EASE NERVES WITH THE RIGHT EXERCISE

Google searches for tackling anxiety by getting active have shot up. Emma explains why choosing what you do is important

Exercise combats stress, making you feel healthier and raising your self-esteem, but if you choose the wrong type, it can do the reverse. Take high-intensity cardio, for example. Instead of making you feel calm, it can mimic the panicky feelings that you have during an anxiety attack – a racing heart and breathlessness. This is why thinking about what you want to achieve from exercise is key. If you want to soothe stress, then trying Pilates or tai chi is way more likely to help you to wind down and relax. For other people, a quick jog can leave them feeling refreshed. It’s important to tune in to how you feel during and after. Exercise doesn’t have to be formal, getting active is what counts, and getting outside to take a brisk walk, so you’re slightly out of breath, while concentrating on the world around you can be an excellent antidote to low mood, or high anxiety. It helps regulate chemicals in your brain that can lead to a restful night’s sleep, and it brings you back to the present, a form of mindful practice which is known for reducing anxiety. Research shows that mornings are the best time to exercise as it appears to have a positive impact on the rest of your day. Try not to exercise within two hours of bedtime as this has been proven to be disruptive to sleep. Instead wind down with a meditation stream. Even though this isn’t physical exercise, it does take your brain on a journey, which is a healthy activity in such turbulent times.