There’s no denying that movement is medicine. Exercise boosts mood, improves sleep, and helps us manage stress. But when it becomes a rigid, joyless routine, it can actually add to your stress load.
Strength training increases heart rate and cortisol, our body’s primary stress hormone. That’s not inherently bad—but when you’re already stressed (from work, relationships, life), layering intense workouts on top of that can tip the scales into burnout territory.
The goal is to make movement something that supports your well-being—not another task on your to-do list. When your workout routine feels like a punishment or a compulsion, it’s time to step back and reframe.
Instead of asking, “How many days can I squeeze in at the gym this week?” ask, “How can I move in a way that feels good for my body and mind today?”
