Exercises to relieve anger?

[Cat-a-Tonic]

I've been stressed, frustrated, and angry lately. I do weight-lifting 3x per week and a bit of cardio and stretching too, which helps quite a bit with stress relief. But sometimes I kinda feel like I want to kick or punch somebody! So I'm thinking of maybe taking up something like kick boxing or karate or something like that. Has anybody taken any classes like that? If so, did you enjoy it, and did it help you get your aggression and anger out in a safe and fun way? And was it gut-friendly, or did the other people sometimes nail you in the gut or anything like that? Did you tell the instructor about your gut issues, and did they work around it?

 

[Loriebird]

I have a lot of stress and anxiety. I started running everyday before bed so I could sleep. It has helped a ton. Never tried kickboxing or karate... It sounds fun though.

 

[kllyeve]

Am presently really pissed off with SO - when in this mood I clean house!!! So physical activity does help reduce anger!

 

[rygon]

I do kickboxing when I can. I go to a place that makes sure your fitness is kept high, so a lot of moving around and punching. Even without sparring its a great destresser, I love the classes and its a great social place as well.

My destresser is skydiving, nothing better than the feeling of freedom and seeing the scenery from afar.

Have you thought about yoga? I bought a power yoga dvd and have managed to become more flexible, build up my core muscles and chill out at the same time

 

[Cat-a-Tonic]

Thanks all! Rygon, I have done a bit of yoga here and there but honestly I prefer weight lifting. I like the intensity. It sounds like kickboxing is fun, I'm going to check and see what kinds of classes are available around here!

 

[rygon]

yeh ive been to a few different ones and they vary widely so try out a few and see which one you like best. Ours has a lot of circuit training combined into it. Hitting the heavy bags are great. If you do get into it make sure you get some mexican handwraps or you will end up hurting your wrists (from experience, i bent my wrist back and it took months to get better).

 

[IslandArts]

I used to do kickboxing and loved it until the instructor moved to Thailand to concentrate on the sport and compete...sigh... It was a great stress reliever though.
I can't wait to get back riding again as that takes your mind off of everything else. Even just grooming mellows me out.

 

[David]

I bought myself a 50lb punching bag so I can relieve anger and tension on occasion. When I feel like hitting something, I do exactly that It doesn't hurt my gut at all. I purchased this to hang the bag from. Works great

I love yoga but sometimes I just need to punch stuff. RAWR!

 

[tiloah]

Roller derby! Yea! Hitting practices are excellent stress relief.

 

[tiloah]

I bought myself a 50lb punching bag so I can relieve anger and tension on occasion. When I feel like hitting something, I do exactly that It doesn't hurt my gut at all. I purchased this to hang the bag from. Works great

I love yoga but sometimes I just need to punch stuff. RAWR!

I wish I had somewhere to put a punching bag... I would just like to say there is a right way and a wrong way to "punch" so if you get yourself a punching bag or start working out with one make sure you know how to do it!

 

[scoutfinch]

I wish I had somewhere to put a punching bag... I would just like to say there is a right way and a wrong way to "punch" so if you get yourself a punching bag or start working out with one make sure you know how to do it!

One of my friends used to have one of those inflatable clowns that pop right back up when you hit it. I loved to punch that thing.

This: http://www.amazon.com/Original-Bozo-Clown-Inflatable-Punching/dp/B00067TAWG/ref=pd_sim_t1

 

[Jim Gonsler]

Crohn's, Stress and Exercise

I have a very stressful job as an engineering recruiter. One of the only ways I can really prevent the stress from effecting my gut is through regular exercise at least three time a week. I have been weight lifting for many years now and riding a stationary bike for warm ups and cool downs. Part way through my work-out, I begin noticing that the stress is draining away, almost magically. By the end of the work, I find it difficult to even try to get upset about anything. I would recommend anyone to exercise as much as they can. Obviously, no one wants to over do it, and need to be cautious about the level of exertion they can get away with. But I believe with a consistant regulated program of exercise, most people can either eliminate or reduce the reliance on some of the potentially dangerous presciption drugs out there used to treat Crohn's. Of course consult with your doctor and get their input too.

 

[Nerple]

I exercise for at least an hour and a half daily which helps a ton just to maintain a low stress level. But whenever I become extremely angry with anything the gym is usually my first stop where I work out until I feel nothing but exhaustion. It's probably not the safest way to go about things, and I usually pay for it the next morning but it helps a lot to relieve my anger. But I stick to weights and the bike.

 

[AbdoAlien]

Hey cat...I used to do kickboxing & thai boxing for 8 years & LOVED it!! Then my trainer moved out of province & I couldn't find another I liked...I had tried to get back into it on my own since being sick & diagnosed, but I find I have to take it easy or the "alien" gets cranky...if ya know what I mean...I find I can't do it daily like I used to & if I'm in a flare I have to stay away from it altogether (same with horseback riding)...so I just do it every now & then & play it by ear...I tried yoga, but it's too low key for me..I need a bit more movement...