Coping with Anxiety through Exercise

Life has definitely thrown me some extra curve balls these last couple of weeks and my mood has suffered. As a psychotherapist, I'm not immune to feeling the impact of life's stressors. Like a lot of people, wintertime tends to be more difficult for me- mood-wise. I am mindful of how this time of year affects me, yet despite this, I do experience times of feeling "stuck". "Stuck" as in thinking, "why me?"; the feeling sorry for myself bullshit, mind trash.

Several winter's ago, I was experiencing a plethora of life's stressors, including loss and hardship. I felt particularly "stuck" and my usual, go-to ways to manage cope just weren't cutting it. When I was ready to just throw in the towel and allow myself to remain stuck in feeling miserable, I came across a metaphorical "lifeline"- that of CrossFit, or for that matter, the power of exercise; working out.

I'm no stranger to being an athlete, but at that time in my life, it had literally been years since those field hockey, basketball, track days; years of being a smoker (then quitting); post-baby; having not exercised in years... I could go on... But, I needed something. Something to help me cope with all of the shit going on in my life.

CrossFit offered me the built-in group support and "cheerleading" that I needed, plus, I realized soon enough that throwing weights around was very, very therapeutic. As an anxiety counselor, I knew that exercise offered so many mental health benefits, but for some reason, I needed to have life push me in the right direction. So, I thought I'd provide a reminder to all of you just how beneficial exercise is for mental wellness.

How Exercise Helps with Anxiety, Mood, Relationships & Life

1. Helps to Manage Anxiety and Depressive Symptoms

Not only does exercise release powerful endorphins- those super-awesome chemicals in your brain that help boost energy and just make you feel good, working out also promotes positive changes in your brain, such as neural growth, and activates new activity patterns to help you have a better sense of well being.

2. Helps You Focus

When you exercise, your brain also releases extra dopamine, nor-epinephrine, and serotonin- all of which relate to attention and focus, not to mention also relate to depression and anxiety.

3. Stress Reliever

Most of you are probably already aware that working out is a natural stress reliever. Your body constantly provides you with clues of how you're feeling- with stress, you most likely have tension in your shoulders and neck, may experience headaches, backaches, or stomach issues, and your sleep will most likely be affected. Having these problems can lead to more stress, which can create a vicious cycle. Since the mind and body are connected, exercise can help disrupt the cycle and help relieve muscle tension and promote feelings of calm due to the release of endorphins.- Sweet!

4. Mindfulness

So, if you don't already know, I am a huge advocate of mindfulness and using it to help cope with anxiety, improve relationships, and deal with past trauma. Research suggests that mindfulness can help you become unstuck from the effects of past trauma on your nervous system, which is characteristic of PTSD. While you are exercising, pay attention (be mindful) to your bodily sensations- how the ground feels under your feet, your skin feels with the crisp wind blowing, or how cool the water feels while swimming. Be mindful of your breathing while lifting weights or how your muscles and joints work together to move your body.

Although you don't need to do CrossFit to reap the benefits of exercise; I highly recommend it.

I am so very grateful for my Crossfit Acernus Family and cannot thank them enough for how they've helped me change my life in so many positive ways.

Find Relief from Anxiety & Stress through Philadelphia DBT

As a relationship and anxiety therapist, I am passionate about helping you free yourself from "stuck" points, and move on to living a fulfilling life. If you are feeling "stuck" with current life stressors, and want additional support, please contact me at 717-685-5074 or go here, to book your own consultation for counseling.

I provide counseling and therapy in Philadelphia, Harrisburg, York, Lebanon, and Lancaster, PA. My specialties include DBT to treat Borderline Personality Disorder, anxiety therapy, and trauma counseling.