Exercise May Reduce Patient Anxiety
March 5, 2010 by Personal Liberty News Desk
According to a recent study, regular exercise can significantly reduce anxiety symptoms that accompany a chronic illness.
After analyzing the results of 40 randomized clinical trials, researchers from the University of Georgia found that patients who exercised on a regular basis reported a 20 percent reduction in anxiety symptoms compared to those who did not exercise.
"Our findings add to the growing body of evidence that physical activities such as walking or weight-lifting may turn out to be the best medicine that physicians can prescribe to help their patients feel less anxious," said lead author Matthew Herring.
Individuals participating in the study found relief from anxiety caused by a variety of conditions, including multiple sclerosis, heart disease, cancer and arthritis.
The study’s co-author, Pat O’Connor, noted that exercise even helped calm respondents who were not very anxious to begin with. He added that exercise sessions of at least 30 minutes were found to be considerably more effective in reducing anxiety symptoms than routines lasting less than 30 minutes.
Additionally, there are a variety of herbal supplements on the market that can help calm the nerves, including B-complex vitamins, GABA and inositol. 
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What a great article. I find that if I exercise daily, without missing, then I remain under better control of my stress and anxiety. There are several other things that I have found that work.
Just getting out of bed and walking will make a significant improvement for people who are depressed, an act of the will.
Exercise is a great mood lifter and combined with fresh air and sunshine, it can’t be beat. Exercise can take a variety of mode: standing on one foot while on the telephone helps balance, esp in seniors. Strive to stand without help on one leg to a higher and higher count. A little plastic lung exerciser like the one given you after any surgery, strengthens lungs for everyone, esp smokers. this can be done while watching tv at any time of day. If you make your time for reading in the sunshine on deck or patio for 15 minutes or so, you will absorb the highest concentration of Vitamin D. (protect skin) “Hold” time on phone gives one opportunity to exercise eyes by looking left to right and back and up and down. A nice 30 minute walk in the a.m. helps one sleep in the p.m. Keeping a water bottle at your fingertips almost all the time keeps the body and the mind hydrated. hydration and oxygen: 2 most imortant ingredients in the bod.