Does anyone else exercise for stress relief?

sweetteadrinker2
sweetteadrinker2 Posts: 1,026 Member
edited November 15 in Fitness and Exercise
I'm going through some major life stress right now, and I've probably quadrupled my walking/jogging as it's the only thing that helps. Does anyone else do this in times of stress? Have you found anything that really reduces stress, like a certain pace or weightlifting? Or is it only cardio that works for you?
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Replies

  • aubreyjordan
    aubreyjordan Posts: 276 Member
    I have found that when I'm mad or stressed about something, I tend to work harder at my cardio. Exercise isn't my go-to however and I'm trying to change that. Of all the things you could be using as stress relief, I think walking/jogging is an excellent choice :)
  • arditarose
    arditarose Posts: 15,573 Member
    Sure. I like a good dead lifting session for stress. Cardio-meh. I hate it so I can't really say, but I do usually feel better after doing some if I've been sad or stressed.
  • FitPhillygirl
    FitPhillygirl Posts: 7,124 Member
    edited April 2015
    I exercise everyday and while I'm not doing it specifically to relieve stress, it is definitely one of the added benefits to doing so. I would have to say that doing HIIT type workouts is better for relieving stress on days when I've had a very hectic day at work.
  • ogmomma2012
    ogmomma2012 Posts: 1,520 Member
    I exercise to stop panic attacks in their tracks. Usually works... usually.
  • 999tigger
    999tigger Posts: 5,235 Member
    Cardiosuits me better for stress relief, but exercise in general is good. I can focus and be quite aggressive with the pace. It kind of takes a lot out of you and you don't have the energy left.
  • LovelyIvy466
    LovelyIvy466 Posts: 387 Member
    Cardio is like a lifeline for me right now. I lift and do a lot of yoga, which I adore, but nothing touches cardio, as its hugely beneficial for elevating my moods. That said, it doesn't always work. In the past when I was suffering from major stress and anxiety cardio did help me cope, but it really couldn't help. The only thing that helped was eliminating what was causing my stress.
  • LeaMacdhai
    LeaMacdhai Posts: 2 Member
    Oh, yes. I am anxious by nature and exercising helps.
  • TheKidd2013
    TheKidd2013 Posts: 60 Member
    walking is my go to but when Im super stress I weight lift more than normal as well and double up my work outs
  • karen_fitzgibbon
    karen_fitzgibbon Posts: 736 Member
    If I've had a bad shift at work, I'll smash myself at the gym. If I'm angry I run. Hard. There is nothing more relaxing than a good long run
  • Smallc10
    Smallc10 Posts: 615 Member
    Yoga is my favorite when I'm really stressed. Weight lifting helps reduce my overall stress amount and I know that days I don't lift I'm a bit more grumpy.
  • fit4lifemom
    fit4lifemom Posts: 47 Member
    high intensity cardio usually works for me. I wish I could use exercise more as my main stress relief. Sadly, sometimes it is still chocolate. Exercise makes me feel so much better for longer.
  • DaFibble
    DaFibble Posts: 152 Member
    edited April 2015
    I find exercise of pretty much any variety does a great deal to ease the burden of stress on the mind and body. From what I've read cardio is typically the most effective for most people but any exercise has an impact. Deep relaxation exercises can be an enormous help, too, if you add can them into the mix. However, exercise should take priority. I'm speaking as an experienced meditation enthusiast there!
  • Willbenchforcupcakes
    Willbenchforcupcakes Posts: 4,955 Member
    Nothing does as much as lifting does for me. Trying to use cardio for me just leaves me feeling empty and drained. But when I'm having a bad day, the absolute focus on form that lifting gives me has me leaving the gym with a massive weight off my shoulders
  • darcie_dierlam
    darcie_dierlam Posts: 1
    sweetteadrinker2 wrote: »
    I'm going through some major life stress right now, and I've probably quadrupled my walking/jogging as it's the only thing that helps. Does anyone else do this in times of stress? Have you found anything that really reduces stress, like a certain pace or weightlifting? Or is it only cardio that works for you?

    Lift weights, man, yoga, cardio
  • 11ivan11
    11ivan11 Posts: 215 Member
    Most definitely .....soccer , running, and swimming are my stress relievers. ...
  • kristinegift
    kristinegift Posts: 2,406 Member
    edited April 2015
    Definitely. A major stressor/frustration seems so much less significant after a good run. I also find that running at least 20 mpw (I average 30-40 while training) keeps me in a good place mood-wise. When I'm not running much (or at all) I get very grumpy and ragey.
  • Lofteren
    Lofteren Posts: 960 Member
    Weight lifting, conditioning, muay thai and bjj are my methods of training. They do help to relieve stress but sex is much more effective IMO
  • beachhouse758
    beachhouse758 Posts: 371 Member
    And I quote:
    "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't."
  • LauraHasABabyJack
    LauraHasABabyJack Posts: 629 Member
    I love a good trail run to de-stress. It wears me out in a pleasant way while letting me focus on nature, something that has always been personally (and, luckily, professionally) satisfying.
  • hstull82
    hstull82 Posts: 116 Member
    Yes!!!! Working out is my stress relief! It does wonders!
  • DaneanP
    DaneanP Posts: 433 Member
    I also use exercise to manage anxiety and mild depression. Works better than any pharmaceutical and even the literature bears this out. *That said, treatment for anxiety and depression should always be discussed with your physician.*
  • sweetteadrinker2
    sweetteadrinker2 Posts: 1,026 Member
    beachhouse758 wrote: »
    And I quote:
    "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't."

    I like it
  • LITtlerMeCO
    LITtlerMeCO Posts: 130 Member
    beachhouse758 wrote: »
    And I quote:
    "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't."

    I've had two major deaths in 51 weeks. I currently spend anywhere from six to 10 hours a week at the gym. I've cried in yoga, I've cried on a bike, I have yet to cry in power lifting but I'm sure it will happen. It gets me in pants on the weekend when all I want to do is sit around the house in my pajamas, staring at the TV, and finishing off that bag of chips. Right now it's the best place for me to work out some feelings and I'm grateful for it. I totally agree that the endorphins have been helping and it has at least saved some relationships (and possibly lives).
  • tomatoey
    tomatoey Posts: 5,446 Member
    Definitely use it for stress relief and mood management, yup. Cardio more than anything - doesn't matter what mood i'm in when i start, it's always improved by the end.

    For any kind of resistance or bodyweight stuff, i prefer to be in a positive or neutral frame of mind to start out with, and also to be more mentally present and have some minimal amount of energy. because it takes more concentration. i try hard to attend to form.

    Swimming is really great for relaxation, i find. i like evening swims (can't do them right now, but looking forward to going back to that). only thing with that is the annoyance of dealing with chlorine/changing etc.
  • LovelyIvy466
    LovelyIvy466 Posts: 387 Member
    LITtlerMeCO wrote: »
    beachhouse758 wrote: »
    And I quote:
    "Exercise gives you endorphins. Endorphins make you happy. Happy people just don't shoot their husbands, they just don't."

    I've had two major deaths in 51 weeks. I currently spend anywhere from six to 10 hours a week at the gym. I've cried in yoga, I've cried on a bike, I have yet to cry in power lifting but I'm sure it will happen. It gets me in pants on the weekend when all I want to do is sit around the house in my pajamas, staring at the TV, and finishing off that bag of chips. Right now it's the best place for me to work out some feelings and I'm grateful for it. I totally agree that the endorphins have been helping and it has at least saved some relationships (and possibly lives).

    About a year ago I lost a parent, a job and my health in quite short order. Yoga kept me sane- I totally feel you on this whole post.
  • MargaretSobers
    MargaretSobers Posts: 167 Member
    Yeah, I am. Actually I get pimple on my face whenever I take too much stress and exercise is the only thing that keeps me healthy and cheerful.
  • heathbilly
    heathbilly Posts: 249 Member
    EVERY DAY
  • ninerbuff
    ninerbuff Posts: 49,024 Member
    sweetteadrinker2 wrote: »
    I'm going through some major life stress right now, and I've probably quadrupled my walking/jogging as it's the only thing that helps. Does anyone else do this in times of stress? Have you found anything that really reduces stress, like a certain pace or weightlifting? Or is it only cardio that works for you?
    My kickboxing class at my gym is frequented by people who are in high stress positions. Something about being able to hit a bag as hard as you want that makes the difference for them.
    You may find that people who are regular exercisers have less stress levels than many of their peers that don't and so they don't "see" stress the same way. I'm hardly EVER stressed out and am much more enthusiastic/optimistic on a daily basis than others that have jobs that are long on the clock.

    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
    9285851.png
  • dgva888
    dgva888 Posts: 4
    Yup same here, but sometimes it's not enough.
  • nossmf
    nossmf Posts: 12,057 Member
    Hitting the weights is far better than hitting another human.
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