I have OCD and working out ALWAYS makes me feel better whenever I have spikes. How does that work?
In: 896
Our brain evolved to respond to stressing factors in a specific way. Our stresses were mainly being hunted or needing to hunt after prey. Being chased/chasing something-> need to pump blood easier, so it eases blood circulation, heart beating faster, it stops digestion so you can focus on the priority of survival, etc. Once you stop and have a chance to rest, your body goes on the reverse to feel better, recover and regain the energy you spent.
That’s how our bodies are engineered to respond to a threat, to stress. Now try to ease your stress when it’s about your existential crisis, your financial state, your academic grades, your relationships. They are abstract factors that generate stress. The only way your body is engineered to respond to stress is by physical activity, and by reminding your body that it’s not under imminent physical threat(psychological tools such as grounding exercises).
At least that’s the main thing I remember from a psychology initiation class on the subject of stress and exercise.
Latest Answers