
Besides those who are inactive, there are people who are very active, work hard to the point of addiction, but “addiction” to exercise can lead to many problems.
You know that regular exercise has many health benefits. However, doing anything in excess is not good, including exercise. For some reason, you work out so hard that you are “addicted” and wonder if exercise addiction is good? Let’s analyze this problem with easyhealthylive.com.
Features of being “addicted” to exercise
Some characteristics distinguish a healthy exercise routine from over-exercising:
- Instead of helping to improve life, exercise addiction can cause many problems, such as health threats, injury, physical damage due to the body not getting enough rest, in some cases cases (especially if you have an eating disorder) can cause malnutrition…
- Your body overworks and stretches with no time to recover. If stress, anxiety or discomfort may occur.
Need exercise combined with rest
Like other behavioral addictions, this condition is a matter of controversy. Many experts oppose the idea that excessive exercise can cause “addiction” and believe that there must be a psychoactive substance that causes the manifestations of “addiction”.
There are studies that show that exercise can release endorphins and that excessive exercise causes a buildup of hormones and secreted neurotransmitters. But these physiological processes are often not comparable to other addictions.
>>> See more: Gym addiction: Are you one of them?
How is “addiction” to exercise like other addictions?
There are a number of similarities between exercise “addiction” and drug addiction, including effects on mood, tolerance, and the withdrawal process.
Neurotransmitters and the brain’s reward system are both involved in these addictions. For example, dopamine plays an important role in the “reward” system, and excessive, regular exercise has been shown to affect parts of the brain involved in dopamine.
People who are “addicted” to exercise tend to have the same inflexible thinking as other addictions. Additionally, research shows that even people at high risk for the condition need exercise support from family and friends.
Exercise healthy and “addicted” to exercise
Only 8% of exercisers experience symptoms of this disease. Often, people with this condition increase exercise to experience an escapism or “high”-like sensation when exercising for a short period of time. Symptoms of withdrawal begin to appear when they are unable to exercise and will spend time abstinence and control before returning to intense training. 3% of gym goers can’t stop working out.
Both exercise addicts and non-exercise addicts have a lot of reasons to exercise such as health, fitness, weight, body image and to reduce stress. However, healthy exercisers also have other special reasons for enjoying, relaxing and spending time alone.
When there’s a risk of being “addicted” to exercise, difficulty in other areas of your life causes you to exercise to dangerous levels. You have a strong sense that exercise is the most important thing, and you will practice it as a way to express emotions such as anger, anxiety and sadness, and to deal with stress at work and in relationships. relationship.
The crux of this symptom is the control over mood, body, and environment exercise provides. Like other addictions, trying for control eventually leads to a loss of control over your ability to balance exercise with other life priorities.
Get rid of your anger while practicing
What to do if you think you might be “addicted” to exercise
An exercise routine is a great way to manage stress and deal with negative feelings. If your exercise needs go beyond balancing relationships and emotions, then you need more help to detox and have a more healthful approach. Talk to your doctor to find the best way to treat this condition.
Reference source
The Risks of Having an Exercise Addiction https://www.verywellmind.com/what-is-exercise-addiction-22328 Accessed: January 8, 2021

John Alen was born in 1971 and is a doctor in the healthcare and psychology fields with many years of experience. He is currently working at easyhealthylive.com, a leading health and psychology blog. Having studied at Y1 National Medical University named after IM Sechenov, John Alen is using his knowledge and experience to help improve the physical and mental health of people in the United States.