My personal experience of anxiety disorders, covering some 13 years, has taught me that they can have a huge negative impact on one’s self-estem.

The disorder can make people feel that there is something almost wierd about them, and this can cause people to become very introverted. What can follow is then the feeling that they simply do not want to leave home, where they feel safe and warm, and they can then become an agoraphobic. They literally are housebound, trapped at home, where they feel safe and warm. This is purely to set the scene, as I am not intending to pursue agoraphobia specifically.

Curing any anxiety disorder necessitates finding out what is the root cause, or more likely causes, of the disorder and then ideally getting rid of them. The disorder will then go away as long as the source of the root cause[s] is either totally eradicated or continually managed, ideally the former.

There are many factors which can contribute towards anxiety disorders, and generally it is a combination of these factors which need addressing. It is my personal experience that it is rarely just one factor which needs treating, but usually a number of them.

Again in my experience, lifestyle factors such as diet, exercise and sleep play a big part in the anxiety disorder equation, and by addressing those issues, one can go a long way towards effecting a permanent cure.

I have huge faith in the value of any anxiety disorder sufferer taking up exercise, no matter how modest the form of that exercise. What it does for both the body and the mind is inestimable, and I say that with a lot of feeling as it many times lifted me when I was really down on the proverbial floor.

Exercise can be a big help not only in controlling the weight, but also in creating what I can only describe as a very satisfying from of tiredness, which in turn helps the sleep patterns.

I proved this to myself time and time again, both whilst out running, and also whilst in the gym. The other benefits are that the person is actually getting out, and is seen to be out. In addition, they will not just develop a better image about themselves again, but will find friends and family will do the same thing because of their exercise regime. People will even start to look up to them, and again, let’s all be totally honest about such a thing, and throw false modesty out of the window, that can be a huge boost to the personal self-esteem.

Even though running was a huge benefit to me, and still is, even walking a few miles per week can have just as much impact to people. It is doing something which is the core to this, rather than doing nothing.

I know of people who have had the same benefits from joining a sports club, or a local heath club or gym. It also gets them back amongst people again, and away from that agoraphobia feeling of being trapped at home.

I am aware of people who have benefitted greatly from doing such diverse things as joining their local church choir and even their pool club. Now pool may not be the most strenuous of exercises, but it is a very socialable pastime, with obvious consequential benefits.

Notwithstanding the physical benefits of the exercise, whatever form it takes, and what it can do to strengthen the immune system, all of this gives a huge boost to the self-esteem of the individual.

I would personally go as far as to say that were it not for my own exercise regime, I am really not sure if I would have made it out of the mental morass I had gotten myself into.

My sleeping improved, I have been able to control my weight, and also have learned both how to eat better, and more healthily. This in turn has all contributed to my physical well-being, which has had a big impact on my view of myself. I became not just pleased with myself, but secretly proud of what I was achieving.

I was doing things each week which few people ever attempt, and all this despite my disorder. What that did for my feeling of personal worth I simply am unable to put into words.

It goes without saying that I personally recommend anyone with any form of an anxiety disorder to start taking up some form of exercise. You can achieve anything in life if you really want to and even if you have not exercised in years, that is no reason not to start. All great journeys start with that first step.

Lack of any exercise, along with poor diet and bad sleep patterns, in my experience can contribute hugely to one having an anxiety disorder. Conversely, the adoption of even the most modest exercise can have huge spin-offs, and can go a long way towards helping the sufferer cure their disorder. So make your own decision, take that first step today, it is something you will never ever regret doing.