Decreasing anxiety with lifestyle changes? - Anxiety Message Board

mjewell · 06-21-2005, 10:00 AM

Has anyone had success in decreasing anxiety or med dependence with a lifestyle makeover, like exercise, diet, etc? I REALLY want to be as healthy as I possibly can but have a hard time being consistent with exercise and a good diet, particularly on the days when i am tired or very anxious. We all know how hard it can be to eat right and get to the gym when you are tearing your hair out or exhausted/sick from the latest round of anxiety.

I've been on Effexor for a week, haven't noticed much difference just yet but I'm hoping when it kicks in I will have the push I need to get to the gym regularly and will have the energy and appetite to eat right. My problem in the past is that I have not been able to do it consistently enough to really see if it makes a difference. There has to be something to it though, seems like these days everything can be prevented or at least helped by exercising, reducing stress and eating well.

I guess I am just looking for anyone who has done this and has good results or who knows someone else who did it - I need some inspiration!!

209mayne · 06-21-2005, 11:40 AM

yes anxiety does decrease with a lifestyle change, i never took med because they say it doesnt heal the anxiety just covers the problem, i do take calms forte and i found that that worked i still take it because if i miss a days dosage i get the crapy feelin that comes with anxiety, excercise does work, when i first started excercising after my anxiety and panic attacks my heart rate was running like crazy, easily fatigued but after a few times i was back to normal, i have completley cut nicotine and caffiene, and for a while cut red meat to a certain extent, and tried to cut back on thinking too much and worrying.....I give credit to calms forte for about 60% of my healing from the worse side effects of anxiety and 40% to the changes ive made, with that said i have developed a case of hypochondria which i cant shake and i heard the only way to cure this is time or meds.....

Marirose · 06-21-2005, 12:01 PM

Yes, i believe that you can decrease your anxiety by changing your lifestyle. One trap that I tend to fall into though is trying to make too many drastic changes all at once to "get healthy" but I really make myself more anxious when I can't keep up with the pace I set for myself. Instead of saying "I will excercise everyday, always eat right and get 8 hours sleep everynight" or whatever, try making a more gradual plan "I will excercise three times a week, make sure that 99% of my snacks are healthy, and will allow my body the rest it needs." I have found that this more gradual approach allows you to meet your goals and add to them, instead of a radical lifestyle makeover that just can't last. Remember, too, that part of recovery is being kind to yourself, not beating yourself up over having some setbacks in your improvement plan. Hope this helps - best wishes, Marirose

kinsey61 · 06-21-2005, 02:58 PM

I have had great success with lifestyle change and exercise decreasing my anxiety/depression. I think the key is routine, at least for some people. There is such comfort in consistency. But like you mentioned, if you start to get stressed about breaking the routine well, the purpose is defeated. I think Marirose was right, gradual is a good way to go. Maybe pick either eating right OR excercising, then melding them together. Once you feel better from one, it will be easier to do the next.

For excercise, try to pick an activity that you like ( or at least don't hate.). I enjoy a mixture of stretches and excercises wth light weights ( Comibination of physical therapist, books and chiropractor, DON"t just make up your own routine, it's easy to injure yourself. ) See, going out and being around people stresses ME, so I bought some inexpensive dumbbells, ankle weights, an excercise bench and mat, along with a book on weight training and I was all set up at HOME. I chose 3 days a weeks to start, shooting for MWF, but not making that strict, as long as there was a day between a whole body workout and the next. I think the goal needs to be attainable or you just get disgusted and quit. Since everything was at home, I chose a time of day when some silly reruns were on tv, and listened to them while I worked out.( TV relaxes me, it might be music for you.) I took my time, and the whole workout took about an hour. I started all this for my MENTAL health, but as I noticed my arms and butt getting firmer, I must admit, the results, and vanity are great motivators.

Just wanted to tell you what worked for me, I think the whole a " at home" thing gave me a lot more flexibility to make and meet my goals. Making the goals attainable is important too. The only part I stuck strictly to is the 3 day a week thing, times and days of the week had a lot more flexbility, but as I fell into a routine they did too.
Anyway, maybe if the being at home would help you, you could get some small equipment, or a book or tape on yoga. ( My brother-in-law is a yoga insstructor and his body is beautiful) Yoga also has the benefit of the meditation and stuff, I keep promising myself I'll try it, but I guess since my routine now works, I have been procrastinating. I hear from many people it's good stuff for body and soul. Don't know if this helps but good luck!

PS Just FYI, I did not do very well on effexor, I understand from this board some people don't. I would monitor any changes closely and ask your Ddoctor to change the Rx if it isn't working for you. I waited far too long, but now Cymbalta is working well for me.

ajresovsky · 06-21-2005, 05:12 PM

Yes, I tried - exercised( wieghts,yoga and areobic), deep breathing, nativeremedies - nada, stinko, zip!
Tried meditation ( the TM kind: 20 min. early morn and 20 min. afternoon, followed bt 10 min relax) BINGO no more amxiety or insomnia!
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Took effexor wworked great, but forget erection! You must taper off
gradually! Effexor withdrawf is 30 day of pure hekk!