Mental Fitness

Exercise and Anxiety

It’s no big secret that exercising is good for us.  We work out to look good and stay healthy.  But, when we think about the health benefits, we shouldn’t just stop at our physical health.   Researchers are finding there is an important connection between working out and our mental health!  Yes, hitting the gym or running a few miles in the neighborhood can actually reduce stress, relieve anxiety and make us happier!

Effects of Exercise on Anxiety

Scientific studies continue to reinforce the incredible health benefits of exercise. A recent study out of the University of Georgia has shown that women who exercise experience a “significant” decline in their anxiety.

Key points from the study:

• Participants in the study suffered from Generalized Anxiety Disorder, defined as “a pattern of frequent, constant worry and anxiety over many different activities and events.”
• Not only did anxiety decline with exercise, but also “moderate to large” improvements were seen in irritability, pain, and feelings of tension.
• Exercise had the same effect on anxiety regardless of whether or not the women were taking medication

Exercise and Your Brain

Along with a decrease in anxiety, exercise also strengthens your brain function. Exercise outperforms antidepressants and allows for better focus and Improved memory.

At Neurocore, we work to retrain your brain and reduce anxiety through neurofeedback. We see great success in treating anxiety, but as studies continue to show, exercise is strongly encouraged as a supplement to any treatment.

Resources

For more information regarding the University of Georgia Study read this article:http://www.coe.uga.edu/news/2012/01/17/study-finds-exercise-reduces-anxiety-disorder-symptoms-in-women/

Read the following article from Web-MD on how to train your brain using exercise: http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/train-your-brain-with-exercise?page=2