Always Feeling Emo? Time to Get Moving – Science Says It Helps with Anxiety!

Feeling irritated, dizzy, panicky, losing your appetite, struggling to sleep, or unable to concentrate? If these symptoms persist for more than 6 months, you may not just be stressed — chronic anxiety could be the root cause.

Anxiety disorders, one of the most common mental health issues worldwide, are typically divided into acute anxiety (panic disorder) and chronic anxiety (generalized anxiety disorder). Global data shows that 7.3% of the population suffers from anxiety, with most cases being chronic.

While medication and therapy are traditional treatments, exercise is now gaining recognition as a powerful tool in managing anxiety.

A 2021 randomized controlled trial by the University of Gothenburg published in the Journal of Affective Disorders revealed that regular exercise significantly reduces anxiety symptoms, even at low intensity.

🧪 What Did the Study Find?

The study involved 286 patients diagnosed with anxiety (average age: 39, 70% female), many of whom had lived with anxiety for over a decade. Participants were randomly assigned to three groups:

• Control group
• Low-intensity exercise group (40–60% max heart rate)
• High-intensity exercise group (up to 75% max heart rate)

Each exercise group did 60-minute sessions, three times a week, for 12 weeks, including:

• Cardio: step-ups, jump rope, lunges, burpees
• Strength training: squats, planks, sit-ups, push-ups

📈 The Results?

After 12 weeks:

• The low-intensity group was 3.62 times more likely to experience improvement
• The high-intensity group had 4.88 times the chance of reduced anxiety

The higher the intensity, the greater the relief.

💡 Why Is Exercise So Effective?

Exercise has:

• Few side effects
• Low cost
• Proven benefits for mood, immunity, sleep, and stress

As researchers noted, “Exercise should be more frequently prescribed as treatment for anxiety disorders.”

So, next time you feel overwhelmed, instead of scrolling endlessly on your phone or bottling it up — go for a walk, stretch, dance, jog — just move your body, and let the healing begin.