#SelfHarm #Weightlifting #HealthyLifestyle #Motivation
Do you ever find yourself losing track of time while lost in your thoughts during a workout? Does the repetitive motion of lifting weights provide a much-needed distraction from the chaos of your mind? Many individuals use weightlifting as a healthy form of self harm, channeling their emotions and frustrations into physical exertion.
## Understanding the Concept of “Healthy” Self Harm
In the world of mental health, self harm is often associated with negative connotations and harm inflicted upon oneself through damaging behaviors. However, the concept of “healthy” self harm in the context of weightlifting revolves around using physical activity as a means of coping with emotional distress, managing stress, and releasing pent-up emotions.
### Transforming Negative Energy into Positive Motivation
For many individuals, weightlifting serves as a form of therapy, allowing them to release their frustrations and emotions through physical exertion. Instead of turning to destructive behaviors, they channel their negative energy into lifting weights, pushing themselves to their limits, and achieving personal growth.
### Finding Solace in the Gym
The gym becomes a sanctuary for those struggling with random thoughts and overwhelming emotions. The rhythm of the weights, the sound of clanking metal, and the feeling of muscles burning provide a sense of grounding and focus amidst the chaos of the mind. It’s a place where they can escape from their thoughts and immerse themselves in the present moment.
## Benefits of Weightlifting as a Form of Self Care
1. **Physical Health**: Weightlifting not only improves strength and endurance but also promotes overall physical well-being. It releases endorphins, also known as the “feel-good” hormones, which can help alleviate symptoms of anxiety and depression.
2. **Mental Clarity**: Engaging in weightlifting can help clear the mind and provide a sense of mental clarity. The focus required during workouts helps individuals break free from negative thought patterns and rumination.
3. **Empowerment**: Setting and achieving fitness goals through weightlifting can boost self-esteem and confidence. The sense of accomplishment from overcoming physical challenges translates into a belief in one’s abilities to overcome emotional challenges as well.
## Embracing the Journey
Remember, it’s okay to seek healthy outlets for coping with your emotions. If weightlifting serves as a form of self care for you, embrace it wholeheartedly. Find solace in the gym, challenge yourself to push your limits, and allow the weights to be a metaphor for the strength within you. In the journey of self discovery and growth, every lift is a step towards empowerment and resilience 💪🏋️♂️.
This is simply not true. Harm implies bad. Healthy implies good. Perfectly happy and non-depressed people pursue weightlifting for sport, competition, or social bonding. Self harm is just that. Cutting, beating, bruising, copious sex, excessive tattoos (yes I fall into this one).
There is nothing bad about weightlifting unless it comes with drug abuse and things like eating disorders or extreme dysmorphia resulting in surgery or drug abuse (steroids).
“If you do it right, it should never hurt” – Me who just took a 4 hours nap after work the day after leg day.
True that. We’re biologically wired to be lazy and to conserve energy as much as possible. Lifting weight goes against that. https://www.bbc.com/news/health-34198916.amp
does beating off count as well then?
“Wow, how did you do that?”
“Every time I feel feelings of self-doubt, misery and depression, I do one push-up.”