This Drug-Free Solution Sends Anxiety Packing
By
Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Posted April 9, 2022
Dear Living Well Daily Reader,
There is a plague of anxiety sweeping the nation.
And who could blame us? Anyone with half a brain SHOULD feel anxious about the state of the world.
But just like any other epidemic, just because something is going around doesn’t mean you should accept it.
More importantly, having anxiety does massive damage to your body and brain that just gets worse as you age.
You may have gotten comfort from over-the-counter fixes, prescription drugs, or even alcohol… but unfortunately, none of these calms anxiety long-term.
In fact, many of those “fixes” end up making anxiety worse over the long haul (not to mention living with the side effects!).
How about trying a drug-free solution that sends anxiety packing instead?
I’m talking about exercise.
A group of researchers from the University of Gothenburg has discovered that simple exercise can effectively minimize symptoms of anxiety.
Their study, published in the Journal of Affective Disorders, followed 286 people with long-term anxiety syndrome. They split the participants into two groups. The first exercised lightly, and the second exercised more intensely.
Anxiety levels dropped for most of the volunteers from “moderate” to “low” after following the program for three months.
And folks who trained at a lower intensity were 3.62 times more likely to see their anxiety symptoms DECREASE compared to non-exercisers.
Even better, those who trained at a greater intensity were 4.88 times more likely to reduce their anxiety.
All of the people in this study did one-hour workouts, three times a week, and mixed cardio and weight training.
While these exercises were more than the National Institutes of Health’s recommendations to get in 20 minutes light exercise daily, the results are remarkable… and make it worthwhile to ramp up your exercise efforts.
Think about anxiety this way: that nervous feeling is your body’s signal to get moving. That’s why I think so many people benefit from exercise – it’s giving your body what it needs.
As with ANY exercise program, make sure you start slow, check with your doctor beforehand, and get help (like a personal trainer) if you need it.
P.S. If you want to get the most out of your exercise routine, try this “micro exercise” trick. You might even lose some weight too!
SOURCE:
StudyFinds Wire. “Meds not needed: For anxiety sufferers, exercise proves to be a powerfully effective treatment.” 12/13/21. https://www.studyfinds.org/anxiety-exercise-effective-treatment/
Written By Dr. Scott Olson, ND
Nearly 25 years ago, failed mainstream medical treatments left Dr. Olson in constant pain – and his health in ruins. And that’s when he did something REVOLUTIONARY. He began his career in medicine – and dedicated his life to uncovering the true, underlying causes of disease.
Through his innovative medical practices in Tennessee and Colorado, Dr. Olson has helped cure countless seniors from across America of arthritis… heart disease… diabetes… and even cancer. All without risky prescription drugs or painful surgeries.
View More Free Articles
A New Reason to Ditch Processed Junk
If you’ve ever walked the inside aisles of your local grocery store and thought, “This is all just junk,” your instincts were spot on. A new study published in the journal Thorax just added another red flag to the list of dangers linked to ultra-processed food—a 41 percent higher risk of lung cancer. That’s right....
When Being Winded on Stairs Is Serious (And When It Isn’t)
I had an athlete visit me recently because he experienced shortness of breath while climbing stairs. He is in great shape, so he was worried about what it might mean. “Doc,” he said, “I run five miles three times a week. Why am I huffing and puffing after two flights of stairs?” His concern is...
Study EXPOSES Hidden Danger Lurking in Your Car
We think of our homes and cars as safe havens. But according to a startling new study, they may be flooding your lungs with microscopic plastic particles—every single day. Researchers in France recently found that adults inhale an average of 68,000 microplastic particles daily from indoor air alone. To put that in perspective, that’s about...
Mailbag: Is Modern Food Making You Snore?
“What can cause snoring, and is there a way to correct this issue?” —Seeking Silence Hi Seeking, Snoring happens when the soft tissues in your throat relax and vibrate as air passes through during sleep. While several factors can cause snoring—from sleep position to nasal congestion—I want to share one trigger that might surprise you....
Simple Food Swap SLASHES Dementia Risk 28%
Let’s be honest… who would jump at the chance to cut their dementia risk by 28 percent. And no, you don’t need to run marathons, survive on broccoli, or learn to play the zither (whatever that is) to make it happen. All it takes is one easy swap—something that’s probably already in your refrigerator. Researchers...
This SMART Floss Exposes Hidden Health Danger
Scientists have created dental floss that doesn’t just clean between your teeth—it also tracks your stress while you’re flossing. Now, I know what you’re thinking… “Great—now even flossing is going to stress me out by telling me how stressed I am.” But this fascinating new tool from Tufts University could be a game-changer for understanding...
Is This "Safe" Sweetener Damaging Your Brain?
The headlines are alarming… “Popular Sugar Substitute Linked to Brain Cell Damage” and “Erythritol Could Damage Critical Brain Barrier” are just two of the dozens I’ve spotted recently. But before you toss every sugar-free product in your pantry, let’s take a closer look at what this study actually shows—and what it doesn’t. The latest research...
This Summer Threat Could SPIKE Your Blood Sugar
Picture this… It’s another scorching hot summer day. You crank up the air conditioning while watching the weather forecast, which predicts yet another “record-breaking” heat wave. It’s starting to feel like just another miserably uncomfortable summer. But what you might not realize is that—if you have diabetes—those rising temps could do far more damage to...
Move Over Yogurt—5 Foods That Pack MORE Probiotics
Let’s talk about your gut. The microbiome is the collection of trillions of bacteria and other tiny organisms that live in and on your body—especially in your gut—and help keep you healthy. I’ve written often about how vital it is to maintain a healthy microbiome. And you might have dutifully added yogurt to your shopping...
Is Your Heart Older Than YOU?
Maybe you feel young for your age. Good energy, decent sleep, eating your veggies. But what if I told you your heart might be a decade older than the rest of you? That’s exactly what researchers at Northwestern University found in a new study published in JAMA Cardiology. The average American woman’s heart is about...