I read a few interesting articles this week about the connection between vigorous exercise (or lack thereof) and anxiety attacks. I won’t post a full blown “article” on the subject; I simply wanted to gently remind anyone dealing with frequent anxiety attacks that physical exercise (even walking) is still one of the best ways to reclaim your natural calm and sense of well-being.
Did you notice that I used the word ‘natural” in that last paragraph? Think about it; is it possible for anxiety to be the “natural” state of any living thing (including me and you)? Of course not–your natural state is calm. So reducing or eliminating anxiety issues can be as simple as reverting to your “natural” state. That’s where frequent exercise and motion come into the picture.
When we exercise — even moderately– our bodies tend to return to their natural (there’s that word again) state. And as you may have heard me say before, our mental processes and our physical processes are NOT two separate things. They are interconnected to the point of being virtually indistinguishable.
Keep in mind the importance of physical motion and exercise in reducing anxiety attacks. I can assure you that I personally feel much more relaxed and calm when I am able to work out at least 2-3 times a week, and I try to get at least some physical exercise every day (OK, I take the day off on Sunday–so sue me 
When you change what you are doing with your body, you also change what you are doing with your mind. Keeping the body vibrant and in motion returns us to our “base state,” which has nothing to do with anxiety attacks, and everything to do with feeling just fine…
Jon Mercer
Stop Anxiety Attacks
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I enjoy your posts and reading the information on your site. Although I have tried to be more faithful about exercising, (not faithful enough!), I sometimes start to feel anxious while I’m exercising. Will that go away?
Hi Jon
Thank you for your wise advice on how to manage panic attacks by offsetting with exercise. I will do some more research on this and perhaps add it to my site. That has been very helpful.
Take care
Brad
I personally feel much more relaxed and calm and I am able to work out at least 2-3 times a week by trying some physical exercise every day to avoid anxiety attacks.
I exercise on a regular basis, however, ever since I have been having severe anxiety attacks I actually get panic attacks when I work out and because of this I have stopped working out. I am so worried that I am going to have a heartattack since the left side of my chest has been tight for days now and my arm has felt strange and tingly. Do you have any advice?
Hi Sara, The best thing to do is to see your doctor and get checked out, just to certain that there is no physical problem causing the tight and tingly feelings. If your MD finds no physical cause, it is very likely an anxiety symptom.
Most people feel better just knowing that they don’t have a “real” condition, and this can help put things into perspective if the symptoms show up again.
I recommend the Easycalm Series to learn how to deal with the control issues which are at the root of all anxiety symptoms: www.easycalm.com
All the best,
Jon Mercer. MA
http://www.easycalm.com/
Excellent post. Thanks for your contribution to our mental-health community.
I cannot say enough about exercise to help control anxiety and panic. It is a tremendous release valve to keep stress from building and leading to panic attack triggers.
Thanks !!
Bill
I think you made some good points.Keep working ,great job!
Keep up the good work man, surely bookmark this!
Right on !! Damn I’m getting addicted to your blog
i get Panic Attacks when i am in a huge crowd of people or in front of lots of strangers. it is difficult to control panic attacks and i would usually have a shortness of breath when it happens.
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