The psychologist pointed out the benefits of sports in the fight against anxiety

Practicing psychologist Eduard Shamsutdinov on Monday, July 27, told how sport helps to cope with anxiety and raises self-esteem.

In an interview with Radio 1, the expert noted that any kind of sport — team or individual — helps to combat stress and has a positive effect on the emotional state.

According to him, football and basketball improve mood, develop team skills and help to cope with anxiety, tennis increases concentration and stress tolerance, swimming promotes relaxation and improves sleep, running stimulates the production of endorphins, yoga reduces stress, and martial arts strengthen discipline and self-confidence. Strength training, the specialist added, also helps to increase self-esteem and improve well-being.

Shamsutdinov stressed that each sport has its advantages, and regular physical activity in any format has a beneficial effect on health and mental and emotional state.

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On the same day, Maria Polyakova, a psychologist and body-oriented therapist, told RT that severe anxiety can have a destructive effect on the respiratory system, provoking a condition almost indistinguishable from asthma attacks. The specialist explained that during severe anxiety, the body triggers a "fight or flight" reaction. Due to rapid breathing and muscle spasm, there is a feeling of lack of air, and panic only increases the feeling of suffocation, creating a vicious circle.

Before that, on July 24, Olesya Pokusaeva, a child and family psychologist, told 360.ru that sport helps in the fight against autoaggression. So, in order not to accumulate negative emotions, the specialist recommended directing them in a safe direction — for example, through boxing, kickboxing or other physical activity.

In early July, it was reported that Russia was creating themed VR libraries to reduce anxiety and stress disorders. According to experts, the technology may be especially useful for patients with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), anxiety disorders, and those who are unable to attend face-to-face psychotherapy.

In June, psychologist Yulia Zheravova explained that it is worth choosing a sport based on your goals and character traits. According to her, running, swimming and strength training are better suited for weight loss, Pilates is for flexibility development, and martial arts, team games or running will help to relieve tension for short—tempered people. In order not to lose motivation, you should learn to enjoy not only the result, but also the training process itself, writes RIAMO.

In May, psychologist Eduard Shamsutdinov explained how not to harm yourself with training. According to him, reactions to physical activity depend on genetics, personal experience, stress level and current psycho-emotional state, notes Life.ru .