Last week I sent out 5 Foods to Help Relieve Anxiety, if you didn't read it go check it out.
Continuing on the topic of Ways to Relieve Anxiety.
Anxiety is your body’s natural response to stress. However, frequent, excessive, and persistent anxiety can seriously interfere with your life and affect your overall health.
Understanding the factors that trigger anxiety and following my dietary, lifestyle, and supplement recommendations, you can reduce anxiety and finally live the happy life you deserve.
[Side note: I know this firsthand, the power in regular movement. I started out with walking after work, then joining a gym, to become a fitness instructor. Emotional eating was my thing, to help me cope in situations. (Happy or sad) Once I adjusted that mindset to walking when I was emotional to clear my head or go to the gym to work off some aggression. It helped tremendously. My body thanked me for it, weight loss, less illness, fewer medications & many more. Yours will do the same.]
Let's Start with the Benefits:
Engaging in exercise diverts you from the very thing you are anxious about.
Moving your body decreases muscle tension, lowering the body’s contribution to feeling anxious.
Getting your heart rate up changes brain chemistry, increasing the availability of important anti-anxiety neurochemicals, including serotonin, gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA).
Exercise activates frontal regions of the brain responsible for executive function, which helps control the amygdala, our reacting system to real or imagined threats to our survival.
Exercising regularly builds up resources that bolster resilience against stormy emotions.
Move Your Body Properly
Physical exercise has enormous benefits for your mental health. A lack of movement may trigger anxiety and increase mood imbalances. Research has shown that regular exercise can reduce the frequency and intensity of anxiety and panic attacks.
Exercise regularly, 20 to 30 minutes 5 times a week, and move your body every day. Mix up your routine and find different forms of exercise that work for you. I am personally a fan of trying new things. The key is to find what you enjoy and keep doing it. Exercise Is not and does not have to be daunting Moving your body continuously on a regular basis is great for cardiovascular health and anxiety relief.
Yoga has been shown to have both physical and mental health benefits and may help to combat anxiety. Low impact exercises help to build strength while calming your mind as well. Moving your body doesn’t have to mean structured workouts. Move your body daily by stretching, going for a short walk during lunch, dancing for your favorite song, running around with your kids, and playing with your pets.
Remember to have fun. Just move.
~Tara