How Fitness Helps Manage Anxiety

I’ve had anxiety for a few years now. Not really sure where or when it started but I deal with it on a daily basis. On some days it is barely there, and on some days it’s almost crippling.

My anxiety stems from several things but mainly just life. I worry about my children (a lot), their health, their social adaptation to school. I worry also about my job, if I’m in the right place or do I need more? Let’s just put it this way, if I am emotionally connected to it, I likely have anxiety over it.

As I haven’t visited a doctor to discuss (yet), I’ve been using fitness to help me calm the worry. To be completely honest most days I am so tired (or lazy) that working out seems like the biggest task ever. The excuses begin coming in like rapid fire and all of a sudden I’ve convinced myself to skip a workout. Then I remember that exercise not only calms my anxiety it wears my body out so that I can sleep at night.

A few months ago when my anxiety was at its worst, I’d get up at 2am and worry about significant and insignificant things. The worst part was that I never went back to bed–with an early wake up call of 5am, this would only compound the problem and led to very tired work days.

As an African American woman I am not ashamed to say that I suffer from anxiety. Mental illness is very rarely discussed in our community and we need to start talking about it–like yesterday.

This is all brand new for my husband who has been with me 18 years. I try to give him warning on bad days by telling him my “anxiety is on fleek” so he knows that I will likely be trying to fix all the problems that ever existed in about 30 minutes. On those days there are three things that really help me to relax and regain control of the situation.

Here are three tips to help manage anxiety

1. Going for a run/walk. Fresh air, for me, is a very natural drug. Being inside, cooped up is enough to make you crazy without even realizing it. Since I can’t leave the building every hour at work I simply walk over to a window and just take a deep breath. It does wonders.
2. Stretching: stretching before bed almost always means I am going to sleep better. Basic stretches like getting the tension out of your neck with neck rolls or reaching up to the sky as tall as you can have made a BIG difference in the way I sleep.
3. Write: I have tons of private notes that help me through tough moments. When I start worrying about something I either write a plan to make it better or simple poetry to share how I’m feeling at the moment. It’s super helpful and therapeutic.

Have you or someone you know ever had anxiety? How does fitness help you daily?

Nellie

Hi! I’m Nellie. I am a busy mama of three, wife to my high school sweetheart who loves to cook, workout and stay organized! I love to share helpful printables, the best recipes and fitness tips for the modern mom. I strongly believe that every mom can feed their family well, take proper care of themselves and have fun along the way! Read my story.

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