Exercise and Anxiety: Who Benefits
While everyone can reap psychological benefits from exercise, research suggests that people who may see the biggest improvements in anxiety symptoms are those who:
- Exercise consistently for at least several weeks
- Are not already physically active
- Have severe anxiety
- Do aerobic exercise, such as jogging, swimming, or dancing
Exercise has also been shown to be effective in managing symptoms of depression, which frequently affects people with anxiety disorders.
Exercise and Anxiety: Anti-Anxiety Workouts
Any exercise can help diminish anxiety, but Connolly says aerobic exercise that really gets your heart rate up will be the most beneficial. Some good aerobic exercises that can help manage anxiety are:
- Swimming
- Biking
- Running
- Brisk walking
- Tennis
- Dancing
“Dancing is a great exercise, and it has a lot of other side benefits. And it’s great when you dance with other people,” notes Connolly, since socializing can also boost your mood.
Though not aerobic, yoga can help offset anxiety symptoms. Yoga combines physical movement with meditation and deep breathing to help calm the mind and alleviate worry.
While weight training and other strengthening exercises are important for your overall health, they don’t seem to offer as much anxiety relief as activities that get your heart rate going.
We all know that exercise is good for the body, and now research shows that it’s also good for the mind. In addition to managing your anxiety with a doctor’s help, exercise is a powerful tool you can use to enhance your physical and mental health.
Last Updated: 06/02/2009
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