wellness
Exercise Cuts Anxiety Through Regular Movement in The Annex
Local residents report measurable drops in stress after adding consistent workouts to weekly routines.
How we reported this
A 2025 University of Toronto study found that adults who exercised for at least 150 minutes each week saw anxiety scores drop by an average of 28 percent within eight weeks.
The finding arrives as The Annex faces continued pressure from urban density and work demands, with many residents seeking non-medication options to steady their nerves. City data from last quarter showed a 14 percent rise in calls to community mental health lines compared with the same period in 2024, prompting wellness groups to expand movement-based programs.
Annex spots turning research into daily practice
Along Bloor Street, the Annex Recreation Center now runs three free drop-in running groups each week that start at 7 a.m. from its front doors. A few blocks north on Dupont Street, the Annex Wellness Collective added two new strength classes this spring aimed at beginners who want to manage work stress without gym intimidation. Both sites report waiting lists that have grown from 12 names in January to more than 40 names this month.
Participants track progress through simple phone apps that log heart rate and mood before and after sessions. One 42-year-old graphic designer who joined the Dupont classes said her nightly worry loops shortened after four weeks of twice-weekly lifts and walks along the nearby Greenway Trail.
Numbers that back the local push
The same 2025 University of Toronto review examined 17 trials and found that moderate aerobic work lowered generalized anxiety scores by roughly one-quarter when done three or more times weekly. Local program fees stay low: the Recreation Center charges $8 per drop-in class for non-members, while the Wellness Collective offers a $65 monthly pass that covers unlimited movement sessions and a single consultation with an on-site trainer.
City planners have penciled in an extra $120,000 next fiscal year to extend trail lighting along the Greenway so evening sessions can continue past sunset. Residents who want to start can sign up through the Annex Recreation Center website or visit either location in person before the next round of groups fills.