Yoga & Running

[homebrews]

The number of anxiety attacks seems to have been growing with me, so I wanted to pass along somethings that have alleviated some of the symptoms.  Exercise - particularly yoga (even it if seems girly or kinda dumb), has been particularly soothing & help for a range of my symptoms.  It helps me relax, and they even have poses that help with digestion.  

I've also gotten involved with running.  I used to dislike it, but now I absolutely love it.  Being bed ridden for 3 months will do that to you I suppose.  The real help is in forgetting though.  You lose yourself in the run (or sometimes fast paced walk).  You lose the anxiety.  You lose the pain.  You lose the feeling on edge.  It releases endorphines.  It provides me with reassurance that even though I 'think' I'm having heart problems instead of my gastritis, that reason can help intervene when I'm having attacks.  I'll say to myself, "Ok, genius, if you're having a heart attack, how in the world did you just run 1+ miles, and felt great the whole time?"   I try to do it everyday it doesn't rain or is too cold.  I still do yoga everyday - even if for just 10 minutes in the morning.  

If I were a doctor I would PRESCRIBE these two activities on a daily or at least every other day to EVERY person who suffers anxiety attacks.  The only other thing that has helped me has been to pop a xanax during the most severe episodes.  

Good Luck!!!  And give it a shot!

[Dalubaba]

Backward walking and running is better work out.Muscles used during backward walking are different. One poster has hinted that it is 10 times more efficient than forward walking. It also hslps in reducing constipation. i do forward and backward walking since 3 months do it as a walking meditation.i hope it helps in some way.
Recenty i was diagnosed that i am having hyper tension. I am given B blocker and a diuretic. I am adding one yoga posture - Jalandhar Bandh (throat Lock). After some practice i will chec my B.P. and try to learn wheather it really helps. there was a trial on 22 patients. and it was successful.
I alos do Ujjai pranayam. this alos help to reduce B.P

[cj29]

I am glad that this is beneficial for you....I am the exact same way.  I have always loved running though:), but any form of cardio for me really helps my mood.  I usually do about 35-50 minutes 6 times a week and it helps tremendously.  I can actually tell the days that I don't because my anxiety seems to rise and I just don't feel that well.  

Yoga is also great in my opinion....it can 'center' you and let you focus on other things (and it kicks my butt when I do it, which is not that often though, but my wife loves it).  

Besides helping with your anxiety, it helps with your overall health as well...so it is a win win situation in my opinion!