Anxiety is the most common mental health disorder in the United States. You should see a professional immediately to help you to alleviate anxiety in Colorado Springs.
The physical benefits of exercise have been well documented and preached. The mental aspects have not been as confidently declared.
Physical activity can benefit everyone who suffers with anxiety. The following are the ways in which exercise reduces anxiety:
Takes your Mind off Anxiety
One of the ways in which exercise helps with anxiety is by giving you something else on which to focus. A characteristic of people with anxiety is that they are always obsessing and worrying about the smallest of issues.
Constantly fixating on your problems will make your anxiety worse. When you are exercising your problems are far from your thoughts. You will instead be focused on finishing a set of pushups or doing box jumps.
Regardless of what you are doing, an hour of completely thinking about something else will do you a lot of good. The more you exercise, the easier it becomes to alleviate anxiety.
Releases Endorphins
When you are anxious, you generally feel uncomfortable. You will release cortisol, which is the hormone responsible for causing stress.
An interesting fact about exercise is that though it is challenging, it releases endorphins – the feel-good hormones in the brain. However, you will feel good if the exercise is neither too challenging nor too easy.
When you are feeling good and happy, you are likely not to get anxious. Social physical activities like sports and dance are the best in this regard.
Reduces Muscular Tension
One of the major causes of anxiety is muscular tension. The body follows where the mind goes, so if your mind is tense your body will be tense too.
By moving your body even in the slightest, you relieve the tension in your muscles. That way you alleviate anxiety.
Stretching is the best way for you to relieve tension in your muscles. Yoga and other such practices are great ways for you to relieve tension in your body and reduce your anxiety.
Socializing
Most physical activities you will find to participate in as exercise are group activities. Even when you go to the gym alone, there will be other people there.
That offers a great opportunity to socialize with others. Socialization has been shown to have a positive effect on minimizing anxiety.
You may even find other people who are using exercise to manage their anxiety which can lead to a bonding experience. Seeing others who are in the same boat as you always give you a different perspective which often reduces your worries.
Developing Resilience
When you exercise and do something challenging, you will be faced with a multitude of negative emotions. The same happens when you have anxiety.
Exercise will help you develop resilience against such emotions by overcoming challenges and empowering yourself. Therefore, when you have anxiety attacks with wild emotions, you will be better equipped to deal with them.
Exercises such as boxing or martial arts are especially helpful in this regard. When you deal with such dangers, handling your emotions becomes easy.
