But exercise doesn’t have to become addictive – it’s supposed to help improve physical health and emotional well-being by bringing balance to all aspects of life. Exercise is part of a healthy lifestyle that can benefit both body and mind. It is therefore essential to be careful when embarking on a regular fitness program in order to get the most out of it while maintaining a sense of moderation.
In this article, we’ll explore why you shouldn’t let exercise become an addiction, examining the various reasons why finding a balance in your workout regimen will always be beneficial to achieving your long-term fitness goals.
Scientific evidence has been accumulating for decades as to the existence of a potential addiction to physical exercise.
According to The International Journal of Mental Health and Addiction, a survey of 825 athletes in Norway found that 6.6% of them were clinically addicted to physical activity. This study found that this sort of “exercise addiction” was correlated with higher levels of neuroticism and poorer mental health in general.
A study published in the journal Drug and Alcohol Dependence found that out of 581 college students, 4.5% suffered from exercise addiction. Additionally, research from the University of Utah has found a link between exercise addiction and body image obsessions in teens.
Additionally, data collected by the American Psychological Association (APA) has shown that approximately 3-5% of individuals experience an excessive need to engage in physical activity or fitness training on a regular basis.
Being addicted to physical exercise could lead to psychological disorders.
Even more, another study conducted by the APA found that people with exercise addiction had symptoms similar to those associated with other psychological disorders such as depression, anxiety, and related disorders. to drug addiction.
The University of Oregon conducted a survey of more than 2,000 adults in the United States, which revealed that 27% of them admitted that they could not live without exercising at least once a week or more. This statistic is even higher among the high school athletes who were interviewed as part of their study. 55% of them felt that they could not live without regular physical activity or physical training throughout the week.
Finally, a study published in the journal Psychiatry Research found significant correlations between obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) tendencies and exercise addiction. Due to the feelings of guilt experienced when skipping workouts or missing out on physical activity altogether.
Despite the benefits of sport for our physical and mental health, it should in no way be considered an obligation.
Exercise and sport should always be fun. Striving to achieve physical health and fitness goals is admirable, but any activity that causes more stress than pleasure can indicate an exercise addiction problem. Exercise addiction occurs when a person wants or needs to engage in physical activity despite the negative consequences that may be associated with it.
This type of behavior is often motivated by a decline in well-being or a feeling of worthlessness in other areas of life, which leads the person to rely on exercise to compensate for this lack. Unfortunately, excessive exercise can lead to a further decrease in well-being, creating a vicious cycle that contributes to maintaining addiction.
On the other hand, positive self-expansion may also motivate some people to exercise more excessively than normal.
While it is healthy to seek personal fulfillment through challenging physical activities, an unbalanced focus on these activities may indicate a relationship of exercise and sport addiction. The line between healthy behavior and addiction can be difficult to determine; however, the general feeling associated with the practice of a physical exercise must remain pleasant or at least neutral. If a person feels too much pressure or stress during or after their workout routine, it may indicate an unhealthy addiction to physical activity to cope with their emotions.
It is important to remember not to stress too much when doing physical activity.
Pushing yourself too far could have detrimental effects on mental health and overall quality of life. Exercise should remain something you enjoy doing! Find activities you enjoy instead of forcing yourself to do activities you dislike just because they burn extra calories or give you a good workout!
Take the time to listen to your body and recognize when it’s time to rest or take recovery days so you don’t become physically and emotionally drained from overwork. Everyone has their own definition of pleasure; ultimately, make sure your workouts are enjoyable enough to be worth your precious time!
