Exercise and reducing anxiety--interesting article

[salsabike]

http://well.blogs.nytimes.com/2009/1...ss-anxious/?em

[Biciclista]

yeah i saw that.

[Crankin]

This is a great article. I am going to share it with my clients, and hopefully, use it as the basis to do an exercise group at my clinic.

[katluvr]

Ok, have not read it yet...but just the title got to me.
I am running 5/7 days, and also have a 1 day at the gym for workout.
I have been having tons of anxiety lately. Just that uneasy gut, sinking feeling. True, it is mostly about work. (I think) But I feel it alot right now. So I need to really read this...but if it is true, shouldn't I be feeling better and able to handle my stress and "anxiety" better? (Ok, in my head I knew it working out IS a good thing!)

[beccaB]

I know for me this has always worked. It's not that I'm having a stress free life, but if I keep committed to the aerobic activity I have been accustomed to doing, my perception of the stressors in my life are a lot easier to manage. For instance, if I have a ride in the middle of the day and then do my afternoon school bus route afterwards, a lot or the normal situations that happen on the bus will have less effect on me than if I haven't had my ride yet. It also calms down my the rest of my evening if I have a ride after work. It's interesting to see what the scientific basis is for what I already know has worked for me.

[Crankin]

Katluvr, one of the keys to the "decreasing anxiety" (and what we here on TE might miss because we are a little fanatic, is that the findings state that "moderate" exercise reduces anxiety. I know you are training for a marathon, and that in itself is anxiety producing. I know for myself, a hike, brisk walk, or yoga is much more apt to reduce stress and anxiety than a hard ride or run. Ditto for a relaxed ride or an errand ride.
Also, the research is most likely done on animals and people who were sedentary before the experiment.
But, I think we can learn from this. Even if we are "training," we are more likely to handle stress better, but the key is to not let the training become anxiety producing. It might be different for everyone, but for me, it was letting go of the need to improve my speed on the bike and accept the fact I had to slow down for various health and injury reasons. But, it also forced me to try new things. Like you, I could not relax at all in yoga. Now, after 2 years, I can totally relax in a class. I mostly practice at home, and sometimes that is easier than with other people around. I was having severe anxiety a couple of years ago, and it is totally gone now.

[katluvr]

I think I am just in a "whiny" phase. Probably using my posts on TE to vent.
Thanks again for the pep talk.
I do know in my head that being active helps. I think I am just trying to figure out what I need to do to really handle where I am right now (mental, emotionally).
I'm sure on Sunday I'll have 12 miles to figure it all out!
It really is the work thing, holidays, fitting in all the runs, and being able to blow off steam. Just a lot at one time.
But I may just join an office mate of mine and take a nice walk at lunch...that may be the best anxiety reducer of the day!
K