eli5: Why does working out helps so much with mental health?

Question

I have OCD and working out ALWAYS makes me feel better whenever I have spikes. How does that work?

In: 896

Answer 1

I’ve always found that it makes my depression worse. Too much time in my own head to start thinking about how bad I am at whatever I’m doing. Boxing was the only thing that I semi-enjoyed because I had to constantly be thinking ahead to land punches correctly.

But things like treadmills, running, exercise machines were hell.