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While some of us would rather have dental surgery than go to the gym, others can become addicted to exercise. As a human being, you can form an addiction to nearly anything. There are many psychological and physiological reasons for this, but the most important thing to acknowledge is that even though a great workout is considered to be healthy, it’s important to remember that too much of a good thing often negates its benefits and can be harmful.
Being addicted to exercise isn’t always obvious. Moreover, it doesn’t normally start out that way. That said, over time, it can develop into an exaggerated need and drive to exercise. Since workouts are often viewed as healthy activity – and within a wide spectrum, they absolutely are – it can be easy to miss the signs of having formed an addiction to physical activity.
That said, there is a big difference between being a dedicated athlete and someone who is pushing themselves beyond their healthy limit.
Are you one of them?
There are several ways you can know whether or not you are addicted to exercise. To be able to tell, you will have to pay close attention to yourself and your progress, or lack thereof.
If you find yourself having to work out for longer periods of time to get the same feelings or results, then you might have been pushing yourself too far for too long. Building up a tolerance happens during any addiction, and a dependence on working out is no different.
When you are not at the gym or working out, how do you feel? Yes, exercise can release those mood-enhancing endorphins into your body, but working out too much can cause an addiction, believe it or not. If you find yourself suffering from withdrawals, then chances are you have been bitten by the workout addiction bug. Not to worry, though; there is plenty that you can do to get back on the right track, including taking a day off.
Being addicted to exercise is no laughing matter. Those who consider themselves addicts might work out even when it is not beneficial to their health. Broken bones, sprains, cramps, and other physical issues don’t get in the way of the exercise addict. No, they would rather further the damage by heading to the gym for a workout, anyway. If this sounds like something you would do, you are probably addicted to exercise. Get help.
Do you find yourself zooming off to the gym more so than you do anything else? You are most likely an addict, but that’s all right. Choose one day a week to do something else but make it something that keeps you active. This plan will turn out to be a great alternative to working out while still ensuring that you stay fit and happy.
If you think you are addicted to exercise and cannot manage it on your own, it’s important to get help. Your doctor might be able to assist you themselves or will be able to refer you to other resources to help you to overcome this problem.
Diagnosing this condition isn’t always easy. That said, nothing can happen unless you first recognize the possibility that you are affected by it and reach out to a healthcare professional for assistance. This is not the same type of addiction as is associated by the American Psychiatric Association (APA) with substance abuse. Therefore, treatment options will likely be different. That said, they do exist and are very helpful.
Your healthcare professional might ask you to record a journal of your workout routines and your social activities to help to determine whether you have crossed the line from motivated athlete to someone who is addicted to exercise.
From there, in the majority of cases, you will be offered strategies, advice and support to help to apply self-control to break your current workout habits and keep your physical activity within healthy levels.
This might require you to switch to new kinds of sport or exercise and apply a time limit to their practice. This can help to break out of old habits and adopt new and healthier ones within your control.
If you find yourself having to work out for longer periods of time to get the same feelings or results, then you might have been pushing yourself too far for too long. Building up a tolerance happens during any addiction, and a dependence on working out is no different.
2. You Suffer from Withdrawals
When you are not at the gym or working out, how do you feel? Yes, exercise can release those mood-enhancing endorphins into your body, but working out too much can cause an addiction, believe it or not. If you find yourself suffering from withdrawals, then chances are you have been bitten by the workout addiction bug. Not to worry, though; there is plenty that you can do to get back on the right track, including taking a day off.
3. You Just Can’t Stop
Being addicted to exercise is no laughing matter. Those who consider themselves addicts might work out even when it is not beneficial to their health. Broken bones, sprains, cramps, and other physical issues don’t get in the way of the exercise addict. No, they would rather further the damage by heading to the gym for a workout, anyway. If this sounds like something you would do, you are probably addicted to exercise. Get help.
4. You Go Nonstop
Do you find yourself zooming off to the gym more so than you do anything else? You are most likely an addict, but that’s all right. Choose one day a week to do something else, but make it something that keeps you active. This plan will turn out to be a great alternative to working out while still ensuring that you stay fit and happy.
