Go Ad-Free
logoThe People's Perspective on Medicine

Exercise Beats Anxiety

Regular exercise can help people with chronic conditions overcome their anxiety.

Q. In a recent column, a reader asked for natural alternatives for anxiety and stress that won’t produce side effects. I was disappointed that you didn’t mention exercise.

According to a review of the literature in the Handbook of Sport Psychology (2001), as little as 5 to 10 minutes of aerobic or anaerobic exercise reduces anxiety.

A. Thanks for the reminder of the benefit of exercise against anxiety. Daily exercise is also effective against depression.

There have been several studies of the effects of exercise for psychological disorders such as anxiety. An analysis of 40 studies shows that regular exercise can reduce anxiety significantly.

People with chronic health problems often feel anxious about their condition, but adding an anti-anxiety drug to numerous other medications may not be the best solution.

People with ailments such as heart disease, cancer, fibromyalgia and arthritis all did better when exercising three times a week. The program should be tailored to the individuals situation and closely monitored by health professionals.

[Archives of Internal Medicine, February 22, 2010]

Rate this article
star-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-emptystar-fullstar-empty
4- 3 ratings
About the Author
Terry Graedon, PhD, is a medical anthropologist and co-host of The People’s Pharmacy radio show, co-author of The People’s Pharmacy syndicated newspaper columns and numerous books, and co-founder of The People’s Pharmacy website. Terry taught in the Duke University School of Nursing and was an adjunct assistant professor in the Department of Anthropology. She is a Fellow of the Society of Applied Anthropology. Terry is one of the country's leading authorities on the science behind folk remedies..
Tired of the ads on our website?

Now you can browse our website completely ad-free for just $5 / month. Stay up to date on breaking health news and support our work without the distraction of advertisements.

Browse our website ad-free
Join over 150,000 Subscribers at The People's Pharmacy

We're empowering you to make wise decisions about your own health, by providing you with essential health information about both medical and alternative treatment options.