Exercise And Anxiety

[Ellabella44]

since i stopped drinking ive been using " running away from home" as i call it to go walk off till my legs hurt (which keeps me from wanting to bruise myself, the pain calms the urge) and just totally zone out in my head. its going to snow soon here and im concearned about when i wont be able to get out of the house to get away. anything that helps with this?

 

[desiderata310]

A bike on a bike trainer and 'sufferfest videos'

 

[Chava]

I say don't let snow stop you (but I grew up in Canada). Winter walks are refreshing, provided you bundle up right (cover ears, everything to prevent frostbite at lower temps). Smartwool socks are amazing. Good boots. And layers. But I do have a cheap-o indoor stepper machine and a rowing machine that feels really good to use...or you can use a couple blocks of something and make your own step. Workout DVDs or youtube. But getting outdoors feels really great, so maybe keeping that up unless it's brutal. Also, any indoor activities that help you "get away"? Reading, artwork, knitting, funny movies? But I get that exercise is important and helps simmer down intense feelings.

 

[Nam]

I'm with Chava. Bundle up and walk outside. The other kind of exercise that I enjoy is swimming. It has a rhythm that is soothing but that requires more interaction with your environment and people.

 

[afuneralinmybrain]

Well, I'm agoraphobic, so I'd like to go walking, period, but can't...
Why do you feel like you can't walk in the snow? I love, or used to love, walking in the snow. Just double up on the socks and wear some snow boots and warm clothing.

 

[Ellabella44]

i have severe asthma so outside not a good idea if id like to breathe lol, im enjoying going to the mall and putting in earbuds and just automatically walking in my own "bubble" but if it gets bad outside enough to not be able to drive there for some reason , looking for alternatives

 

[Karen12]

Yaktrax? (Those metal things you put on the soles of your shoes.)

 

[risingsun]

I can empathize with your urges. I agree that you can find some pretty good exercise videos on you tube or maybe even get a yoga mat and a dvd/you tube yoga program to guide you along.In this respect, you can engage in indoor activity. However, outdoor, brisk walking in the snow can be refreshing. Maybe the cold will even detract you from the urges.

walk off till my legs hurt

But use the exercise to help you move away from the urges. If you use it to induce further pain (i.e. extreme fatigue), then you are still self harming in a way. I would build yourself up rather than tire yourself out. Build up your emotional and physical strength and the urges will subside. Good Luck to you. Warmest, Rising sun

 

[Seagreen]

Boxing bag?

 

[Ellabella44]

its my lungs that will close up. i am reactive to cold .. otherwise id go , really. Id like to be able to walk in the snow, but my lungs its like i feel ice building up in them and its painful to breathe then i breathe less, end up coughing... yeah im trying to not do that even if it does emotionally make me feel better

 

[Ellabella44]

yeah sometimes i do use it to induce the pain, keeps me from harming in other ways... but its gotten that even feeling mildly like ive walked too far.... maybe 3 trips around the mall here upstairs and downstairs and starting to sweat a bit seems to help, its not like it has to hurt alot more like before, and walking is usually an automatic thing for me. had thought i was just trading a not so bad way of doing it, but its getting better.