Yoga vs. Walking to Treat Anxiety

Who doesnt feel a little anxious and "stressed out" from time to time? One of the best ways to "send stress packing" is to exercise, but what type of exercise is best? Two forms of exercise that doctors recommend to anxious patients are yoga or walking. Both forms of exercise require minimal equipment, other than a good pair of shoes, and theyre safe for most people to do. But which is better?

Yoga vs. Walking for Anxiety Treatment

According to a new study published in the Journal of Alternative and Complementary medicine, yoga trumps walking when it comes to easing anxiety symptoms. Research shows that yoga increases levels of a neurotransmitter called GABA thats low in people who are anxious. Doctors often use medications that increase GABA levels to treat anxiety, but yoga increases levels of this "relaxing" brain chemical naturally. Just one the many benefits of yoga.

According to researchers at Boston University School of Medicine, yoga not only raises GABA levels, participants feel less anxious and "stressed out" after a session. Doing yoga poses increases the release of this powerful neurotransmitter that calms the mind and reduces anxiety.

What About Walking for Anxiety?

Walking at a low to moderate pace reduces levels of cortisol, the so-called stress hormone. This helps to reduce anxiety levels too, although it doesnt affect GABA levels in the same way yoga does. Walking outdoors in nature is particularly therapeutic for lowering cortisol levels and reducing stress and anxiety.

The Benefits of Yoga vs. Walking

Yoga vs. walking for anxiety - which should you choose? Either has its benefits for relieving stress, but yoga outperformed walking in this study. It would be ideal to combine both forms of exercise as a double-pronged approach to treating anxiety. Walk for thirty minutes one day, and do a thirty minute yoga session the next. This would offer a little variety too.

Yoga vs. Walking for Anxiety: The Bottom Line?

Yoga has powerful benefits when it comes to relieving anxiety, because it alters levels of the brain neurotransmitter GABA. On the other hand, walking outdoors has a calming effect too. Try combining these two forms of exercise, and feel your stress melt away - naturally.

References:

Medical News Today. "Yogas Ability to Improve Mood and Lessen Anxiety is Linked to Increased levels of a Critical Brain Chemical"