Anxiety and the benefits of exercise.

Anxiety and the benefits of exercise.

A friend asked me; “Can I prove the link between dealing with anxiety and the benefits of exercise?”

This got me thinking and wanting to share my thoughts.

Anxiety is a common mental health condition that affects millions of people around the world displaying different levels of intensity.

There are many reasons why we may experience an uncontrollable feeling of fear and worry.

It doesn’t just affect us mentally, our bodies also exhibit this imbalance through physical effects such as sweary palms, increased heart rate, nervousness, difficulty sleeping, discomfort and exaggeration of the potential risk posed by our surroundings. This affects our self-esteem.

Stress levels are heightened causing our bodies to release the stress hormones adrenaline and cortisol.

These hormones are designed to protect us, but to continually experience this reaction can be damaging to our overall health and wellbeing.

Lack of sleep, loss of appetite, sweating, changes in our normal behaviour, panic attacks, and negative thoughts resulting in a lack of drive, are further consequences, and the list goes on. Being exposed to any of these things can lead to even more serious issues like depression.

I believe many people can disguise the levels of their anxiety by displaying confidence when they are around others. However, behind closed doors, they have a sense of isolation and not being able to make sense of why they feel they way they do. Not knowing how to make the first step to make their situation better.

I think debilitating levels of anxiety are more common than publicised. Many hide behind a mask until they reach breaking point.

I understand there are many complexities to this condition and I don’t pretend to be an expert in this area. I can only share my thoughts after working with people with this condition.

You can trick people around you but I’ve found you cannot trick yourself. We know the body releases stress hormones but we also know the body releases healing hormones which can be encouraged by the intake of vitamins, consuming nutritional food, and hydrating your body with the right amount of fluid.

It has been identified that the brain plays a part in sending hormone release messages to the body. Therefore, exercise and positive reinforcement may also play its part in achieving inner balance and reducing stress and tension.

When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which are natural mood boosters that can help to reduce stress and tension. This can help to alleviate feelings of anxiety and promote relaxation.

Exercise:

— Improves sleep: Anxiety can often lead to difficulty sleeping, which can exacerbate symptoms of anxiety. Regular exercise can help to improve sleep quality, which in turn can reduce anxiety levels.

— Increases self-esteem: Anxiety can often lead to negative thoughts and feelings about oneself. Regular exercise can help to increase self-esteem and confidence, which can counteract these negative feelings.

— Provides a distraction: When you exercise, you are focused on the physical activity, which can serve as a distraction from anxious thoughts and worries.

— Promotes social interaction: Joining a sports team or fitness group can provide opportunities for social interaction and support, which can be helpful for those suffering from anxiety.

— Builds resilience: Regular exercise can help to build physical and mental resilience, which can help individuals better cope with stressful situations.

Understanding the need to recognize our own uniqueness will allow us to understand ourselves first before relying on a prescription tablet to make it all better.

Maybe medication just takes the edge off the anxiety but does it fix it? I’m not sure. I will continue my research to educate myself further.

I do know exercise is a powerful tool in the treatment of anxiety providing a distraction, promoting social interaction, and building resilience. Exercise can also help to alleviate the symptoms of anxiety and improve overall mental health.

I feel the mainstream medical and holistic sectors need to be more supportive of each other’s approaches and unite in providing the best care to people going through this condition. I’m afraid the reason why they do not work together is due to financial and profit-making ideologies.

I feel different organisations and people in positions to help may have financial interests that influence their current decision making.

The right exercise and diet can play an import role in the way we feel and behave. This is not breaking news or difficult to understand.

The holistic and mainstream medical providers need to come together more to find common ground and develop guidelines which are easily accessible and practical for people focused on treating the whole person.

Ikehi Fitness has helped a few people with this condition by placing importance on controlled breathing and developing coping mechanisms in an exercise environment.

My heart goes out to people living with this fear. Let us pay attention to people around us; neighbours, work colleagues, people we meet in the gym or coffee shop or maybe just pass daily going to the shops. I guess a simple “How are you doing?”, may make a difference to that person more than you realise

Through my knowledge of fitness, I share my gift. Share your gift and make your mark in this world.

I understand that although I can’t help everyone, being able to make a difference in someone’s life and change its course for the better gives value and purpose in this world.

So, going back to the original question, yes, you can establish a link between alleviating anxiety and fitness, in some cases. This is my thinking.

While exercise can be beneficial for those suffering from anxiety, it is important to remember to also seek out and research the best support that suits you as a person. Speak to healthcare workers, join local sporting centres, and remember, whatever your situation things can change for the better, so don’t give up. You are not alone.

Bobby Moka