Best Exercises for Managing Stress and Anxiety

“Exercise is the key not only to physical health but to peace of mind.”
-Nelson Mandela

Do you struggle with stress or anxiety? If so, you may find comfort in knowing that you’re not alone. In the United States more than 18%, or roughly 40 million adults, are living with an anxiety disorder. And the holiday season only increases stress levels, with an incredible 88% of adults reporting it as the most stressful time of year.

Because these mental illnesses afflict so many, countless studies have been conducted on the topic in recent years. A common thread that consistently arises is the indisputable benefits that exercise has on our minds. There’s no question—the link between our physical and mental health is a powerful one. Exercise helps keep our symptoms of stress and anxiety at bay, and those effects can be long lasting.

While this might be great news, decision fatigue and intimidation are both very real barriers to invoking behavior change. This reality makes it difficult to begin incorporating exercise into your daily routine. In order to build a habit that sticks, it’s imperative that your relationship with exercise is a positive one!

There is no one size fits all solution out there, so read on to discover six types of movement we’ve curated to help you find an option that works well for you and your lifestyle.

Yoga

This ancient practice is known for its ability to improve strength, balance and flexibility. Additionally, yoga’s focus on the breath and living in the present moment helps calm the mind and evokes the relaxation response.

Running

If feelings of stress or anxiety begin, a good old fashioned run can help wipe them all away. Not only does it provide a natural endorphin boost within only a few minutes, running appears to also have a meditative effect on the brain.

Hiking/Paddling

Simply spending time in nature has been shown to lower levels of stress. When you combine exercise with the outdoors, you are creating the perfect environment to take control of your stress and anxiety symptoms.

Swimming

There’s something remarkable about our ability to swim and it is known to have a profound effect that soothes the human mind. In a 2012 survey, 74% of respondents stated that swimming helped relieve their stress and tension.

Weight Lifting

While aerobic exercise has historically been associated with reducing stress and anxiety, recent research indicates that weightlifting may be just as effective. Plus, getting stronger is never a bad side effect ;)

Dancing

In addition to an increased heart rate and release of those feel good endorphins, dancing is social and good for the soul. In fact, this form of exercise is so effective that there’s an association dedicated to its therapeutic benefits.

At the end of the day, the best exercise for managing stress and anxiety will always be one that you enjoy. From the beginning, Peerfit has recognized that wellness solutions must be more accessible and enjoyable. This is why we empower our users to personalize their wellness journey through access to a variety of fitness studios, gyms and digitally streamed workouts.

Are you ready to provide your team with a personalized wellness program that leads to more active, healthier and happier employees? Reach out through our form below to start a conversation today.