High anxiety is a modern scourge. Part of it stems from the outrage manufactured by social media and the 24/7 news cycle. We can seldom outrun the reach of our smartphones. Coping in the 21st century requires thick skin and Herculean focus.
But now, Brazilian researchers have discovered a medication-free way to deal with the stresses of daily life — stay fit.
Their recent study found that people who have poor cardiorespiratory fitness were nearly eight times more likely to experience high anxiety in stressful situations. That’s compared to fit individuals.
Cardiorespiratory fitness describes how well the heart, lungs and blood deliver oxygen to our muscles.
Researchers also found an association with fitness and anger, with couch potatoes more likely to fume over something than fit counterparts. The study also found that they struggled to control their anger.
Anxiety is a vicious loop. The study shows that high anxiety also tends to reduce physical activity.
Scientists measured this phenomenon by showing a group of healthy young adults a series of photos with disturbing images. Those depicted violence and accidents. They are the sort of images one might find while scrolling through a social media feed.
Then they measured how the viewer’s emotions changed.
Investigators say their findings show that exercise does more than strengthen our muscles. It appears to help rewire our brains to better handle the challenges of daily life.
Americans spend billions on mental health care and medications. But the study suggests that a little exercise might do what a pharmacy sometimes can’t — better control anxiety and anger.