Exercise is beneficial for various physical and mental conditions. People use it for everything from weight loss to stress relief, and Anxiety Disorders Association of America recommends it as one part of an overall anxiety reduction program. Physical activity can cause anxiety under certain circumstances or mimic some of its symptoms, but the benefits outweigh any issues.
Definition
Anxiety is a normal feeling caused by worry or fear, according to FamilyDoctor.org. The body goes into an "alert mode" to handle scary or challenging situations. Some people develop disorders in which they experience physical and mental anxiety symptoms without a real cause. Anxiety attacks usually cause excessive fearful feelings, sweating, trembling, rapid breathing, dizziness and fast heartbeat.
Causes
Anxiety has a variety of causes, and attacks sometimes happen seemingly without a specific trigger. Exercise can cause it indirectly. For example, you might feel panicky exercising in a gym if you are uncomfortable in social situations. You may feel stress if the workout room is crowded and you are unable to use your preferred equipment. You may worry about performing inadequately in a class at the health club.
Considerations
Exercise may seem to trigger anxiety attacks because of normal physiological changes that happen to your body during physical exertion, according to Paul Dooley of the Anxiety Guru website. Exercise causes sweating and a faster heartbeat and breathing rate. These are also common anxiety symptoms, so you may fear you are having a panic attack when you feel them during a workout. Remind yourself that your body is experiencing harmless changes unrelated to anxiety.
Benefits
Physical exercise is an anxiety fighting strategy, according to the Anxiety Disorders Association of America. Regular exercise promotes a good mood and feelings of well being, as well as the release of painkilling brain chemicals called endorphins. The good effects start after only five minutes of aerobic activity. You also attack the root cause if you confront situations that make you anxious as part of your exercise program, FamilyDoctor.org advises. For example, fight social anxiety by talking to people at the gym or signing up for group classes.
Solution
Avoid anxiety from exercising by making physical activity one part of an overall self-help plan. HelpGuide.org recommends other strategies such as meditation, eating healthy meals, cutting out alcohol and cigarettes, avoiding sugar and caffeine and getting a full night's sleep. Get support from others and contact your doctor if personal efforts are not enough to control the worry.
