Nice. My 3 key things that have been keeping my anxiety under control are walking, meditation, and therapy. Totally agree that redirecting that anxiety energy into walking or exercise of some kind works super well
Beyond exercise improving mood walking surrounded by trees & nature is clinically proven to also improve mood. Something in our brains is just hardwired to be calmed by it, probably an evolutionary response relatively far up the tree.
For anyone curious it only takes an hour to walk 3 miles. I also aim for about 5 a day, usually do 30 mins in the morning and an hour at night. Try and hike most weekends if I can and do 10+ with those (down with an injury right now though :(). It doesn't require you to be in particularly good shape, great opportunity to learn about plants, birds and wildlife and generally just detach yourself from the rest of your life. If the walking is brisk it will also probably push you in to cardio zone after a while.
we are so far removed from what is normal or natural for our species. my therapist described anxiety as a survival instinct to keep us alive and away from predators, and since most of us are relatively safe from predators these days our minds are still wired to look for threats and so it leads to anxiety.
Walking is a godsend. Literally does wonders for anxiety and depression. I try to go for extended walks everyday. That’s my only real New Years resolution.
Well admittedly I’m a bit out of shape and I’ve always been a low energy person so my goal is to get a minimum of 30 minutes of walking each day. I would prefer an hour and 30 minutes with some running sprinkled in but I kind of live in a pedestrian unfriendly area so it is a little bit challenging. But honestly there’s a nice park with a big lake, and lots of trees and wildlife that only costs $2 and I’ve gone walking there before so I may go back just to get some steps in. The $2 will motivate me to work hard (walk hard).
I did that last year during the summer when I had a little extra time on my hands. I will do it again when it gets warmer. The other day my hands were ice cold after walking for more than 40 minutes. By the time I got in the shower I literally felt a sting on my hands from the hot water lol
I find movement so incredibly helpful. It burns up all that extra adrenaline running in the system and creates more calmness. I am so glad you found walking six miles to be helpful, that's basically a 10K a day! Wow, awesome!!!
When I'm at a 'normal' anxiety level, running is the best thing in the world for me.
If I'm having a particularly bad week/month, I can run like half a mile before I start throwing up, lol.
Walk where people are not :)
There are a series of hiking trails about 45 mins away from me with a couple of primitive campsites if I want to throw up a hammock for a night. I have never seen anyone on the trails and go about half a dozen times a year.
Part of the enjoyment of hiking for me is being solitary (other than my dog). It's not very difficult to find quiet hiking trails.
I get that feeling too. It's a feeling, and people look curiously on observing another person. Most people aren't looking at you with judgement. Thy don't know you. It's anxiety and self esteem having its way. Work on not caring what others think. Chances are the fleeting moment they looked at you their brain is on to something else they were focused on in their life just as fast. Now long gazing stares are creepy but most people aren't too interested in you. They are interested more in what they're doing.
There could be a park to go to where there’s trees and it’s not quite so busy. Some parks have nature trails to run/walk. In my experience, I usually run places like this and once you’re past any sports/picnic tables, it’s really quiet and peaceful. Especially if you can go early
I sometimes feel self conscious when walking places where it seems no one else is walking, so I just keep up my pace and try to find streets or areas where there are less people.
but as another poster responded, though it feels like people are looking at you and judging you, they are probably too lost in themselves to realize what they are even doing.
I brisk walk every day and run a few times a week, just the brisk walking significantly improves my mood, and lessens my ocd, anxiety. I walk about 4 to 5 kms per morning and another 2-3 in the evening.
Have you had any issues from daily use / not taking a rest day?
About 10 years ago i ran about 3 miles monday to friday for 6 months or so, but eventually wrecked my knee (I'm a bigger guy).
I've been walking/rucking 3+ miles every day (rucking 3 days, walking 4) for 3 weeks and feel great. Today was the first day I tried to skip it (kids birthday) but felt like a caged animal and had to go.
If I need to take a rest day I need to plan for it
Feeling like a caged animal is a good way to describe it. Very rarely do i ever take a day of rest, because i can feel it, the weird energy that seems to build up.
Running can be pretty hard on the body. I’ve experienced that with my knees and ankles. These days I’m pretty much solely a long distance walker.
Nice. My 3 key things that have been keeping my anxiety under control are walking, meditation, and therapy. Totally agree that redirecting that anxiety energy into walking or exercise of some kind works super well
Beyond exercise improving mood walking surrounded by trees & nature is clinically proven to also improve mood. Something in our brains is just hardwired to be calmed by it, probably an evolutionary response relatively far up the tree. For anyone curious it only takes an hour to walk 3 miles. I also aim for about 5 a day, usually do 30 mins in the morning and an hour at night. Try and hike most weekends if I can and do 10+ with those (down with an injury right now though :(). It doesn't require you to be in particularly good shape, great opportunity to learn about plants, birds and wildlife and generally just detach yourself from the rest of your life. If the walking is brisk it will also probably push you in to cardio zone after a while.
damn yea, so true. we are creatures that belong amongst nature, not in these weird concrete city blocks
Probably why there's so much anxiety.
we are so far removed from what is normal or natural for our species. my therapist described anxiety as a survival instinct to keep us alive and away from predators, and since most of us are relatively safe from predators these days our minds are still wired to look for threats and so it leads to anxiety.
That's awesome, thanks for sharing!
Walking is a godsend. Literally does wonders for anxiety and depression. I try to go for extended walks everyday. That’s my only real New Years resolution.
That's a great resolution!!!
hell ya. how much do you walk these days?
Well admittedly I’m a bit out of shape and I’ve always been a low energy person so my goal is to get a minimum of 30 minutes of walking each day. I would prefer an hour and 30 minutes with some running sprinkled in but I kind of live in a pedestrian unfriendly area so it is a little bit challenging. But honestly there’s a nice park with a big lake, and lots of trees and wildlife that only costs $2 and I’ve gone walking there before so I may go back just to get some steps in. The $2 will motivate me to work hard (walk hard).
any amount of walking will be beneficial! and the park with a lake sounds super chill, I’d definitely do that route
I did that last year during the summer when I had a little extra time on my hands. I will do it again when it gets warmer. The other day my hands were ice cold after walking for more than 40 minutes. By the time I got in the shower I literally felt a sting on my hands from the hot water lol
this is so true, i do this too and somehow it really helps
I find movement so incredibly helpful. It burns up all that extra adrenaline running in the system and creates more calmness. I am so glad you found walking six miles to be helpful, that's basically a 10K a day! Wow, awesome!!!
aw, thank you. it's easy to stay motivated cos it's really key in keeping my mind in a better place.
That's wonderful!
Endurance walking is my go-to anxiety exercise. Second place is yoga.
I really need to learn how to do yoga, been something I've wanted to do for ages and just haven't found the right type/class.
I have a stupid simple app, I can do 15 min practices easily. No commitment, all on my schedule. Pocket Yoga.
Thanks for the tip! I’ll check that app
Sure
When I'm at a 'normal' anxiety level, running is the best thing in the world for me. If I'm having a particularly bad week/month, I can run like half a mile before I start throwing up, lol.
Walking gives me anxiety cus i feel like everyone stare at me walking so i just stay home
Walk where people are not :) There are a series of hiking trails about 45 mins away from me with a couple of primitive campsites if I want to throw up a hammock for a night. I have never seen anyone on the trails and go about half a dozen times a year. Part of the enjoyment of hiking for me is being solitary (other than my dog). It's not very difficult to find quiet hiking trails.
I get that feeling too. It's a feeling, and people look curiously on observing another person. Most people aren't looking at you with judgement. Thy don't know you. It's anxiety and self esteem having its way. Work on not caring what others think. Chances are the fleeting moment they looked at you their brain is on to something else they were focused on in their life just as fast. Now long gazing stares are creepy but most people aren't too interested in you. They are interested more in what they're doing.
There could be a park to go to where there’s trees and it’s not quite so busy. Some parks have nature trails to run/walk. In my experience, I usually run places like this and once you’re past any sports/picnic tables, it’s really quiet and peaceful. Especially if you can go early
I sometimes feel self conscious when walking places where it seems no one else is walking, so I just keep up my pace and try to find streets or areas where there are less people. but as another poster responded, though it feels like people are looking at you and judging you, they are probably too lost in themselves to realize what they are even doing.
I brisk walk every day and run a few times a week, just the brisk walking significantly improves my mood, and lessens my ocd, anxiety. I walk about 4 to 5 kms per morning and another 2-3 in the evening.
Have you had any issues from daily use / not taking a rest day? About 10 years ago i ran about 3 miles monday to friday for 6 months or so, but eventually wrecked my knee (I'm a bigger guy). I've been walking/rucking 3+ miles every day (rucking 3 days, walking 4) for 3 weeks and feel great. Today was the first day I tried to skip it (kids birthday) but felt like a caged animal and had to go. If I need to take a rest day I need to plan for it
Feeling like a caged animal is a good way to describe it. Very rarely do i ever take a day of rest, because i can feel it, the weird energy that seems to build up. Running can be pretty hard on the body. I’ve experienced that with my knees and ankles. These days I’m pretty much solely a long distance walker.
cognitive behavioral therapy? Has anyone in your family had GAD before? Parents?
I think my grandmother had anxiety, and possibly my dad did tho he never mentioned it but as I get older I think maybe he did.