Anxiety Disorder Chest Pain Exercise

Progressive Muscle Relaxation

• HealthyPlace.com describes "progressive muscle relaxation" as a technique in which you bunch all the muscles of a particular muscle group together as hard as you can (for example, the thighs) and hold them as tight as you can for 10 seconds. Then, release your muscles all at once. Focus on how different your muscles feel when they are relaxed, as opposed to when they're all bunched up. Continue doing this with each of your muscle groups until your entire body is relaxed. For lasting effectiveness, you should practice this technique daily, especially before any situation that causes you particular anxiety.
  
  To help with chest pain, pay careful attention to the way your chest feels when relaxed and free of tension. Make sure your breathing is steady and calm when practicing progressive muscle relaxation, so that when feelings of anxiety flare up again, you can remember to control your breathing and muscles, lessening the effects of an anxiety attack.
  
  

Exercise

• HelpGuide.org suggests that people suffering from an anxiety disorder can gain relief from their symptoms through exercise. When practiced for 30 minutes a day, at least three times a week, exercise creates feelings of well-being and an elevated mood, in addition to providing other health benefits. Be sure to exercise regularly, because exercise lowers stress levels and lessens anxiety, reducing the chances of anxiety-related chest pain. Take a brisk walk, jog or run, or engage in sports you enjoy. You can also try rock-climbing (indoor or outdoor), hiking or any other exercise that gets you outdoors and active.
  
  

Meditation

• InteliHealth.com suggests that meditation has been shown to have immediate healthful effects for people suffering from anxiety. To meditate, you simply need to go to a quiet, safe environment and close your eyes. Focus on steadying your breathing. If you begin to have distressful thoughts or emotions, let them pass through you, pay them no attention. If your mind wanders, don't worry about it.
  
  Practice meditating daily as the cumulative effects will eventually reduce the severity of your anxiety. This will also lessen the pain experienced when an anxiety attack occurs.