Exercise induced anxiety?

[blackemerald1]

Thanks for the suggestion re medication but I am not going anywhere near meds now. I have to deal with life without them. :)

 

[HealingInProcess]

Thanks for the suggestion re medication but I am not going anywhere near meds now. I have to deal with life without them. :)

I personally have used some supplements that I enjoy but I'm not sure if that's your thing. I try to make sure I get Vitamins A, B, C and D pretty regularly. Also Magnesium and Zinc.

 

[blackemerald1]

some supplements that I enjoy but I'm not sure if that's your thing.

^ You are so right. I should have been clearer. I meant psych meds and their ilk.

I should correct my statement in light of this. I do use some supplements. Vit. D because I am deficient. Magnesium and I drop half a fizzy multi vit. in water in the morning.

The issue really boils down to disrupting the connection your brain has made between sh*t hitting the fan and your elevated heart rate.

^This is what I try to do with my exercise. Well said IQC!

 

[Deanna]

I like this thread. I'm burned out with exercising when I shouldn't be. I exercised for over two and a half years, for a hour, and never entertained the idea it could be something else. Eventually.. It'll be the treadmill once again because I have a bad neck and cant do much else.

 

[blackemerald1]

I'm burned out with exercising when I shouldn't be

^Maybe try swimming? Or mix it up so all of the muscle groups get a work out every other day. :)

 

[Deanna]

^Maybe try swimming? Or mix it up so all of the muscle groups get a work out every other day. :)

Still work too. Guess I could swim on weekends at gym!!! ?

 

[Friday]

If your body has gotten so used to increased heart rate = anxiety attack that it’s kicking into anxiety whenever your heart rate goes up?

1. I’d start doing exercise that doesn’t raise your HR (yep, things like yoga if you prefer stationary, or tai chi for movement, or singing for core strength/breath control, stretching & strengthening, etc.). IE work around the problem entirely in the beginning, just to get the health & mood benefits. It will also help break the link that exercise = anxiety.

2 & 3

- Slowly start adding in NON-exercisy activities that raise your HR, to start getting used to your HR being up, without there being either anxiety or exercise present. (Start breaking both links/patterns). By non-exercise I’m generally meaning things that are emotionally or intellectually exciting. Watching a ball game, listening to music, empassioned lecturers, art exhibits, roller coasters, etc. Whatever floats your boat.

- Slowly start adding in lifestyle exercise that raises your HR (parking in the furthest spot every time you go somewhere by car, walking when you could drive but don’t have to, taking the stairs instead of the elevator, etc.)

4. As you get used to
- exercise that doesn’t trigger raise your HR nor trigger anxiety
- HR up without anxiety in everyday life
- HR up from exercise isn’t the point of this exercise ;)
THEN start adding in exercise that also gets your heart rate up. Whether it be gym type or sports type.or whatever type that was too much before.

5. ABSOLUTELY use distraction at any point (friends, movies, etc.) If the distraction is keeping you calm whilst pushing your own boundaries.