Exercise May Ease Anxiety, Especially Mind-Body and Aerobic Workouts
This review suggests mind-body or aerobic exercise for at least 8 weeks may help ease anxiety symptoms.
Looking at 10 studies of about 2,400 adults with generalized anxiety, researchers found exercise was linked to lower anxiety symptoms. Mind-body workouts like yoga and aerobic exercise showed the biggest effects, while resistance training results were unclear. Programs lasting 8 weeks or more with sessions of 21 to 40 minutes seemed most helpful. However, the studies varied widely, so the authors caution this is suggestive, not definitive.
Conflict of Interest Disclosure: Authors declare no competing interests.
Disclaimer: Research summaries are provided for informational purposes only and do not constitute medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making changes to your health routine.
Related Studies
All researchExercise Beats Brain Games for Protecting Aging Minds, Review Finds
Researchers looked at trials in poorer countries for people with early memory problems.
Going From Zero to Just 5 Minutes of Exercise a Week Cuts Death Risk
Many people think you need to hit big step counts to live longer.
Why Exercise Tunes Your Muscle Mitochondria to a 'Just Right' Sweet Spot
Your muscle cells rely on a protein called Drp1 to keep their power plants (mitochondria) healthy.
