The gym (while incredibly beneficial) does not substitute for therapy, even though it can offer therapeutic benefits
Therapy involves unpacking emotions, understanding patterns, and developing tools to navigate life’s challenges.
The gym, on the other hand, can be sometimes be used as a form of avoidance.
It’s a way to channel difficult emotions, i.e. anger, sadness, anxiety, etc into physical exertion, which can feel productive in the moment but doesn’t address the root cause of those emotions.
We don’t always deal with this narrative as the maladaptive behaviours they can sometimes be in this space.
Relying on the gym as “therapy” can be pretty destructive sometimes and affect mental and physical health, as well as relationships
So, how do you know?
Is it a comfortable way of withdrawing?
Compulsive?
An incarnation of self harm?
Does it help you avoid situations?
Is it a controllable when much else is out of control?
For many, the gym becomes a sanctuary of likeminded people.
A place to positively vent, clear your head, and feel a sense of control in an otherwise chaotic world.
While exercise can absolutely offer therapeutic benefits, it’s not therapy.
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