Regular exercise and spending time outdoors is important in managing mental and physical health. Studies seem to show that exercise can be as effective for improving mental health as SSRIs. Exercise may be particularly helpful for patients managing anxiety, action being the antidote to anxiety.
It is important to find a form of exercise that is tolerable and enjoyable to build a regular habit of movement. Going for a 30 minute walk outside every day is an approachable place to start. It may also be helpful to find opportunities for movement in your everyday life, such as by choosing to take the stairs instead of the elevator or parking further away in the parking lot. Developing an increased tolerance for movement may also enable you to participate more in other enjoyable parts of your life, such as going out or playing with children or grandchildren.
