(PTSD): This type of anxiety disorder is triggered by witnessing or experiencing a traumatic event. Examples include accidents, natural disasters, assault, and military combat. PTSD might present itself as recurring dreams or flashbacks that trigger the distress felt during the traumatic event.
Social Phobia (Anxiety) Disorder: This type of anxiety occurs within social situations such as public speaking or interacting with others. A person with this disorder might experience extreme self-consciousness that triggers symptoms of anxiety (e.g. rapid heartbeat and breathing).
How Can Exercise Help?
Exercise has countless benefits to the brain, ranging from a boost in mood to improved cognitive function. Research suggests that daily exercise helps to lessen the severity of anxiety symptoms and their recurrence.
Aerobic exercise specifically lowers symptoms mediated by the sympathetic nervous system, which is associated with the human stress response (fight-or-flight). The sympathetic nervous system is what leads to the faster heart and breathing rate during anxiety. Lowering the response of this system through exercise may, in turn, lessen the symptoms of anxiety.
Neurotransmitters released during exercise also help to boost overall mood. This includes dopamine, norepinephrine (adrenaline), serotonin, and endorphins. These molecules are the “feel good” chemicals that help us feel more alert, more cheerful, and induce a sense of well-being. In this way, aerobic exercise seems to have an effect similar to antidepressants and helps us cope with episodes of uncontrollable stress.
Exercising outside provides the extra benefit of sunshine, which, in addition to having a positive effect on one’s mood, can boost the immune system and reinforce the body’s natural circadian rhythms.
“Facts & Statistics.” Anxiety and Depression Association of America, ADAA, adaa.org/about-adaa/press-room/facts-statistics.
Anderson, Elizabeth, and Geetha Shivakumar. “Effects of Exercise and Physical Activity on Anxiety.” Frontiers in Psychiatry, Frontiers Media S.A., 23 Apr. 2013, www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3632802/.
Digital Communications Division. “What Are the Five Major Types of Anxiety Disorders?” HHS.gov, 21 Aug. 2015, www.hhs.gov/answers/mental-health-and-substance-abuse/what-are-the-five-major-types-of-anxiety-disorders/index.html.