Social Anxiety and Exercise
Exercise will not cure social anxiety. However, it can be part of the solution. Also, eating right will help your mind and my opinion is that it is just as important than exercise.
Exercise releases endorphines that basically helps you feel better and can clear your mind. It will allow you to feel energized and believe me, you'll need all the energy you can get when fighting your social anxiety. I currently do an exercise program named Insanity, and it does give me energy. I also lift weights as well, but nothing beats a good 'ole cardio workout.
Doctors say to exercise three days a week (this is with or without social anxiety). However, I've heard one hour a day - so I'm not sure what is right. However, if you do an hour a day, I'm sure you'll be better off. Let us put this in perspective though concerning social anxiety...more exercise doesn't mean you'll overcome this disorder.
Now if you suffer from a poor self- image, and part of your social anxiety stems from this, gaining muscle or losing weight does have the possibility of gaining more self-esteem. Let's say if a skinny teenager who gets picked on at school - starts lifting weights and gains a lot of muscle - I'm thinking that his self-image will improve as well as his social anxiety. This society bases so much on women being thin and men having muscles (at least being ripped) - that if anyone meeting the criteria will have a better self-image. (It is sad, but very true).
To summarize, exercise does not allow you to overcome social anxiety. It can improve your self-image which could lead you to overcome a little bit of social anxiety, but not all of it. Exercise can give you energy to face your fears and even better, it can give you a healthier life style.
One more thing. Exercise can get your mind off all your worries and fears. People who have social anxieties tend to obsess and worry a lot. People have to give their minds a break and exercise is the perfect remedy. Self-hypnosis is great in giving your mind a break from your worries as well. However, if both are done each day, it's like having an extra weapon against social anxiety.
Side note: One may ask what exercises they should do at least when it comes to cardio. Well, as mentioned before, I use the exercise program from Beach Body named Insanity. These are extreme exercises that last for up to an hour. However, you can use a stationary bike or a treadmill - something that gets you moving. Joining a health club would be great, but if you can afford to buy the equipment, let me tell you from personal experience, there is nothing like having your own personal gym. You can get up in the morning and get on your bike and get going. No driving to a gym. However, if you want more variety when it comes to gym equipment, your local health club would be best. Additionally, you have trainers there to help you if you have any questions. So in the end, it really depends on if you are willing to spend money for a home gym or if you want variety at a health club.