Exercise Addiction
When you see someone who looks really fit at the gym, the last thing you are likely to consider is that they may be engaged in addictive behavior right in front of your eyes. It’s hard to think of things like running on a treadmill or lifting weights as unhealthy, but this is exactly what it can become. Known as compulsive exercise, exercise bulimia, or anorexia athletica, addiction to exercise without the healthy rhythm of rest is a growing problem among young adults and teens (Muir Wood, 2017). There’s a negative stigma associated with certain addictions (like drugs, overeating, or smoking) but with exercise, it tends to be the opposite. People who push themselves hard or work out every day are often admired, even if their habits are obsessive or unrealistic..
There was a time when my mother worked as a trainer at one of our local YMCA branches. I’ll never forget how she described seeing certain people there every day for hours or how adults would bring in sick children and try to “sneak” them into the childcare center so they didn’t have to miss their own daily work out. Exercising, like anything else, can become unhealthy if not balanced with rest, and what starts as a good habit can sometimes spiral into something that controls you.
Strenuous exercise releases endorphins in the body and creates the “runner’s high.” The production of dopamine, a chemical that gives us feelings of pleasure and happiness, can also be increased with exercise. These are both reasons that exercise can become addictive. There’s also the tendency to become absorbed with feelings of confidence or accomplishment that can come with watching your body grow stronger or leaner. It’s never a bad thing to take care of your body or feel good about your body, you just want to make sure it comes from a healthy place. If your love for your body is limited to only when it’s in peak condition, what will happen if you sustain an injury or are unable to work out for a season of life? Self love shouldn’t depend on working out, but too often it does. And this addiction can lead to multiple problems including heart issues, electrolyte imbalance, depression, and dehydration (Muir Wood, 2017).
So how can you tell if you’re exercising too much? One of the signs is that you prioritize exercise to the exclusion of other activities or involvement. Depression or anger that sets in when something gets in the way of exercise is another sign. And if you’re physically showing symptoms of exhaustion, hair loss, sleep disturbance, or dehydration, those also may be signs that you need to reign it in a bit when it comes to pushing yourself physically (Muir Wood, 2017).
According to the physical activity guidelines for Americans, children and teens are recommended to get at least 60 minutes of exercise on most days. Someone who has an addiction to exercise will likely pursue intense levels of activity even if they’ve already played a sport that day or spent time at the gym (Muir Wood, 2017). If you think you may be dealing with an addiction to exercise, please talk to someone about it today!
Reference: Teen exercise addiction. (2017). Muir Wood Trusted Teen Treatment. Retrieved from https://muirwoodteen.com/treatment-topics/teen-health/teen-exercise-addiction/.
Challenges/Points:
Addiction to exercise is a real problem and is identified by an unhealthy relationship with the amount of physical activity engaged in on a daily basis.
Teens who develop compulsive exercise may not realize what is happening to them as exercise tends to always be thought of as a positive thing.
If you exercise even when you don’t feel like it or feel like you can’t stop, you may be dealing with an addiction.
Questions:
How many times a week do you engage in intense physical activity?
What feels like a healthy amount of exercise for you?
Do you have any friends who seem to exercise obsessively?
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