SIGNS A RELATIONSHIP WITH EXERCISE IS BECOMING UNHEALTHY
Physical activity can be an amazing way to support our mental health and help us feel good. But it isn’t helpful for everyone all the time, and can lead to problems for some of us.
It’s important to recognise that sometimes our relationship with being physically active can become unhealthy. Look to help people manage this and get the support they need to develop and maintain a healthy relationship. What are the signs?
Signs can include:
• changes in personality, appearance or how often they exercise
• feeling guilty or anxious when they aren’t doing enough exercise
• exercising in secret
• regular injuries (which can be a sign of over-exercising)
• making excuses to be active
• appearing constantly tired and exhausted
• exercising even when unwell or injured
• exercising instead of connecting with others
• feeling physical activity is the most important thing in their life
• exercising even when they want to stop.
Spotting the signs of over-exercising can be difficult among people who are already very active. Elite Athletes are also at risk of over-exercising (or overtraining) if they are training without enough time to rest and recover between training sessions.
What do I do next?
You can make a real difference. By starting conversations with people about the problem, or letting them know where to get help, you can support them towards developing a healthy relationship with exercise.
It may feel difficult, but asking if someone feels OK can be an important first step.
Remember it’s not your responsibility to fix the problem.
Listening to what they say and letting them know you hear/understand them can be really helpful.
Introduce the benefits of rest. Talk about how it can help physical and mental health.
Show how alternative activities like meditation and massage can become a healthy part of their routine.
Identify a person’s motivation for doing exercise and how it’s making them feel. Physical activity is personal – we all have different preferences, tolerances and fitness levels. Some of us find short sessions suit us best, others enjoy being active for longer. These may differ at different times. Signposting to help and support can help too.
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if you need help working out if you have a problem with exercise, or if you're worried about your exercise, get in touch
The Compulsive Exercise Test
(CET)
The CET is the first measure of problematic exercise that has been developed specifically for use in eating disorders research and assessment, and within a cognitive-behavioural framework.
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The following references are the key publications: 1. Taranis, L., Touyz, S., & Meyer, C. (2011). Disordered eating and exercise: Development and preliminary validation of the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET.) European Eating Disorders Review, 19, 256-268 2. Goodwin, H., Haycraft, E., Taranis, L. & Meyer, C. (2011). Psychometric evaluation of the Compulsive Exercise Test (CET) in an adolescent population: Links with eating psychopathology. European Eating Disorders Review.19, 269-279. 3. Meyer, C., Taranis, L., Goodwin, H., & Haycraft, E. (2011). Compulsive exercise and eating disorders. European Eating Disorders Review, 19 174-189.
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