • melissainez85
    melissainez85 Posts: 37
    YES!!! SINCE I STARTED WALKING OUTSIDE I HAVE LESS ANXIETY AND MY MOODS HAVE IMPROVED...i use to walk in place indoors but one day i just took a walk outside and I LOVE IT i listen to music or if my anxiety level is really high i just have like mini therapy sessions with myself in my head as i walk i know that sounds crazy but it really helps gather my thoughts and i sleep better at night...i really have no control with the anxiety it comes and goes and any thing can trigger an attack of tears and chest pain but since i started the outdoor walks iv had no problems!!
  • student94
    student94 Posts: 120 Member
    Definitely does. You might find this article interesting/ informative: http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/depression-and-exercise/MH00043
  • blessmy5
    blessmy5 Posts: 95
    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.

    Okay - I have to have this book now. I've always know for my hubby and son that exercise helps them both physically and mentally, but now I'll have the actual evidence. Thanks for sharing this book with us!!!!
  • PlanetVelma
    PlanetVelma Posts: 1,223 Member
    YES!!! I'm off all of the medication I was on before because I'm working out regularly.
  • NaturalinCO
    NaturalinCO Posts: 164 Member
    For me, it has helped a LOT! But I also added a good food-based daily vitamin to the mix since I started working out pretty hard back in August. So that probably helps too. I still get anxious around TOM, but overall I feel MUCH better. I work out probably 5x/wk. I hope it helps you!!!
  • Nickysmom126
    Nickysmom126 Posts: 82
    Wow! So much info and advice!! Thank you ALL very much!! My anxiety is horrible at the moment, and seeing how much exercise has helped all of you guys, gives me hope that it could help me too!!

    Again, thank you all...You all rock!! =)


    Ashley
  • MissConfidence
    MissConfidence Posts: 441
    Yes.
    Google "23 1/2. Hours"

    THIS!!

    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aUaInS6HIGo
  • chachita7
    chachita7 Posts: 996 Member
    Can you say HELLS to the YEAH... :)
  • thogston
    thogston Posts: 23 Member
    Definitely it does , it is such a stress reliever and clears the mind. Excellent doctor exercise is !
  • tiptoeketo
    tiptoeketo Posts: 271 Member
    Yes! Absolutely.
  • carolann_22
    carolann_22 Posts: 364 Member
    I still take my zoloft, but I'm getting better results with the zoloft AND exercise than I did with just the zoloft.
  • amanda776
    amanda776 Posts: 50
    Absolutely! I have been struggling with anxiety the past couple of years. I was on meds for about 2 months and I hated the way they made me feel. One spin class or high intensity workout is better than any medication!
  • vikesfanmb
    vikesfanmb Posts: 291 Member
    Yes!! I honestly didn't want to believe it when the doctor said exercise helps anxiety and depression, but the truth is, it really does! And I wouldn't have believed this even 1 year ago, but exercise actually helps increase energy and motiviation. : )
  • nuttyengineer
    nuttyengineer Posts: 112 Member
    Absolutely. I have struggled with anxiety and depression for a couple of years and I have to say, the difference in my mood when I have been exercising vs. being sedentary is enormous. I am usually much happier afterward.

    The best way that I've found to deal with it is to go for a walk outside. Between the fresh air and the sound of nature it does a good job of calming me down.
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