So how does exercise help with Anxiety?

Anyone with a mental illness may also experience poor physical health which, in turn, can impact their mental health (basically a revolving door)

Dance is an excellent way to exercise

Exercise is a great way to help with Anxiety; however, it’s one of the last things that Chelsea wants to do when the going gets tough. It’s important to remember to look after yourself both mentally and physically. Remember both body and mind are connected; any form of physical activity can help to reduce symptoms. It helps to burns away those stress building chemicals and can boost the bodies feel-good mood. It doesn’t have to be hard; there are simple things we can all do to be more active for at least 20 mins a day on a regular basis.

The benefits of physical exercise:

- Improved sleep

- Better self-esteem and confidence

- Increasing the mood-boosting chemicals in your brain

- Improved mood and energy

- Helps to manage anxiety

The challenge for us is finding something that Chelsea enjoys on a regular basis. When she was younger, she use to dance, and this was an excellent way to exercise, but there were days that she did not want to attend. Chelsea would find it too overwhelming with the noise and the other people in the class. So it’s important that you find something that you are able to have work for your child.

I found that taking the dogs for a walk with Chelsea was a great way to both exercise and to help calm her down when her anxiety was bad. She would run with the dogs and throw the ball for them. She would never think that it was helping her physically and emotionally. Walking to and from school for us was another good one, although often hard as often we would be running late as the morning of anxiety made everyone behind. At the end of the day, it’s a nice way to unwind and talk about the day. Over the summer months Chelsea is a lot more active she often goes out for bike rides and loves to paddle-board. The winter months are a little more challenging, as being outdoors is not always an option. Walking in the rain with the dogs although necessary, is not always pleasurable and that in turn can cause anxiety.

One thing I found when we are out walking is that we both chat, it is a relaxed environment in which she and I can have real honest conversations. Another simple thing is gardening; I often ask the girls to join me. It’s both a great way to exercise, I know as I’m stiff after a good day of pulling weeds and planting, but again like walking, we can have those great chats…..not all the time, there are times that she just needs to be close but not be too talkative.

It’s NOT going to be magic, having your child open up and talk but by not necessarily making eye contact and having other things happen around I always find is a good way to have some form of open communication between the two of us.

Exercise is not a cure but every little thing that helps make life easier is undoubtedly worth it. If all else fails, laughter can be the best medicine. If you or your child have difficulty exercising, then laughter has been shown to release endorphins. This is not simply due to laughter lifting your mood. Some studies have shown that the physical exertion involved in the process of laughing can give you some of the benefits of a light workout…..So I’m happy to laugh as much as possible!!!

Trying to get your child out and do any exercise can be a challenge, it’s often more comfortable for them to just curl up in a ball and not venture too far from the comfort of their home. Once they start to exercise regularly, you may see a vast improvement in their mental state. It’s just trying to find that something that you child can enjoy regularly…..we are still trying hopefully you’ll have had some more success than us!!!

MENTAL HEALTH