From runner's high, to sweat-infused euphoria, to all the amazing feel-good endorphins that exercising can bring, once you get bitten by the workout bug, it can do amazing things for the stress we all feel in our day-to-day lives. But what if you literally start dreading going to your favorite workout class, and you're no longer basking in that post-workout glow that everyone knows and loves? After a few sh*tty workouts, you might start to wonder: Why does exercise stress me out? Isn't it supposed to do the exact opposite?
It's strange because an increased heart rate, profuse sweating, and faster breathing are all indicative of, well, TBH, a full-blown panic attack. But these are also all the things that make a good ol' sweat sesh awesome, and they actually help to relieve stress in most situations. According to Livestrong, just one gym session can help to soothe symptoms of anxiety. However, there are a few factors that can lead your sacred time in the #TempleOfGains to have adverse effects on your racing mind and knotted up shoulders. Here are five little things in your workout routine that may be making your time at the gym more stressful than it needs to be.
Even if you're obsessed with high-intensity exercises, mixing it up with some gentle walking or restorative yoga will keep stress at bay.
Pushing yourself to do HIIT all the time, for example, can put your body in a fight-or-flight mode, which makes cortisol rise much higher than it should. Watching those cortisol levels will help keep you cool, calm, and collected so you don't dread your next sweat sesh.
Repeat after me: Carbohydrates are literally your best friend.
Cutting carbs will majorly screw with your hormones, and the imbalances going on in your body will make you feel like a walking stress ball.
Incorporate whole grains like brown rice, quinoa, and sweet potatoes into your pre and post-workout snacks to fuel your body and keep stress at bay.
Yes, some days, a nice long walk or a soothing yoga practice is just what your body needs. But squeezing in a HIIT workout here and there can do wonders for your stress levels and chatter-infused mind. According to Livestrong, high-intensity exercise helps stave off feelings of anxiety more than low-intensity workouts.
However, if you still absolutely hate that type of workout after trying it out, don't do it! For real, when your workout routine makes you feel stressed out, it's often because you simply don't enjoy what you're doing. Finding ways to move your body that you absolutely love will be the prime way to take your stress levels way down. So don't be afraid to experiment and find what makes you feel like a million bucks.