Exercise can be an effective way of dealing with mental health issues. Either alongside or (for mild cases) in place of therapy and medication, going for a run or hitting the gym can help us to manage our moods and give us a healthy outlet for stress. But where is the line between healthy coping strategy and counterproductive avoidance?
A recent study explored this idea, and I noticed a lot of familiar thoughts popping up as I read the paper. The authors decided to look at running as escapism, which makes a lot of sense—going for a run can be a way of leaving your everyday problems behind for a while. The same could be said of playing video games, or reading fantasy novels, or even drowning your sorrows in alcohol.
Are You Exercising for Your Mental Health, or Just to Escape Your Problems?
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