So, for anxiety, it’s best if you do the exercise, but you also monitor whether or not it’s causing more anxiety. And if so, can you find types of exercise that are not anxiety-provoking? For example, adding tai chi, qigong, some of these down-regulating types of exercise, and then also maybe finding the types, being outdoors might be more helpful for someone who’s anxious.

Dr. Cassandra Vieten is a licensed clinical psychologist and executive director of the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation. You can find out more about her work and the report we discussed at www.johnwbrickfoundation.org.