The Best Forms of Movement for Anxiety, Depression & Chronic Pain

listen to the full episode on:
Apple Podcast | Spotify | Stitcher

If you struggle with anxiety, depression, or chronic pain you know how debilitating and overwhelming it can be to show up in life the way you dream of showing up. You may feel like something is always holding you back. Or like you’re not enough because of the things you’re feeling and facing emotionally and physically.

But friend, you are enough. You have always been enough and you are worthy of taking up space in any room you wish to show up in.

With today’s podcast episode, I wanted to share a few forms of movement that help anxiety, depression, and chronic pain. Click the link above to listen to the full episode on your favorite podcast platform (it’s only 5 minutes long!) or read the show notes below.

PS – You may think of a few ideas that I didn’t include in this list, so feel free to do what feels good for you and your body! You have the power to make the choices that best support you :)

The Best Forms of Movement for Anxiety, Depression, and Chronic Pain

Movement is magic. It’s energizing and empowering. Movement helps reduce anxiety, depression, and chronic pain in a powerful, approachable, and fun way. You’ll instantly feel the benefits of movement, even after just 5 minutes!

01: The Best Forms of Movement for Anxiety

The Movement — Anything high intensity! Things like:

– Kickboxing
– HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
– Running/jogging
– Cycling
– Etc!

The Goal — Give your anxiety an outlet. If you find yourself thinking about the future or holding onto worry, self-doubt, or situations that happened in the past, these forms of movement will pull you back into the present moment.

The Benefit — You’ll feel empowered as you get outside of your own head and move in a way that reminds you how incredible you already are. Plus, movement provides an outlet for the anxiety to leave your body.

02: The Best Forms of Movement for Depression

The Movement — Anything that helps you take up space! Things like:

– Yoga
– Mobility Flows
– Walking or hiking outside
– HIIT (High Intensity Interval Training)
– Swimming
– Etc!

The Goal — Generate energy from the inside out by increasing your blood flow and heart rate. Plus, it will help you open up mentally, physically, and emotionally as you relieve any tension, stress, or self-doubt.

The Benefit — When you feel depressed, it really helps to take up space, tune into your body, and breathe deep. If you can get outside to move, you’ll feel even more inspired to see yourself and the world from a kinder, more loving perspective.

03: The Best Forms of Movement for Chronic Pain

The Movement — Anything that feels restorative & healing! Things like:

– Breathwork
– Meditation
– Walking
– Mobility Flows
– Etc!

The Goal — Meet yourself where you’re at in a gentle and loving way. Help yourself move through pain points, have fun, generate energy, and check in with the body.

The Benefit — By tuning into your body through the power of breath, you’ll feel more connected to yourself. Plus, you’ll notice a decrease in pain, tension, and stress levels.

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Have a specific question? Send me a DM on Instagram!

Friendly reminder: You are enough.

With Love from your Fitness Coach & Wellness Obsessed BFF,
Madison | The Fit Flamingo

Hi, I’m Madison Deaton. As a personal trainer, nutrition and self-love coach, I focus on the inside first, helping you get to the root of why you think and feel the way you do. Then I use things like functional fitness, holistic nutrition, mindset and self-love tools to help you connect with yourself on a deeper level, see things from a new perspective, and unlearn habits that no longer serve you so you can take up space, step into your power, and become the woman of your dreams (friendly reminder: she has been YOU all along). Welcome to The Fit Flamingo! I’m so glad you’re here.