wellness
Exercise Cuts Anxiety Symptoms for Old Town Chi Residents
New local reports tie regular physical activity to measurable drops in anxiety for residents along Wells Street and nearby blocks.
How we reported this
Old Town residents who log at least 150 minutes of moderate exercise each week report 25 percent lower anxiety scores than those who stay sedentary, according to a May 2025 analysis from the American Psychological Association.
Summer heat and longer daylight hours have pushed more people outdoors this July, amplifying interest in movement as a practical stress tool. The finding arrives as local clinics note a rise in anxiety-related visits since the start of the year, with many patients citing work deadlines and crowded commutes along Clark Street.
Programs at Wells Street and North Avenue
The Wells Street Community Center runs free group walks every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 a.m., starting from its entrance at 1616 N. Wells St. Participants cover a 3-mile loop that ends near the Old Town Triangle Association offices. A second option sits two blocks east at the Old Town Trail entrance on North Avenue, where the city’s Park District offers evening yoga sessions priced at $12 per class through September.
Both sites draw steady crowds of 40 to 60 people on weekdays. Staff at the Wells Street center track attendance on a simple clipboard system and report that repeat visitors often mention better sleep and steadier moods after four weeks.
A 2023 study in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders tracked 180 adults who added three 30-minute brisk walks weekly; their average GAD-7 anxiety scores fell from 12.4 to 9.9 within eight weeks. The same research found that consistency mattered more than intensity, with participants who missed fewer than two sessions showing the clearest gains.
Next steps for Old Town residents
Anyone new to the routine can start with the Tuesday walk at the Wells Street Community Center and add one North Avenue yoga class the following week. The Park District posts updated schedules on its website each Monday, and the Community Center accepts walk-in sign-ups at the front desk until 6:30 p.m. daily.