Addiction: Is There Such a Thing as Too Much Exercise?

Reviewed by: Dr. Steven Knauf, D.C.

By Genevieve Cunningham

When we typically think of addiction, our thoughts automatically go to things that are harmful to our bodies. Maybe we think of tobacco. Maybe we think of alcohol. Maybe we think of illegal substances. Whatever you tend to think of, one thing is almost certainly true: Exercise is not a top addiction concern.

But there are actually many types of addiction, and surprisingly, exercise is among them. Can too much of a good thing actually be bad for us? Is it possible that even something as beneficial as exercise can be addictive? The answer may surprise you.

What Is Exercise Addiction?

Exercise addiction is exactly what it sounds like. It's an addiction to working out. Because there isn't a chemical or substance to cause physical dependence, exercise addiction falls underneath the umbrella of behavioral addiction.

Those who suffer from exercise addiction may find themselves engaging compulsively in physical activity or obsessing over burning calories. It’s often linked to eating disorders, though that part is not necessary to have an exercise addiction. Although it's not the most common addiction, it can affect anyone of any age or background, severely affecting habits and health.

What Are Common Signs of Exercise Addiction?

Because we're taught that exercise is a good thing (and it is most of the time), we may not recognize the signs of a growing addiction to exercise. Some of the most common symptoms of exercise addiction may include the following.

• Feeling guilt or anxiousness - If the thought of missing a workout fills you with dread, you may be headed toward addiction.
• Lack of balance in life - Exercise should complement your life, not take it over. If you exercise at the expense of everything else, you may need a healthy balance.
• Exercising even when you’re sick - When you're suffering from illness, you should be resting. Those who are addicted to exercise may find the compulsion to exercise too much, leading to working out when ill and compromising health.
• Losing a love for exercise - Once exercise becomes a compulsion, you may find the joy sucked out of it. This can lead to burnout and a decline in mental health.
• Increased injury - Too much exercise can be hard on the body. If you notice that your body never seems to completely heal from soreness or injury, you might be doing too much.

How Does Addiction Differ From a Healthy Exercise Routine?

If this leaves you wondering about the difference between a healthy exercise routine and an addiction, you're not alone. Exercise addiction can be confusing. What's the difference?

• Healthy exercise is consistent, while addiction is obsessive.
• Healthy exercise leaves room for rest, while addiction works through rest days, busy days, and even illness.
• Healthy exercise keeps workouts as a part of life, while addiction centers life around hitting the gym.
• Healthy exercise makes time for other activities, while addiction takes over your schedule.

The bottom line is that healthy exercise is balanced with life. It keeps us working toward better health, but it keeps space for error, sickness, family and friends, lazy days, and life in general. Excessive exercising causes grief and anxiety when we miss a day. It has us saying no to activities and events if it interferes with gym time. It has us obsessing over getting the right amount of time in the gym to help us keep the right physique.

Healthy exercise benefits our lives. Addiction makes normal life more difficult.

What Are the Potential Health Risks of Overexercising?

Every addiction has consequences. It may seem like an addiction to exercise could only bring benefits. What harm could possibly come from too much exercise? Although it certainly brings less risk than most other forms of addiction, there are risks associated with overexercising.

• Risk of Injury - Although the right amount of exercise lowers our risk of injury, too much can have the opposite effect, making us more vulnerable to injury. Stress fractures and sprains are just two injuries that often see a rise due to overuse.
• Fatigue - Our bodies can only take so much. Too much exercise may cause extreme fatigue at all times of the day.
• Extreme weight loss - A moderate amount of weight loss is good. Too much exercise may lead to too much weight loss, which can be hard on our bodies and, and worse for our health
• Trouble sleeping - Whether it’s insomnia or too much sleeping, an extreme amount of exercise can hinder our body’s ability to get the right amount of sleep.
• Relationship problems - If you’re choosing exercise over everything else, it may cause problems in your relationships, which may then contribute to a decline in mental health.
• Mood swings - Feeling moody? Some exercise may help, but too much may make the problem worse.
• Increased heart rate - When exercise is too much, it may actually damage the heart and create an increased heart rate at rest.

Why Is Rest Important in the Exercise Process?

Exercise programs aren’t complete without rest. Rest is actually where the magic happens. Exercise releases stress hormones. It releases endorphins too, also known as the happy chemical, but we need rest days so that our body can deal with the cortisol dump. We also need rest for muscle growth and repair, recuperation of mind and energy, and for our bodies to stay strong. Without rest, we’re much more prone to overuse injury. If you can’t bring yourself to have a rest day in your exercise routine, you very well may have a problem.

How to Beat Exercise Addiction

Like any other addiction, the best way to beat exercise addiction is with professional help. Because this is a behavioral addiction, seeking care from a mental health professional may be a good idea. You can also help yourself by getting a proper workout plan created by a fitness professional. And, of course, your general practitioner may be able to give you tips for healthy eating, adequate exercise, and finding balance in life.

You don’t have to suffer. Exercise is good, but too much can cause harm to your social life, your mental health, and your physical well-being. If you’re addicted, stopping exercise may seem impossible, but luckily, you don’t have to stop. You just have to find balance. Addiction can affect anyone, so don’t be ashamed. Get help, find balance, and you may find your best health and your best and happiest life moving forward.

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