Do you lie awake at night not being able to sleep because of uncomfortable muscle tension in your back, neck or shoulders? You might be experiencing anxiety which is causing you to tense up.

According to research published by the University of Georgia in the US, generalised anxiety disorder usually presents in a number of symptoms, including fatigue, muscle tension, irritability and lack of sleep.

However, the study found that regular exercise can reduce these symptoms and help patients feel calmer about their day-to-day lives.

Lead author Matthew Herring commented: "Our findings add to the growing body of evidence of the positive effects of exercise training on anxiety."

Fellow research team member Cynthia Suveg added: "The results of this research are very exciting because exercise is available to everyone, is relatively inexpensive and has beneficial effects beyond the reduction of anxious and depressive symptoms."

So next time you feel anxious and tense, try going for a run, hitting the gym or even just lying down on your Yantra Mat to help clear your mind and loosen those tight muscles.