Does Lack of Exercise Affect Your Mood?

If You Don't Exercise, Does It Affect Your Mood?

March 5, 2010

When I go a few days without exercising, whether because of family, work, or other obligations, I can totally feel it. I get crabby, irritable, tired, and just don't feel like my happy, energetic self. My husband has, on occasion, handed me my sneakers with an imploring look. What about you?

20 Comments

ROSITALUVSWILL 3 years

I recently had surgery and was forced to stop exercising for 6 weeks. I have never been in a more foul mood. I felt sluggish and had no desire for anything. I'm so happy to start moving again.

3 years

I get moody when I do excercise. It's not my endurance, I'm fine with the workout as such, breath, muscles everthing ok, but my mind goes crazy, I can get really depressed when I am pushing it. must be some sugar thing but I haven't been able to find out how exactly. That said, I guess I am lucky because my condition is fine anyway and my tone and bodyshape as well, I do walk everywhere, have always cycled a lot and live up a decent hill and go hillwalking occasionally, and swimming if I can, but all in moderation, or else! My fiance read somewhere that there are people who are naturally fit and people who need to maintain fitness, he needs his workouts or he gets grumpy, but level is better for me, it seems... Are there any other people who recognise this?

3 years

Before I had kids, I'd still get a little mentally imbalanced if I didn't workout. But now with a 3 year old and a 2 month old, I LOVE MY GYM TIME AND NEED IT!!! Even though it means 5 AM, I need it. I need the physical fitness, the me time, and just being out and about.

3 years

I think like others are saying, I have trouble with overexercising because I feel like a cranky and dazedly unfocused bitch if I don't. Sometimes I feel like I'm just in the wrong career and should have gone into something that would let me be active all day long. There's a difference, I guess, between 'exercising' and 'being active,' but in winter I end up stuck at the gym and I am so, so looking forward to spring right now.

socalbeachgal 3 years

If I miss more that a couple a days in a row, then I don't feel as good but I have to be careful that I don't push myself too hard (other health issues) when I do work out. It's all about finding the balance.

Kensington7 3 years

If I don't work out I feel sluggish and just in a low mood. Working out makes me happy, gives me so much energy and de-stresses me. I would much rather work out than have a glass or two of wine to relax. But I do give myself one or two days a week off to let my body recover.

carrothead 3 years

i always feel amazing after a workout and i find it really clears my head and makes me feel like i can do anything!

insanitypepper 3 years

I feel bad in a few different ways if I don't get in my daily exercise, both mental and physical. There's the guilt, and there's the restless leg syndrome and elevated blood glucose levels. Then there's a little mild crankiness, which is least of the ill effects of not exercising for me.

Mila_83 3 years

Thank you Anonymous! That's exactly how I start my day - working out.I have to admit that working out first thing in the morning is also mental for me - I'm just scared that something will come up during the day (late meeting, urgent project,etc.) and I simply won't be able to make it to the gym. I'm definitely working on this issue,trying to be more relaxed and less worried about following all these guidelines and advises we are being bombarded with...

Spectra 3 years

I am definitely in a better mood when I work out. If I don't work out, I feel sluggish and cranky and tired all the rest of the day.

3 years

Mila _83- I hit that mental barrier as well. I was shocked when I recently read in women's health mag that taking time off working out (if you already do 5-7 days a week) is better for your body in the long run. We don't have to follow these guidelines that say "perform cardio this many times for this long and strength train for this long and do weights this much." We should be in charge of our bodies' activity but for some reason we listen to these guidelines and feel pressured to fit it into our day. Sometimes I wonder why I am so concerned with working out and eating the right amount of calories. It scares me when I put working out as my first priority each day.

Mila_83 3 years

I was reading all the responses and it got me thinking...is there such a thing as overdoing it sometimes?I was talking to a very good trainer recently and he told me that we tend to overexercise and its not a good thing.We have to learn how to take it easy on our bodies sometimes - it will eventually give us better results. I can understand where he is coming from, but why it is so hard to relax?I have some mental barrier and daily exercise routine became more of the religion...I wonder if anyone experience a similar problem?

danakscully64 3 years

I didn't start regularly working out until recently, but even within the last few months, I feel terrible when I don't work out. Just taking 1 day off sometimes leaves me feeling sluggish and lazy. On days that I work out, I get more done around the house. I sleep better at night. I'm more patient and more understanding. I used to feel beat after exercising, that's why I could never stick to it, but I realized that I was overdoing it for my body. Start off small, work up to the bigger stuff. If you're out of shape, spending half an hour jogging on the treadmill and 10 minutes weight lifting will leave you exhausted. Baby steps :)

inlove23 3 years

I hate not working out. It makes me feel really sluggish, and then I feel guilty. =(

sourcherries 3 years

Ohhh yeah. Better indicator than monthlies.

3 years

I can take one day off or two if I am really busy but I feel horrible when I don't work out and am being lazy like.

kclulu 3 years

Oh yeah, I am a cranky bitch without exercising, I am not going to lie.

Mila_83 3 years

I think I'm a little bit of an exercise addict.I used to exercise 7 days a week but my doctor recommended to take one day off(which is now Sunday for me).It helps my muscles to recover better and I don't really have time to get cranky within a day.If I have to travel for a longer period of time,I always make sure the hotel I'm staying in has a gym or swimming pool,also I love to go for a morning run to explore new city,I always make sure to grab couple of DVDs and jumping rope with me:)

RoaringSilence 3 years

I only wish I felt better when I exercise. I don't really do.

imLissy 3 years

I went on a business trip last year and didn't exercise for a few days and everyone was like, wtf is wrong with you?? Then I figured out why, headed to the hotel's gym for like 20 while I was waiting for dinner and felt 100 times better.

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20 Comments