What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is an emotion characterized by feelings of tension, worried thoughts and physical changes like increased blood pressure. It often is a reaction to a deeper emotional challenge. One in five Americans over 18, and one in three teenagers 13 to 18, reported having a chronic anxiety disorder during the past year. The toll of anxiety can be high: it increases a person’s risk for other psychiatric disorders like depression, and can contribute to diabetes and cardiovascular problems.
What do we do?
Sometimes our mind panics and our body responds by releasing cortisol and adrenaline. Fight and flight! A natural response to stress! So what do we do! Stop what you are doing! Do 20 minutes of exercise! Go outside, get some fresh air, clear your mind! Go for a walk, a run, swim, or do a basic 20 minutes workout! It takes about 20 minutes for the body to counteract the anxiety hormones with the release of endorphins, serotonin along with dopamine, norepinephrine.
How does exercise help ease anxiety?
A recent study in the journal Anxiety-Depression found that people with anxiety disorders who reported high-level physical activity were better protected against developing anxiety symptoms than those who reported low physical activity.
Engaging in exercise distracts you from the very thing you are anxious about.
Moving your body decreases muscle tension, lowering the body’s contribution to feeling anxious.
Getting your heart rate up changes brain chemistry,
Exercise activates frontal regions of the brain responsible for executive function,
Exercising regularly builds resilience against stormy emotions.
So what are you waiting for ? Go out there and EXERCISE!
Thank you for reading
Emily Weeks
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