Exercise as stress management

spiriteagle99

I started hiking as a way of dealing with extreme stress at home. Eventually I learned to love it for its own sake, but initially it was simply a way of keeping me from committing suicide or murder. After a couple of hours of walking, I could handle what was happening.

Now, years later, I find that hard exercise is still a way of keeping depression and anxiety at bay. I notice a big difference on my rest days vs. my running days, though I usually do some exercise even on rest days. Spending time in nature is part of it, but there are also the endorphins that get released when I work hard.

orangegato

Another vote for hiking here! I can actually turn my brain off and all I think about is Where am I going to place my foot down next?
Can't turn my brain off when running for some reason.

Brant904

Chriswashere86 wrote: »

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

Yes! Especially on days when I have to do long runs for my training - the gym just gives me time to just focus. Luckily I go at a time when not a lot of people are that is also a benefit.

estherdragonbat

Stress reliever, mood improver, boredom fixer!

lorrpb

^^Agree with this^^
All gyms ebb and flow in busy-Ness. Can you find a less used time or smaller class that you would enjoy ? Consider various at-home workout options, you can browse the fitness forum here on MFP. As you browse threads, you will find that lots of people here have chronic conditions that require modification and pacing, so you will find there are many options

Timshel_

In short, I have used exercise and eating to help balance and manage my chronic fatigue/anxiety/and clinical depression. Yes it works for me to manage and I have very large bouts of it all when I don't. All that relates to my stress levels.

Calliope610

Definitely!! Walks, hikes, cycling are vital to not only my physical health, but my mental well being too.

Seffell

Tblackdogs wrote: »

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!

Thank you.
I would've if I could. That's the only big gym in town. I've only seen one other which had 5-6 machines, no floor space and was in a low cieling basement with no windows and no shower. No kidding.

Walking won't make my bum hard. I do walk but just to burn calories to eat more.

I've settled up with it. The pain is another issue though. I wasn't complaining really, just sharing my experience on the topic.

MiaWallace2018

For me, exercise is fun. It makes me feel like a kid again. I also enjoy the challenge of pushing myself farther and faster, heavier. It's also social for me - I love the ladies I work out with, and also the cyclists in my bike club. I love running and cycling outdoors, as much in the woods or farm fields as I can. I use the gym in cold/dark weather and enjoy that, too - there are endless ways to challenge myself, be it classes, swimming, and boot camp. It energizes me and makes me feel great for hours - maybe even days. I also enjoy food, and exercise permits me to eat a bit more freely. I like to sign up for races - not to win or even do well compared to everyone else - but just as a goal for me to reach for, something to build towards.

HoneyBadger302

Stress relief? Not really for me.

I enjoy it, I feel better, stronger, etc when I'm working out regularly, but I don't find it having too much affect on my mental happiness or overall stress/worry.

For me, I get that from being on two wheels. Something about riding that forces me into the here and now, and outside of my own head that keeps me sane.

The last time I started to feel depressed, as soon as I was back on a bike - boom. Gone.

BNY721

Absolutely stress-management for me. If I am having a bad day..I can get out my frustrations as I lift. It’s the one part of my day that is just for me..and it is necessary for my mental health and overall well-being.

Cbean08

Yes! Heavy deadlifts and running make me feel so much better. In high school, my parents would send me to the gym if they thought I was getting too anxious or worked up. The habit has stuck for the past 8 years.

Psychgrrl

Absolutely! Yoga and interval training during the week, walk breaks during the work day, more yoga and weights on the weekend.

It helps me survive.

bbell1985

Lifting is like....my life. It makes me happy. But I'm very anal about programming so sometimes it is stressful.


Soo...I didn't really answer that well.

AnvilHead

Big time stress reliever for me. I love lifting and running, and I feel like a kid again when I ride my mountain bike. It's my "me" time and even when I'm having a bad workout or my run feels like I'm slogging uphill through mud, I enjoy every minute of it and feel even better afterward.

DohnutHead

It does relax me especially anything that I do outdoors. It's a big part of my week, I'm sorry I didn't discover it sooner.

Karen_can_do_this

Lifting weights especially the heavier side of things is a brilliant way for me to de stress. Some of my best pb’s were after a really bad day at work. I go to the gym before work. My workmates can tell by how stressed I get throughout the day if I’ve been or not lol.
I take my anger out on the weights but I also use them to make me feel strong and invigorated. My shrink now uses me as an example of why her patients should exercise.

gymprincess1234

It is. I work out in the evening to be able to fall asleep right after and not keep thinking about everything staring at the ceiling. Endorphins make me happier and it's easier to put stressful things in perspective. Releasing negative energy is great too. Stress management is not the nr 1 reason for exercise for me, but it definitely helps.

samthepanda

Throwing things around in the gym definately helps with my stress. When I am low and anxious one of my triggers can be going into the gym, so it's hard getting the balance but I nearly always feel better for going. I have got quite emotional sometimes while working out - I need a environment where I can feel safe to do that, not judged and I have that at the moment. People might think I'm a bit weird but the trainers understand. I also have a running buddy and we try and run twice a week, we talk about nothing special but it gives me a space when I'm not thinking about the kids, work etc. I love to walk and bike in the sunshine and I try and make time when I can, even if it's just and extra 10 minute walk round the lake after school drop off.

amyf2000

Yes yes yes yes yes yes yes. Yes. I didn't really discover the extent of how true this could be until I started figure skating six years ago. Skating is difficult and interesting enough that when I'm skating I think about ABSOLUTELY NOTHING ELSE the entire time I'm doing it. So it is like wiping the slate clean and starting my whole day over. I do not have this experience with anything else really and it has become such a crucial part of my mental health routine that when our ice arena shut down for four months last summer for major renovations it was terribly hard on me. I've tried cycling and aerobics and running and nothing works for me like skating. I'm not even very good at skating - I do it because of the magic it works in my brain. I urge everyone to find the sport that makes that magic for them and build your routine around it. It could be skiing, surfing, curling, squash. I was never an athlete before and now at 41 I'm the strongest and most flexible I've ever been - and the happiest.

CaffeinatedConfectionist

100%, for me. Exercise does wonders for my mental health, not only because of the actual physiological effects of working out and being outdoors, but also because of the increase in self-esteem and self-confidence that I feel when I am the best version of myself.

dutchandkiwi

Found this one back again.
Last week was a big freeze week where the wind chill took us down to -20C Too cold for me to cycle to work and most certainly too cold to run (in the evenings it dropped even further) I had a stressful week. This morning I was moody as and talked some of the issues over with my husband which helped. But really I need stress relief!
All of a sudden today the weather was beyond nice. The wind had shifted and spring decided to put it's best foot forward. My husband and I decided it was running time and we both went. It was soo utterly nice and good to be in the sunshine, to see all city nature running out of their hiding places and to run.
By the time I had gotten to 3km I could feel tensions reducing, by 5km I just felt happy and free. I ran 7 km and I am in a great mood, plus all of a sudden I see a way forward out of the work issues.
Exercise a stress reliever.You bet ya!

LizPalen412

Walking outside in nature helps me tremendously. It helped me get off anti anxiety medicine and I actually feel much better just doing my walking than I ever did on the medication.

Edited to fix a typo

ninjamere1

Hiking is a major stress reliever for me. I had a bad fall last year on an easy trail and it took months to recover. I am so ready to get back to it. I gained a little and my strength is down but I have a goal to do at least a small easy trail (2 or 3 miles) before end of month. I do other stuff too (light lifting) but hiking is what really works for me both physically and emotionally.

phoebe1975

Yes! Absolutely- my oldest son believes climbing played a large role in treating his anxiety...which sounds crazy because it seems like such a stressful activity to me. He also free solo climbs sometimes, so maybe he just likes the adrenaline rush lol- I tell him he is just transferring his stress to me when he free climbs lol

WilmaValley

Cardio really helps me destress!!!

kshama2001

gebeziseva wrote: »

Tblackdogs wrote: »

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!

Thank you.
I would've if I could. That's the only big gym in town. I've only seen one other which had 5-6 machines, no floor space and was in a low cieling basement with no windows and no shower. No kidding.

Walking won't make my bum hard. I do walk but just to burn calories to eat more.

I've settled up with it. The pain is another issue though. I wasn't complaining really, just sharing my experience on the topic.

After I moved, I wasn't happy with any of the gyms at my new town and have been doing this at home: https://www.amazon.com/RBG-Workout-How-Stays-Strong-ebook/dp/B0714M94MN/ref=sr_1_1

The amount of space and equipment needed for doing this at home is quite minimal. It recommends exercise bands, a yoga ball, and a door stopper. I already had one band and my neighbor gave me a longer one (needed 6' for some of the exercises), and I use a chair and my feet instead of the ball and stopper. I also already had some dumbbells and DIY dumbbells.

I feel challenged by this workout, and am quite impressed with octogenarian RBG for doing it twice per week, and being able to do two sets of 10 standard pushups, which is a lot more than I can do. (The book includes easier alternatives.)

thelettermegan

I do a very social crossfit-like boot camp twice a week. I love the way my body feels after a workout and a good breakfast. I'm alert and yet relaxed. It's very zen. I think it's easier for me to do the traditional calisthenics and get my heart pumping than straight cardio, and doing it with a group of inclusive people is very encouraging.

As for my mental state, I think there was a time when Keith on Tuesday mornings was basically getting me through the week . . .

Arielnesika

100%. Outdoor exercise like hill walking and hiking is my primary stress reducer. I call it rage hiking... I'm in it for the endorphins.