Fight Panic, Anxiety with Intense Exercise

Challenging workouts may provide relief for people dealing with panic or anxiety. Scientists recently studied people with high anxiety sensitivity reacted less to panic-inducing stressors after high levels of exercise.

Psychologist Dr. Jasper Smits, lead author of the research, has this to say: “We’re not suggesting, ‘Exercise instead of pharmacotherapy or psychotherapy.’ Exercise is a useful alternative, particularly for those without access to traditional treatments. Primary care physicians already prescribe exercise for general health, so exercise may have the advantage of helping reach more people in need of treatment for depression and anxiety.”

Participants inhaled a mixture of air enriched with carbon dioxide, which usually induces panic-like symptoms. The results showed that individuals who regularly exercised showed less anxiety reactivity to the carbon dioxide stressor.

Exercise has already been linked to benefit people with stress and depression, would provide a more accessible way for people to improve mood and deal with anxiety.

http://psychcentral.com/news/2011/07/13/intense-exercise-helps-combat-panic-anxiety/27693.html