Can anxiety make it difficult to exercise??

Mental health
1

Hi,

For about a month, I am randomly getting breathing difficulties. Lots of effort to inhale, looking for deep inhales to “work”, and random moments of breathlessness. It is likely anxiety, as asthma puffers, and antacids don’t really work.

One of the difficult parts has been exercise. Before this happened, I loved doing cardio exercise and the feeling after. But since this happened, cardio exercise has been difficult. I feel out of shape when I do try to exercise. And I feel like my airways are so tight and closed, that I can’t breathe well enough to exercise. I’m also scared after exercise, I may get very short of breath, and have to go to the hospital or something. There is no good post-exercise feeling anymore. Sucks, because I used to LOVE to exercise, and exercise helps with anxiety, but I feel like I can’t do it.

Anyone else feel this way with their anxiety and exercise?? Is it hard for you to exercise with anxiety breathing difficulties?

2

yes I know what that feels like. We feel that way because anxiety is hard on the body. It’s sort of weakens us and that’s why it’s difficult to work out.just do a little bit at a time and don’t overdo it until you build your strength up again.

3

Thanks for the reply :slight_smile: really appreciate it! Do you have shortness of breath, chest and throat tightness as well when exercising? Or just general weakness about exercising?