Exercise as a Strategy to Soothe Anxious Thoughts
Anxiety impacts millions of people across the globe. Symptoms of anxiety can range in severity and frequency. For some, anxiety feels like a racing heart beat, restlessness, or hyperventilation. Anxiety can also feel like an unshakeable sense of impending danger, trouble concentrating on things other than a certain worry, and trouble sleeping.
Mental Health and Anxiety: What are the impacts?
Anxiety can have a big impact on our daily lives. In some cases, symptoms can even start to negatively impact things like our relationships, our jobs, and our ability to move through the world as our highest selves.
If you are experiencing anxiety in NYC, you are not alone.
Many people are able to learn to live with their anxiety by better understanding it, exploring what triggers it, and navigating the unique ways that anxiety shows up for them. A big part of addressing anxiety is appreciating the mind/body connection. This means acknowledging the ways in which our mental health impacts our physical health.
The physical health benefits of moving our bodies are talked about extensively. The mental health benefits of exercise and physical activity are just as important.
But, how does staying physically active alleviate anxiety?
The Science of Exercise
You’ve probably heard of the term “runner’s high” before, but you don’t need to be a runner to experience that same kind of happiness. Any type of physical exercise can boost your mood, reduce stress, and spark a sense of joy that will last long after you’re done working out.
That’s not just a happy accident.
Exercising releases endorphins in your brain that are designed to make you feel good. These endorphins work to put you in a better mood and improve your overall well-being. If you exercise regularly, you’re more likely to stay in that positive state of mind.
Exercise Serves As a Distraction from Perfectionism and Anxiety
For people who experience anxiety attacks or persistent unwanted thoughts, going on a hike, riding a bike, or jogging around the block can serve as a powerful distraction in the moment. Choosing and activity that requires focus can help you to tune into the things around you like fresh air, the feeling of each foot hitting pavement, and being aware of people around you.
Tuning into these activities helps interrupt persistent thoughts and feel more connected to the world outside. Thoughts and worries will then lose their power as your mind focuses on other distractions.
Exercise Can Have Big Mental Health Benefits
In addition to releasing “happy hormones” into your brain, exercise has been linked to a variety of mental health benefits.
First, it can boost your self-confidence and esteem. Whether engaging in a group or independently, exercise can have a positive impact on social anxiety.
Regular exercise can also make it easier to get quality sleep. Anxiety can make it hard to fall asleep and stay asleep. Inability to sleep can make anxiety worse, especially when you are consistently unable to get quality sleep for an extended period of time.
Exercise can exhaust both your mind and body, making it easier to get a restful night’s sleep without worrying about a racing mind.
How to Start Improving Your Mental Health in NYC with Exercise
It can feel intimidating to think about getting started with exercise if it’s not already part of your routine. The good thing is, there’s no wrong way to get started!
Start by thinking about things you enjoy and things that you miss. Has it been a while since you’ve had time to get outside? Try taking a walk around the neighborhood! If you are someone who enjoys socializing, try joining a team sport like kickball. For those who may need some support with accountability, try signing up for a gym class.
The more interested you are in the activity you’re doing, the more likely you’ll be to stick with it.
Exercise is a great way to manage symptoms of anxiety and improve your mental and physical health. Exercise shouldn’t be a replacement for professional help when you’re dealing with anxiety. If you’re struggling, consider seeking out the help of a therapist or counselor. Therapy can help you get to the root cause of your anxiety, so you can work through it effectively.
Consider Therapy for Stress, Perfectionism, and Anxiety in New York
Individual therapy can offer added support to deal with anxiety, stress, and overall mental wellbeing. Getting started with our New York City therapy practice is simple:
Meet with a skilled anxiety therapist
Begin feeling more balanced and grounded