When Exercise Becomes a Compulsion |
What Is a Compulsive Behavior?
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Exercise can feel good and still be driven by anxiety or control.
The issue is rigidity, not how often or how hard you exercise.
Short-term relief can reinforce patterns that harm long-term health.
A healthy relationship with movement allows for rest and flexibility.
As a psychotherapist specializing in eating disorders, I often talk about exercise in ways that make people pause. The pushback is real: People tell me they feel better when they work out and point to improved mood, focus, and stress relief as proof that nothing is wrong. That's true, but incomplete.
Movement can genuinely support mental and physical health. A walk, a class, or time in the garden can help someone feel more connected and regulated, which is exactly what makes this conversation so easy to dismiss.
When Feeling Better Becomes a Trap
Compulsive........