Overload
How good are we at calculating when a positive habit is becoming a drain? Is it possible to determine the tipping point? Habits, even good ones, are like addictions. They become irresistible and when our internal conversations overpower our physical/mental/spiritual intuition, these “exemplary” habits can become toxic.
We are a driven bunch - all quite prone to overkill in most areas in life. For the sake of this post, I am referring to exercise. On the one hand, we want to become attached to physical and psychological sensations that arise during exercise, and more profoundly, those that follow after the towel has been thrown in and the sweat has been washed off. When the compulsion to experience them overrides the body’s need to pull back, this attachment becomes a problem.
Stress masks itself in many costumes. Exercise/training is one of them. Over exercising/training equals stress overload.
This has been my recurring story. The strength/energy-charge/clarity, exhilaration/bliss I experience post-exercise are payoffs I personally clench my hands around too tightly. Even though the physical and mental signs telling me it is time to pull back are as clear as day, I grasp on to those payoffs too tightly. They cloud my ability to recognize the approaching setbacks. For me, these setbacks present themselves as:
Aches and pains
Injuries
Holding on to extra weight
Lack of energy and exhaustion
Sleeplessness
A less than pleasant demeanor.
By preparing to take time off before overshooting, I could escape the damage that may set me back often much longer and harder than taking a brief pause and allowing my body to recover.
Does this sound familiar?
My current job has been to find balance. I am not there yet, but am getting closer. For every 2 days of intense exercise, I fight off all inclination to push any further and gift myself an “easy” day. This means a restorative mobility or yoga class, a long walk in the sunshine, or spending time in the sauna, scheduling more time for foam rolling and massages. This also means recognizing the periods in my life where stress is elevated - whether from life situations or physical activity. My plan if (and when) these times arrive is to allow myself a full week of the aforementioned lower intensity activity.
How do you avoid overload and find balance in your fitness life?
If this is a pain point for you and you feel you could use some guidance or accountability, reach out. Deeply embedded habits are powerful and manipulative. With the support of others, positive change comes easier.