Let’s talk about a quick and easy thing you can do to prevent anxiety or, at the very least, greatly reduce its effects on you. It’s going for a walk on a regular basis. It’s another one of those deceptively simple but extremely effective strategies.
It often produces better results than medication for many people suffering from mild to moderate anxiety. All you need is a pair of comfortable shoes and 15 minutes of your time.
While walking will not stop the anxiety-inducing thoughts and is not a complete cure, it will help you cope with your anxiety significantly better. It will provide you with relief and prevent you from worrying and stressing over it. Walking can help with anxiety in a variety of ways. The first is the simple act of moving your body.
It has an immediate calming effect. I’m sure you’ve noticed how difficult it is to sit still when you’re nervous or anxious. You feel the need to move around. Take it a step further by going for a brisk walk.
In a previous post, we discussed breathing exercises. Walking allows you to take slow and steady breaths, causing you to perform a simple, calming breathing exercise without even realizing it.
The walk will also distract you from your negative and worrying thoughts. This is especially true and beneficial if you walk outside in a beautiful setting, such as a park.
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Last but not least, exercise, such as walking, releases endorphins, which improve your mood and help you relax.
They directly counteract the excess adrenalin that causes anxiety and fear. You’ll feel noticeably calmer and more content after a nice walk. The longer you walk, the better you’ll feel, but even a 15-minute stroll around the neighborhood will help.
Walking can help you deal with anxiety in two ways. The first is used as an emergency treatment. When you’re feeling anxious, go for a quick walk. The faster you can catch it and move, the better. A short walk can help to alleviate your anxiety and return you to your happy, normal self.
Don’t stop there, though. Make it a daily habit to go for a walk. Make it a part of your daily routine. Get that blood pumping, and get those endorphins flowing throughout your system. Not only is it great for your overall health and wellbeing, it will also reduce how often and how severe your anxiety attacks are. Give it a shot. Commit to a daily walk and see these benefits for yourself.
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