Exercise as stress management

Chriswashere86

Does exercise relax you? Is exercise stress management for you? What does it mean to you?

Lillymoo01

Exercise (sadly walking is pretty much it because of knee damage) is great for my mental health and PTSD. There is nothing like a walk in nature to help me unwind a bit and clear my mind.

TavistockToad

running is therapy for me

passenger79

I am following Stronglifts and do c210k but I tell you what relaxes me the most , hiking .

I am off with my partner later on 5h drive to Snowdonia ( national park in Wales, UK) and plan a long hike tomorrow. Being outdoors does wonders for me . I am on antipsychotic meds for Bipolar which I have to take but this really helps me unwind .

Planning to do alot more camping this year and just get out as much as I can. All the exercise calories from hiking all day don't hurt either:)

rikkejohnsenrij

According to my husbands walking and exercise is great for my stress. He sometimes goes so far as to very pointedly suggest that I go for a walk when he can feel I stress

speedingticket

Yep. I dont always feel brilliant after, but exercise keeps me on an even keel. I dont feel like I have much control over a lot of things in life, which stresses me out, but I have complete control over my body and what I can teach it to do, improve, etc.

mabearof6

Running is my ME time!!! My kids and hubby always say they can tell when its a run rest day, I'm a little grumpier. Other exercise though just doesn't relax me at all.

beerfoamy

Swimming de-stresses me perfectly before work each morning.
Sometimes I will go for a walk now rather than eat if emotional/stressed after work.

The rest of my exercise is fun-based. Although squash can be a great stress reliever, much to the upset of my partners, as they tend to think I play 'evil' when stressed. lol

KarenSmith2018

working out is certainly my stress reliever. Running is time for me: freedom, fresh air, sunshine, disconnect from the world. Lifting weights allows me to focus on my body, how it's feeling and build something. Netball is fun time with my girls. There is so much evidence out there that exercise and good food having amazing abilities to help with depression and stress.

zara1296

Yes!! There is nothing more relaxing then running or throwing a few punches when you’re stressed out!! It’s how I’m getting through college! It makes you feel like everything is manageable

becky10rp

Working out is definitely a way to de-stress. I have a really bad commute - an hour in and an hour home on a 'good' day (a 'bad' day can be double this). First thing when I get home is I change into my workout gear and start my workout (I rotate between strength training, running, elliptical, and bike). More productive and cheaper than seeing a shrink!

Francl27

Sort of. I LOVE walking outside... it's relaxing to me. I'm more stressed and depressed in Winter and Summer for example because it's often too dark/cold/hot to walk.

I walk on my treadmill a lot too but it's more of a 'I want to watch my TV shows, might as well burn calories so I can eat more' mindset... and I'm more relaxed and less stressed the rest of the day once I hit my 10k steps.

Running didn't do much for me except damaging my foot. I love hiking too but not alone and and that's why I got a dog, unfortunately my dog doesn't do well with strangers and other dogs so I'll probably have to find someone else to go hiking with me (turns out that walking said dog obviously isn't as relaxing as walking alone either, haha).

Strength I find dull and boring and just stick to my 30 push ups every other day.

I did a bunch of tv workouts but most were a chore for me. I loved Beachbody's Body Combat but got tired of the same workouts all the time, and I'm too much of an introvert to really enjoy group classes.

I think that it really helps once you find something you like though.

LivingtheLeanDream

There's no question I feel uplifted and invigorated when I do my morning workouts

Happysoul0317

I definitely use it to manage my stress. When I couldn't do physical exercise, due to my back, oh how miserable I was. I had no outlet. I used to box nearly daily. So I took my stress out on my heavy bag, but then I was helpless. Now, I am using my elliptical, which is not my fave, but I can sweat it out and I always feel good after.

rckeeper22

It's absolutely a stress reliever for me. When I'm working out, the only thing I have to focus on is the current rep, taking one more step forward in a run, etc. I'm completely in the 'now'. Nothing outside the gym matters. It's incredibly refreshing; if I'm having a bad day, getting to the gym always puts me in a better mood.

JillianRumrill

YES. I MISS RUNNING! I'm looking forward to hitting the pavement as soon as the weather cooperates.

ninerbuff

Chriswashere86 wrote: »

Does exercise relax you? Is exercise stress management for you? What does it mean to you?

Lol, half my clients box with me. It's their only way to release stress.

A.C.E. Certified Personal and Group Fitness Trainer
IDEA Fitness member
Kickboxing Certified Instructor
Been in fitness for 30 years and have studied kinesiology and nutrition

aokoye

No, not at all actually. Do I generally either enjoy the exercise that I do or feel a sense of accomplishment after the fact? Yes. Is it relaxing or useful to any real degree in relation to my mental health? No.

dutchandkiwi

For me it is essential as stress release. If I really really want to unwind theree is nothing better than a long walk/hike (at least 2 hours) but a run, bike or any exercise are a pre-cursor for stress realease and after a good release session on the couch with something zen like knitting and I can conquer the world no problems

Seffell

Unfortunately my gym is full during the academic year due to a uni in town so exercise is stressful for me because of the environment I perform it in. Also due to 2 long term health issues I have to be constantly vigilant during exercise and I'm feeling usually unwell and in pain after exercise.
All in all not a pleasant experience. If only I liked my body the way it is... but alas I want a fit body.

Tblackdogs

gebeziseva wrote: »

Unfortunately my gym is full during the academic year due to a uni in town so exercise is stressful for me because of the environment I perform it in. Also due to 2 long term health issues I have to be constantly vigilant during exercise and I'm feeling usually unwell and in pain after exercise.
All in all not a pleasant experience. If only I liked my body the way it is... but alas I want a fit body.

Couldn't you switch it up? Maybe give the gym a break and walk outside or exercise at home? Sorry you find it so stressful!

hesn92

No it’s not a stress reliever but I do feel “better” afterwards for some reason. Like, just “cleaner” on the inside or something. Healthier. It’s in my mind I know.

MichelleWithMoxie

yes absolutely. running keeps me sane.

Alidecker

yes, for me...a big yes. One day off of physical activity is fine, usually two is still ok, but if I take 3 days off in a row for some reason, I start noticing a spike in my anxiety level. Even on vacation I find some way to exercise, I never thought I would be one to do that.

MelanieCN77

Absolutely. It won't solve any of your traditional life problems but it sure clears out the cobwebs and gives a chance for a calmer perspective to reign, sometimes. Also, being healthy and fit means one less nagging thing to add to the daily rotation of things to be aggro about.

Need2Exerc1se

Yes, exercise has always been stress management for me. Particularly hiking. My husband told me that once when I went out for an unplanned hike my son asked "Who pissed off mom?" ::laugh::

_mr_b

Yes! In fact if I haven't done some in a week I get a bit crabby.

cwolfman13

lulalacroix

I love activity to help with stress. My favs are running and hiking. The longer the better. Sunday my spouse and I are going on a many hour snowshoeing trek. Cannot wait. Plus the calorie burn is pretty awesome.

brittyn3

Generally, a stress relief - but the more out of shape I am, the less relaxing it is for me. I love lifting when I'm angry. Something about moving heavy things mellows me.

EHollander89

Yes! I love running outside. Being out in nature clears my head. I also love my boxing gym. Best stress relief ever!