How to deal with workout anxiety

We live in a fast-paced dealt societal agreement. Just because on an example basis we have been given a set of timetable, it doesn’t mean we all have to follow the same. Some of us are early risers while the rest of us are night owls. Some of us believe in having our adrenaline rush before the day gets started whilst others want to end our day by pumping some iron. There is no wrong or right, or this way or that way. Whatever suits your body and keeps you going is the way best meant for you. Citing my example, I prefer getting my dose of endorphins right before lunch. Working out between 12:30 and 2:00 pm for me is the best window I can focus on mind-muscle concentration. I have tried working out in the wee hours of the day, and I have done months of late evening workouts, but the afternoon workouts are where I have seen my body resonate to every rhythm and momentum and it also gives me a feeling of “earning rightfully my choice of lunch” (be it just a piece of cake or a North Indian thali). Workout anxiety has main three causes: 1. Feeling uncomfortable in your skin 2. Having uncertain motivation and determination 3. Comparing yourself to other’s physique Change doesn’t happen overnight. It didn’t for me. But understanding the root cause of what makes me look forward to exercising or what makes me skip it, can turn exercising into an experience you relish rather than dread. Something to ponder on; I was someone who worked out for a minimum of 2.5 hours, 6 days a week for almost 6 years in a row. Be it a holiday or a vacation or me having to host guests over, I would not skip my workout and the intensity whatsoever. Most of my acquaintances would taunt me ‘Are you competing with Jillian Michaels?’, ‘Where are you heading by deadlifting 20kgs?’ But I never paid heed to them. I only listened to how my body kept giving me positive signals and to date, I do only that. But now times have changed, I suffer from anxiety on and off, and I am advised by my general physician that anything that makes my cortisol or the stress hormone rise will trigger my anxiety (then it can be high-intensity workouts, someone yelling on top of their voices, or it could be a particular food item that hasn’t gone down well). And yes, this was a major workout anxiety for me two years ago. It took me months to adapt to slow-paced workouts, fewer sets, and more repetitive exercises, taking three off days from exercising in the week, and most importantly not comparing my fitness levels from my current state to yesterday let alone years back. For the ones who want workout anxiety to stop tailgating them here are a few things to try: 1. Exercise in the open (walks, swimming, cycling, playing a sport) 2. Hathaway Yoga and Pranayama ( no adrenaline rush) 3. Take time off cardio in all forms and start bodyweight exercises 4. Skip the gym and try a home-based exercise routine I hope these would be of some help to anyone reading this. Do let me know the changes that you executed or if this piece made you aware of your own body.