Every detailed prescription for the reduction or cure of anxiety disorder includes a recommendation on getting exercise.  The level of attention that has typically been paid to this element of treatment is, while not trifling, now recognized as insignificant relative to its critical importance.  We now know that exercise is extremely critical in treating a variety of both physical and psycho-emotional disorders, and even preventing an anxiety attack.

Recent studies now report amazing clinical results using intensive exercise therapy on emotional and stress-related disorders.  This all came about because of the recent advent of super-intensive training techniques driven from unnoticed training data from the U.S. Navy Seal training program, long known to take intensive physical training to extreme levels.  The byproduct of this data and its associated techniques is the recent introduction of ultra-intense training systems and methodologies on television typically attracting triathlon types. However, when Alzheimer’s patients reported a reversal of symptoms then medical science quickly took notice.  While not even remotely understood, we now have relatively conclusive proof that exercise is not just effective in dealing with diabetes and arthritis it is extremely significant in treating a variety of conditions which were previously thought to be ‘immune’ to improvement via strenuous activity.

All physical exercise releases both endorphins and neurotransmitters.  However, intensive physical exercise releases very high levels of beneficial endorphins and healthy neurotransmitters as well as other positive brain-based hormones.  Intense physical exercise also minimizes immune system chemicals which can exacerbate anxiety disorders.  Lastly, the human psyche experiences a feeling of wellbeing when the body’s temperature is raised – an obvious byproduct of physical exercise.

 Just exactly how it is manifested and whether or not it can, in the near term, be condensed into specific regimens – especially for those with dementia – is not clearly known. However, it is clear that it is now accepted fact that intense exercise has a dramatic effect on the effectiveness of an overall treatment regimen – especially preventing an anxiety attack.

What all this suggests is that anyone with an anxiety disorder should begin, under proper doctor’s supervision, an exercise program intended to enter the intense level – health permitting.  This is a progressive and cumulative process beginning with regular and easily achieved exercise, intensified gradually over weeks and months until an intense level has been achieved.  Again, DO NOT ATTEMPT THIS WITHOUT THE APPROVAL OF YOUR DOCTOR.