Four Workouts to Beat Anxiety the Natural Way

Exercise can be a major factor in helping to tame anxiety

Anxiety is a part of pretty much everyone’s daily life, whether it’s from work, home life, financial issues, or anything else.

Thankfully, exercise gives us a way to combat some of its effects. Working out can be a great release after (or before) a long day, and you don’t even need a punching bag with your boss’s face on it to get the benefits.

Not only does working out boost your endorphins, giving you a rush of feel-good neurotransmitters, but it can also increase blood flow to the brain to help you think clearer.

Any exercise is helpful, but here are some workouts that may be particularly effective in fighting stress and anxiety:

1. Yoga – This practice may be able to control anxiety levels by modulating the body’s sympathetic nervous system, which controls the “fight or flight” response. It may also regulate the hypothalamo-pituitary-adrenal axis, which is responsible for controlling hormone levels. Plus, one study showed that yoga increases heart rate variability, which allows it to cope better with anxiety.

HealthAndYoga is a great resource for anyone interested in beginning a Yoga practice or for those who are experienced in Yoga.

2. Sex – It may not be the first thing that comes to mind when you think of a workout, but sex can be a great stress buster. In fact, one study showed that having sex led to lower stress-related blood pressure. Another showed growth in the stress-regulating hippocampus part of the brain, although the study was performed using rats as subjects rather than amorous human couples. Don’t go cruising the bars for a one-night-stand just yet though; these studies involved daily trysts over the course of two weeks.

3. Tai Chi – Similar to yoga, Tai Chi focuses on breathing techniques and slow, controlled movements. But, it also involves the use of martial arts moves and can be done at varying intensities, from relaxing to exhausting. Check with local community colleges, wellness centers and yoga studies for tai chi classes.

4. Riding a Bicycle – The physical and mental benefits of cycling make it the perfect stress-reducing activity. If cycling brings to mind images of uber-fit, Spandex-wearing street cyclists, consider an electric bike.

After all, you don’t need to be a hardcore cyclist to enjoy the stress-reduction benefits of riding a bike.
Stress and anxiety may be unavoidable in most modern lives, but by exercising and eating a wholesome diet, you may be able to cut down on your stress-related cortisol levels and lead a healthier, happier life.

Natural Remedies Can Also Help Anxiety

MindSoothe is a specially formulated herbal remedy that has been successfully used in the treatment of Depression, Insomnia, OCD, SAD, Panic Disorder, and Anxiety. Being natural, with no artificial preservatives, MindSoothe is safe for adults and children (also see MindSootheJr. for children), is non-addictive and has NO SIDE EFFECTS.

It has become the formula of choice by thousands of satisfied customers around the world for treating depression, insomnia, anxiety, ODD and more. MindSoothe is pharmaceutically manufactured to the highest standards and was formulated by a Clinical Psychologist.

About the author:

Natural Horizons Wellness Center, an integrative wellness center in Northern Virginia.