I really do find joy in working out , but does anyone ever get panicky while working out ? For example, maybe you’re not going any HIIT workouts but , some form of cardio or maybe strength training ....and obviously you’re going to get all revved up , but then as you do so ...palpitations...like the heart racing , I mean ...that kind. Anyways, you feel that and what do you do in that moment?
For me, sometimes I’ll go to another room in my house...turn on the fan and do deep breathing once calm enough. But, I haven’t worked out in a week or so , and it was due to feminine reasons lol...and yeah I am now getting back to my groove . I did slightly panic but my mind ...ugh I let it throw me off.
The only method I have to calm me if I panic a bit, while working out , is to go in another room , open a window and let that coolness calm me. I was curious to find some more tips?
Again, it’s not often I panic while working out at all...in fact it helps anxiety calm down. But, with any hormonal changes for me ....or if I’ve simply not worked out for a bit ...I guess I’m still quite sensitive to that momentum of the workout. Consistency is key though , I know.
For this current session, I had a talk with my partner and just wanted me to try again later . I have been working out for half an hour , so I’ll chill out with the dog for now. But I’d love to know how you all get through workouts while managing anxiety .
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hippieebbbz09
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This is a real case of mind over matter. I don't do frequent 'workouts' but I hate exercising because of my heart rate increasing. It makes me panic which makes it worse. I spoke to a therapist about this once and she told me this is actually quite a common feeling for people with anxiety to experience because of the association between heart racing and panic attacks. Your heart rate should increase when you exercise and I have to try and remind myself it's "normal" and carry on. Sometimes I slow down and take some deep breathes but really try to keep going through it.
Yes!! Exactly ! Mind over matter. Your statement is perfect in this scenario. Getting the mind in a good place, getting control of it , really helps crush the feelings of panic . It’s something I’m trying to master :/
wasn’t easy to get to where I can workout a lot , at all. Still have rough days ( like now :/ lol )
But I like the reassurance your therapist gave you , and I’ll keep this in mind. Oddly enough , my partner said something similar, but like each and every time we ( anyone w/ anxiety disorder) feel certain anxieties - that knowledge may go out the window and we need to be reminded of this , so thank you for writing this .
I see! Yep, relatable. Those moments of the heart racing , my mind goes to “you’re panicking ! Panic panic !” I gotta turn that switch off in my mind. Not every excitable moment is one where the, “flight or fight mode” switch needs to turn on. Our minds have to constantly be reminded of that I guess :/ It sucks.
Ok ok. That’s something I’ll remember to push through , and complete what I can do, and know it’s ok. Slow down, deep breathing.
Thank you for this!
Exercising can be a freaking drag but once it’s all said and done , the mental benefits are great, just have to be in that right mindset and mood to do it, even taking a brisk walk is cool!
It definitely can be hard to master, the "mind over matter" thing. Just need to remind ourselves that panic isn't the only reason our heart rate can increase and it is supposed to happen when exercising. Need to form a new association where heart rate increase doesn't necessarily mean panic which is why I think its important to keep going.Is there somewhere you always exercise or something you always have/wear when you're exercising that you could attach a little reminder to that it's ok to feel your heart rate increase? It can be hard, in the moment to remember and you're right, always good to have a reminder.
I have had panic attacks at the gym and my gym is at work! It isn't strange to me as I get them sometimes and I've, more or less, grown accustomed to them. I've had them while driving, in the store, out for a walk and other places. They just happen. No thought process behind them for me, but that's a tad unusual I've been told. It's more sub-conscious.
The key, for me, is breathing. Breathing through the discomfort and pain. knowing they are temporary. At the gym, when this has happened, I focus on my breath, knowing I'm still alive, my cardiologist says my heart and numbers are fine, there are maybe others in the gym I can chat with, focus on my reps, my muscles, my feet. The brain is a problem solver and it wants to fix things. It wants to fix the panic, but panic isn't fixable in the moment for me. It's panic. And if I play into it with my brain I spiral. So I know that doesn't work. If I can just breathe and stay on target the panic subsides. It always does.
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