I know I know, it feels damn good tho! Those endorphins are flowing post workout and it can really set the tone for a great day.

I can’t talk about the mental health benefits of working out enough. If you’re struggling with anxiety developing a solid fitness routine is a huge help.

But hear me out, exercise is not your stress relief, it is technically a stressor itself.

During your workout stress hormones are present, (which is fine, this is what we want) so this stressor, like any, will require RECOVERY.

What’s my point?

Exercise should not be the only thing you’re doing to relieve stress, because it’s NOT a stress management practice.

Exercise is also something that REQUIRES recovery! In the form of enough fuel (food!) and sleep.

If you’re leaving your high powered high stress job and heading right to your favorite high intensity group class, oh and you’re eating far less then you need to fuel all this, then you are literally dumping stress on stress on stress.

Hello elevated cortisol levels!

This leaves no room for positive adaptation (aka less body fat and more muscle) and all the room for nagging injures, always being sick, and low energy.

👉🏻Where is your recovery?
👉🏻Where is your actual stress relief?
👉🏻What are you doing to bank those minutes in the parasympathetic (rest and digest) nervous system?

Don’t misunderstand the message, exercise is amazing and you should work to build a solid foundation where you actually WANT to workout because you love it.

But there’s no arguing with the fact that it is a form of stress, so beating yourself into the ground when your anxiety is raging, the world is on fire, and your job is hanging by a thread maybe isn’t the best idea.🤷🏻‍♀️

Exercise is a stressor that will produce amazing results WHEN we also prioritize sleep, food, and other stress management practices!