Yes, all Im afraid this does play a part in reducing anxiety and depression. As much as you may not like doing it (Ive never been a huge fan of it myself) but once you get into it, you certainly feel better for it afterwards.

Exercise is also helps increase your lung capacity, makes your heart stronger, helps your circulation, helps you sleep better, makes your muscles stronger, gives you more energy etc.. etc..

Now there are four main types of exercise, these are;

Endurance Exercise This will be the main type of exercise you want to focus on. This one helps reduce anxiety and depression. Its not particularly intense. Even a quick 10 minute walk a day will help. Optimum would be a half an hour a walk a day.

Strength Exercise This type of exercise builds muscles. Do this if you want a body like Arnold Schwarzeneggar from back in the 80s. I wont say from today, as from recent pictures Ive seen of him, it looks like he has let his muscle turn to flab ;-)

Balance Exercise This is commonly used for older people, to help prevent them from falling over. Examples of this type of exercise would be balancing on one foot for a short amount of time.

Flexibility Exercise This is mostly stretching exercises, and something I highly recommend you do before you tread out for a walk. It can be quite painfully pulling a muscle, and easy to do, especially if you havent exercised in a while. Learn from my mistakes, I pulled a stomach muscle on a brisk walk I did when I began to do this, and then was out of action for a few days.

Starting your day each day with a quick walk will lift your spirits dramatically, I cannot emphasis enough how much exercising will benefit you. If Im wrong, Ill eat my own words *smiles*

Joanne King - http://www.anxiety-panic-free.com