You might wonder, how can working out help mental health?

A psychiatrist shares six ways to ensure it’s helpful not harmful.

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Of course, its not exactly news that exercise hasserious benefits for our mental health.

woman sweating in the gym

Dr. Pooja Lakshmin MD is a psychiatrist specializing in women’s mental health, founder and CEO of Gemma, and a member of Peloton’s Health and Wellness Advisory Council.

But there are times when exercise can alsobackfire, and feed tendencies that arent quite so helpful.

Or we become obsessive and sometimes take it too far.

For others,high-intensity workouts could trigger feelings of anxiety.

Woman walking on a treadmill at the gym.

She shared a few suggestions for how we can verify our workouts arehelpingnot harmingour mental health.

But when you arent in the mood to work out, it can be tempting to put it off.

Theres a concept we talk about in psychology called behavioral activation.

Full body female athlete in sportswear using rowing machine during fitness workout in gym.

As psychologists like to put it,mood follows action.

Showing up, even when you dont want to, will change how you feel.

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Happy woman dancing and listening to music near a green empty wall outdoor in the city.

Dr. Pooja Lakshmin MD is a psychiatrist specializing in women’s mental health, founder and CEO of Gemma, and a member of Peloton’s Health and Wellness Advisory Council.

Im a Master TrainerHeres Why You Shouldnt Skip Your Post-Run Stretches.

Focusing on your why.

It gives you a feeling of control when maybe you feel like your outside environment is out of control.

Healthy female training in the gym, performing a hip thrust.

Try this yoga flow thats literally designed to destress the body:

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But remind yourself that rest is an equally important skill to cultivate.

Our culture is one that tends to emphasize and exult productivity and success, points out Dr. Lakshmin.

A young black woman doing post-run stretches in the park on the road amidst green grass and trees.

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