When will my body heal...

[custard]

relentless anxiety, adrenal fatigue, and complete exhaustion... these are things i've been struggling with for this past year, which was my first year (mostly) sober. it's wearing on me more and more lately.

i've been trying to exercise more lately, as i struggle with insomnia and it helps me sleep/feel better when i do. recently i started doing yoga again for the first time in years. i usually bike ride most days, but i think the yoga is good as it helps to centre me and get a more full-body workout.. after a strenuous flow class yesterday i was completely wiped and sore but the increased blood flow felt good.

well today i biked to another class, and i could barely get through it. the bike ride wasn't very far, about 3 miles, but i was sweaty and beat when i got there. maybe partly due to the fact that i was stressed about getting there in time. but i could barely do the poses. it was way harder than doing the class yesterday. after biking home, i feel completely wiped and defeated.

i'm confused about is my physical stamina. i've been biking most days for a few months now, and often i bike further, about 7 or 8 miles in a day. it tires me out but it is doable. but i feel like i am not getting any stronger and my stamina is not increasing. my quads are always tired and sore even though i've been doing this a while now. as i mentioned though i have insomnia and don't sleep that well, and have had bad anxiety/OCD and muscle tension for over a year now.. it's a bit better lately but not much. i can't seem to get out of worrying and obsessive problem-solving mode and simply be at peace.

due to this mode... i started googling different types of bikes today, wondering if i should get a road bike so i wouldn't expend as much effort when biking (i think my bike is some sort of hybrid.. fairly heavy) ... and then i thought okay maybe also doing a challenging yoga class two days in a row is not giving me enough time to heal.. since i just started doing it again this week..

but maybe it's more than that and i am not getting in better physical shape and stamina because of all the mental stress i am constantly enduring. i know there are people out there who bike 20 miles a day with ease.. do yoga all the time... i was in much better physical shape in the past when i wasn't so worn out and nearly always in fight-or-flight mode to some degree..

so i guess i'm wondering if people think i should get a more energy-efficient bike like a road bike, or if that is besides the point.. or if i need to give myself more time to adjust to yoga... or if the main reason my legs and body are always tired and my stamina will not increase is due to this constant stress and exhaustion.. (or if it is more than one of these things..)

all advice really appreciated.

 

[CalicoSam]

I'm in favor of taking time to adjust.

However if you have the money and a lust for a particular new bike, there is nothing wrong with that.

You mention lots of problems like anxiety, adrenal fatigue, and exhaustion. Have you seen any health care professionals about any of this? Thread responders could start giving diet advice or supplement recommendations, etc but til you have a clear understanding of the problem a lot of that kind of advice will just be noise.

Yoga, good.Bicycling, good. Knowing what's actually going on-better. If your having insomnia and find yourself constantly in flight or fight mode, along with other problems you need diagnosis and treatment imo.

 

[caseyg.hatchell]

Things you're doing in your everyday schedule has been matched up with in extreme level, what I mean to say that all of the regular you're doing are nothing strong enough to excite you or feel you stronger. I think you need to find out different working styles and riding procedures to inspire you from inside. For now go for a long travel. Stay away from work and have a week long vacation. Different air and environment will bring change inside you.

 

[custard]

thanks for the replies.

CalicoSam - yeah.. i often get into states (especially this year) where i question and question and question things in my mind.. even though the answer is simple.. and in my body.. all along. I had my second reiki treatment today, and this is by far the most effective therapy i have ever experienced. cuts through all the chattering of the mind and goes straight to the body where truth is stored. i feel better after the treatment, (at least for today), and getting into my body helped me to slow down and realize there's no need to push myself so much as i am. and also to stop comparing my current physical state to what it was years ago, when i was in a completely different place. going to keep cycling on my trusty old bike and make sure i take a few days in between yoga sessions until i adjust. man.. yoga is not for sissies.

caseyg - the exercise i'm doing is working for me... i just need to take it slow and remember to rest too.. i am actually going to visit my dad in the netherlands in a few days so i am looking forward to that.