Tag: Red

We know exercise is good for the body, but what about the mind? Generally, the answer is an absolute yes. However, there are times when the goals we set for ourselves can turn sour if exercise takes over other aspects of our lives. It should be one of many tools to help us stay healthy, feel stronger or have fun.

When you think about the gym, it’s often through the lens of how you view your body because of societal pressures. But your relationship with fitness is much deeper than that. It’s important to explore your habits and rituals with exercise, and watch out for signs that they’ve become more harmful than helpful. 

How exercise affects physical and mental health

Physical movement is a crucial part of wellness, no matter what form it takes. The last thing we want to do is convince you otherwise. By integrating exercise into your lifestyle, you can lower your risk of developing health issues like heart attacks, high blood pressure, chronic inflammation and Type 2 diabetes. 

Beyond your body, exercise can have positive impacts on your mental health, too. You can use exercise and workouts to manage everyday stressors and navigate emotions. 

“Exercise decreases anxiety, increases optimism and leads to an improved quality of life,” says L. Kevin Chapman, a licensed clinical psychologist. “For significant emotional symptoms, exercise is a useful addition to therapy, not a useful replacement. For general stress, exercise is terrific.” 

There are many ways that exercise helps your mental health:

However, working out isn’t the only tool you should use to improve your mental health. 

Signs your gym habit might be unhealthy

In some cases, there’s a limit to what a healthy relationship with the gym can look like. A dependence on the gym as a coping mechanism can negatively impact your mental health.

“Exercise can also be a form of emotional avoidance if done in excess,” says Chapman. “In other words, if I use exercise or any other ‘prosocial’ behavior to avoid the experience of anxiety, this could reinforce the idea that anxiety is dangerous and the only way I can manage anxiety is through exercise.” 

Sometimes, it’s hard to spot. And it can even happen without you even noticing. Here are a few warning signs that your relationship with exercise might be harmful.

1. You never take breaks

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