The Role of Exercise in Managing Anxiety: A Look at the Research

When it comes to managing your anxiety, exercise may be just what the doctor ordered. Recent studies have revealed that physical activity can combat the symptoms of mental health disorders like anxiety and depression, with some research even showing its potentially long-term effects. In this blog post, we’ll take a deeper dive into the role of exercise in managing anxiety.

Exercise can be a very helpful reliever of stress and anxiety. Many studies have shown that physical activity releases feel-good chemicals in the brain that can give you a sense of well-being. The types of exercise involved don't necessarily have to be rigorous, even something as simple as going for a walk or light yoga can significantly help reduce levels of anxiety over time. Exercise is thought to work by increasing the intensity of your focus on the physical activity while reducing self-focus, rumination, and agitation. Additionally, it helps build muscle strength and endurance which can help keep stress levels under control in certain situations. Regular exercise should always be combined with other therapeutic approaches such as cognitive behavioural therapy or mindfulness to get maximum benefit from every session.

Exercise is an excellent way to reduce stress hormone levels, leading to improved mental and physical wellbeing. What's more, scientific studies have demonstrated that even just a few minutes of activity per day can be beneficial. Beyond the obvious physical health benefits, a little bit of exercise helps produce endorphins, the 'feel good' hormones, while at the same time helping our bodies reduce cortisol and adrenaline levels - hormones associated with stress. Regular physical activity can thus be an effective self-care strategy against stress-triggered emotions such as fatigue and depression. More importantly, it also has a lasting impact on our overall psychological well-being. So if you're feeling overwhelmed or stressed out, try hitting the gym or going for a brisk walk - you're sure to feel better afterwards!

Physical activity has often been thought of as a natural stress reliever and promoting good physical health, but it has also been found to have positive impacts on mental health. An important component of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT), physical activity provides various benefits that help individuals better manage their emotions and behaviour. Aerobic exercise has actually been shown to reduce symptoms of depression and anxiety, which makes incorporating exercise into CBT treatment a great option for clinicians seeking effective interventions for their client's symptoms. Additionally, physical activity also helps improve creativity as well as increase self-esteem and overall well-being - all which can be major contributors to CBT progress in an individual's life. Overall, incorporating physical activity into one's daily routine can easily reap great rewards if used in combination with CBT strategies.

Cannabidiol, or CBD, is receiving increasing attention as an effective tool to add to your daily management of anxiety. Proponents of CBD point to its ability to help individuals relax, among other potential anxiolytic benefits. Additionally, some studies suggest that CBD may amplify serotonin's therapeutic effects.

CBD’s non-psychedelic which means you won’t get a high. The compound which causes a high is THC. Studies suggest that taking THC (i.e. smoking weed/cannabis) can induce anxiety or make it worse. With CBD, you do not have to worry about that, as all legal CBD products in the UK do not contain any THC.

Exercise can be a powerful tool to help manage anxiety. Regularly scheduled physical activity into your day helps focus your mind, allowing you to better cope with the feelings of anxiety and stress. Consider starting with smaller steps, such as taking ten-minute walks in the morning or evening to clear your head and ease tension. Other activities like yoga, biking, or jogging can also do wonders for managing anxious feelings while providing other psychological and physical benefits. Exercise is an excellent way to increase endorphins, which are chemical substances that create positive emotions in the body. As your fitness level builds, try gradually increasing the intensity of exercise when possible for maximum anxiety relief.