Are you a person who avoids physical activity because your anxiety disorder prevents you? Or are you one of those who just don't think about physical activity? I avoid activity sometimes because I just don't feel like it, or I'm quite happy not to be doing anything so strenuous.
It's so much easier sitting in a chair watching TV, or sitting on the deck watching birds visit my small waterfall and pond.
Sometimes, however, lack of activity can do more harm than good.
Not just because your body can't stay fit when it's not being worked.
Inactivity gives us too much time to think.
Inactivity causes boredom and depression.
Inactivity can make anxiety disorder worse.
When I was recovering from my anxiety disorder, it soon became clear that doing nothing was causing me far too much discomfort.
It left too much time to ponder my condition, to worry about every strange sensation, no matter how small.
Every twinge meant some life threatening disease was overtaking me.
Every comment heard on television or from family members were interpreted as something that plagued me, even when it didn't.
Far too much time to think, imagine and absorb all the problems that could possibly relate to me.
Each day while I sat in my apartment alone, anxiety attacks were rampant.
The slightest hint of a problem would trigger my anxiety disorder to the point I was afraid of everything.
When my therapist suggested I get out and join a club that interested me, I got to thinking.
In my younger days I'd always been active, but since developing anxiety disorder, activity was the last thing on my mind.
One day while under extreme stress, I went for a walk in the country - away from the noise of traffic, phones ringing, and electronic humming that emanates from refrigerators, clocks, air conditioners and the like.
To my surprise, the serenity of nature quickly brought down the stress.
I felt at ease, comfortable and anxiety free.
It was an amazing experience.
Since then, I've made it a regular goal to take a walk, get exercise and enjoy the peace that is in nature.
The result is an incredible reduction in stress and anxiety.
When possible, I participate in community activities, take hikes with our local naturalist group, sometimes I go bowling and at other times I take my camera and roam through historical districts taking pictures.
There are several reasons why physical activity is one ideal solution to anxiety disorder.

1. If you join a walking, cycling or other group you get to socialize which, in itself, reduces the intensity of your condition because you are no longer alone.
   Socializing in a casual setting like that forces you to take your obsessive thinking and anxious thoughts and turn the focus outside yourself.
   The social setting can also provide much-needed support when the right connections are made.
   
2. While inactivity over an extended period can lead to the development of medical illnesses, activity wards them off because the body is stronger, both mentally and physically.
   
3. Activity forces you to abandon negative thinking, which is a common element of anxiety disorder.
   
4. Low self esteem has been directly linked to anxiety disorder.
   It contributes to the condition, even in people who previously had good self-esteem.
   In fact, anxiety all but destroys self esteem.
   Participating in activities involving other people and alone can boost your self-esteem and thereby ward off anxiety attacks.
   
5. Physical activity boosts endorphins in the brain which, in turn, trigger a feeling of wellness and general wellbeing as well as heightened alertness.
   No more fuzzy thinking and sluggishness.
   You will develop more energy and become stronger in many ways.
   

Now that my anxiety disorder is completely under control, I can immediately sense when an anxiety attack is imminent.
Walking my dog along the beach quickly stops them.
Experience has proven to me that anxiety disorder can improve tremendously when activity becomes a regular part of your recovery process.
You can enjoy fast results that will amaze you if you simply find an activity that you truly enjoy and that makes you feel good.
Put it to use whenever you need a break from stress and anxiety.
In time, you will discover your own anxiety cure.
If you want more information about anxiety disorder, visit Natural Anxiety Relief where you can read more tips on my blog and learn about programs to help you.