Could I be Exercising Too Much? Pitfalls of Exercise Addiction and How to Overcome Them.

As societal interest in health and quality of life grows, more people are falling into the trap of exercise addiction. If the thought of going to the gym every day or feeling anxious and irritable when missing a workout is familiar, you might be dealing with exercise addiction.

 

Exercise addiction can be treated through counseling and cognitive-behavioral therapy by mental health professionals.

 

Exercise addiction involves an excessive obsession with exercise, going beyond one's physical limits, or becoming excessively engrossed in physical activity to the point where it interferes with daily life. The release of a chemical substance called "beta-endorphin" in the brain during exercise can contribute to this addiction. Beta-endorphin has a powerful pain-relieving effect, creating a euphoria similar to that induced by narcotics. Even when physically exhausted, individuals addicted to exercise continue because of the continued release of beta-endorphins. Eventually, they become compulsive exercisers, unable to quit. According to a British medical journal, about one in ten people who exercise vigorously experiences exercise addiction.

 

Exercise addiction has several characteristics, including making exercise a dominant daily activity, feeling anxious or irritable when unable to exercise, persisting with exercise despite severe pain, requiring more exercise than usual, feeling guilty when not exercising, and experiencing problems in daily life and interpersonal relationships due to exercise.

 

Exercise addiction can lead to serious health issues such as early-onset degenerative joint disease. Excessive exercise damages cartilage, and repetitive activities like squats, if done excessively or with improper form, can shock the knee joints. Ignoring such damage and continuing to exercise may result in degenerative joint disease at a young age. Continuous pressure on muscles and joints can also lead to injuries such as stress fractures in bones. Additionally, exercise addicts tend to consume excessive protein for muscle formation, risking the generation of ammonia in the kidneys, which can lead to kidney dysfunction and increase the risk of disease.

 

Exercise addiction can be treated through counseling and cognitive-behavioral therapy by mental health professionals. If individuals recognize symptoms of exercise addiction, seeking advice from a suitable professional can help find effective control measures. Generally, it is advisable to regulate exercise by setting appropriate exercise times, such as one hour per day, rather than quitting exercise altogether. Preventing exercise addiction involves periodically assessing whether the current exercise routine is suitable, whether the intensity is appropriate, and if excessive exercise is placing strain on the body. Regular self-assessment is crucial to prevent exercise addiction.