What is the most physically exhausting thing I can do right now?
November 12, 2021 6:39 PM Subscribe
Occasionally I get so something that I feel like I need to exhaust my body right away to help clear my head. Like my mind is so hectic that I need to evict some stuff through exercise. (Why yes, I do have moderate to severe ADHD.)
This could also be phrased, "What is the fastest way to get to runner's high*?" but I know runner's high isn't guaranteed. (And my lungs give out before my body does, which is frustrating.)
"Right now" to indicate that this should be possible without significant preparation, equipment, or travel. For example, running shoes/local park yes, gym membership/swimming pool/Mount Everest/snow to shovel no. Obviously you can't know every specific thing I have access to, but that's fine with me because if a suggestion requires a minor purchase, I can buy it and be prepared for next time.
*Just learned that runner's high is due to endocannabinoids. I have access to legal cannabis but I'd like to solve this problem without drugs.
This could also be phrased, "What is the fastest way to get to runner's high*?" but I know runner's high isn't guaranteed. (And my lungs give out before my body does, which is frustrating.)
"Right now" to indicate that this should be possible without significant preparation, equipment, or travel. For example, running shoes/local park yes, gym membership/swimming pool/Mount Everest/snow to shovel no. Obviously you can't know every specific thing I have access to, but that's fine with me because if a suggestion requires a minor purchase, I can buy it and be prepared for next time.
*Just learned that runner's high is due to endocannabinoids. I have access to legal cannabis but I'd like to solve this problem without drugs.
Burpees are my go to. High intensity, no equipment needed, can be done even in small spaces.
posted by ananci at 6:49 PM on November 12, 2021 [27 favorites]
posted by ananci at 6:49 PM on November 12, 2021 [27 favorites]
Shovelglove. A sledgehammer is a great way to burn some energy quietly in a small room. If you don't have one, they are fairly inexpensive and easy to get in most places.
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:52 PM on November 12, 2021 [15 favorites]
posted by SaltySalticid at 6:52 PM on November 12, 2021 [15 favorites]
When I need to work out some energy/anxiety, I do Ten Minute Dance Party. Set a timer, put on some really upbeat music, and dance your brains out for ten straight minutes. No stopping no matter what. I usually end up out of breath, but if you're in better shape than me, make it a 15 or 20 minute dance party. The important thing is to keep moving moving moving and dont stop no matter what.
This makes it sound even more ridiculous, but try doing the Charleston. It's fun and repetitive and goes with every song. If you do 10 minutes of Charleston, your heart will be pumping and you'll possilby have a giant grin on your face. Just do what these people are doing.
posted by silverstatue at 6:55 PM on November 12, 2021 [22 favorites]
This makes it sound even more ridiculous, but try doing the Charleston. It's fun and repetitive and goes with every song. If you do 10 minutes of Charleston, your heart will be pumping and you'll possilby have a giant grin on your face. Just do what these people are doing.
posted by silverstatue at 6:55 PM on November 12, 2021 [22 favorites]
Going Quickly Upwards.
climbing stairs / running up a hill are both ways for me to feel exhausted in minutes.
(on a bike is best, because you get to go DOWN after)
I will heartily endorse burpees (though I cannot bring myself to do them because they are TOO difficult)
Throwing a small child in the air over and over (you don't need to let go). We call them "yays" in our house, as they are used to celebrate anything at all.
posted by Acari at 7:18 PM on November 12, 2021 [7 favorites]
climbing stairs / running up a hill are both ways for me to feel exhausted in minutes.
(on a bike is best, because you get to go DOWN after)
I will heartily endorse burpees (though I cannot bring myself to do them because they are TOO difficult)
Throwing a small child in the air over and over (you don't need to let go). We call them "yays" in our house, as they are used to celebrate anything at all.
posted by Acari at 7:18 PM on November 12, 2021 [7 favorites]
burpees'll do it. ugh they're the worst!
if they're too strenuous, fast push-ups will probably get you exhausted pretty quick.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:28 PM on November 12, 2021
if they're too strenuous, fast push-ups will probably get you exhausted pretty quick.
posted by fingersandtoes at 7:28 PM on November 12, 2021
RIGHT now: repeat the NYT brief workouts a few times. There used to be a 7-min, but I can’t find it - now there is a 9-min and a standing 7-min.
You can always do your own rounds of jumping jacks, push-ups, squats, burpees, chair dips, high-knees running in place, burpees, etc. - I like using these videos in particular because I trust their sources for creating them (academic programs in exercise physiology), and feel more confident that the amount of effort they’re asking me to do is less likely to injure me than if I went off on a tear and tried to do X number or Y time of exercises of my choice.
Other suggestions for future: jumping rope has been a great get-it-out exercise for me in the past, although getting into it I always have to take it slow and roll out my aching calves for a few weeks; kettlebells, which I wish I could get into more; solo jazz dancing (there are reputable and culturally-respectful teachers I’d be glad to share, if you’re interested). I’ve never tried shadow boxing, but I think people like it for the intensity - I think there are a wide variety of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts for free on YouTube.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 7:49 PM on November 12, 2021 [5 favorites]
You can always do your own rounds of jumping jacks, push-ups, squats, burpees, chair dips, high-knees running in place, burpees, etc. - I like using these videos in particular because I trust their sources for creating them (academic programs in exercise physiology), and feel more confident that the amount of effort they’re asking me to do is less likely to injure me than if I went off on a tear and tried to do X number or Y time of exercises of my choice.
Other suggestions for future: jumping rope has been a great get-it-out exercise for me in the past, although getting into it I always have to take it slow and roll out my aching calves for a few weeks; kettlebells, which I wish I could get into more; solo jazz dancing (there are reputable and culturally-respectful teachers I’d be glad to share, if you’re interested). I’ve never tried shadow boxing, but I think people like it for the intensity - I think there are a wide variety of HIIT (high-intensity interval training) workouts for free on YouTube.
posted by rrrrrrrrrt at 7:49 PM on November 12, 2021 [5 favorites]
Bodyweight squats. Ugh. Also, standing jacks and standing crunches. Ugh ugh! Sometimes a few sets of these three are what can snap me out of an anxiety spiral. Then I have to go lie down.
posted by Mizu at 8:11 PM on November 12, 2021
posted by Mizu at 8:11 PM on November 12, 2021
Seconding the sledgehammer. Haven't tried the shovelglove technique but I actually have a pile of old bricks in the yard that I've gradually been turning into rubble, so if you happen to be in a similar situation, can confirm it will tire you right out.
posted by goingonit at 8:32 PM on November 12, 2021
posted by goingonit at 8:32 PM on November 12, 2021
Pullups always kicked my butt, even in my fit days.
posted by Hardcore Poser at 8:37 PM on November 12, 2021
posted by Hardcore Poser at 8:37 PM on November 12, 2021
Mountain climbers wear me out nearly as fast as burpees and are a little bit quieter for neighbors and roommates.
posted by clew at 11:03 PM on November 12, 2021 [6 favorites]
posted by clew at 11:03 PM on November 12, 2021 [6 favorites]
Oh, I know how you feel. For me, climbing a big hill is the best way, but your hill availability may vary!
Inside, with little space and in a flat, how about bodyweight HIIT like this from Joe Wicks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og_f0_QO_Ko
Turn the sound down, blast some good tunes of your own and really give it all.
posted by sedimentary_deer at 12:10 AM on November 13, 2021
Inside, with little space and in a flat, how about bodyweight HIIT like this from Joe Wicks. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Og_f0_QO_Ko
Turn the sound down, blast some good tunes of your own and really give it all.
posted by sedimentary_deer at 12:10 AM on November 13, 2021
Skipping is an underrated but exhausting exercise that only requires a single cheap piece of equipment, and you can do it anywhere there is a couple of feet clearance between you and the ceiling.
posted by underclocked at 12:53 AM on November 13, 2021 [3 favorites]
posted by underclocked at 12:53 AM on November 13, 2021 [3 favorites]
There might not me snow to shovel, but could you find some leaves to rake off peoples' sidewalks?
Also, walking up hills.
posted by Pax at 3:24 AM on November 13, 2021
Also, walking up hills.
posted by Pax at 3:24 AM on November 13, 2021
High knees jog on the spot (lifting knees to hip height) while punching. Don't over think it or it gets weird to coordinate.
posted by lifethatihavenotlivedyet at 4:46 AM on November 13, 2021
posted by lifethatihavenotlivedyet at 4:46 AM on November 13, 2021
Yeah, burpees (ugh! indeed) or more generally some HIIT cardio exercise where you are really working at or near max effort during the active phases. If you don't mind using an app I like the 7 Minute Workout: Fitness App which has a variety of workouts with different intensity and focus areas.
posted by 4rtemis at 5:29 AM on November 13, 2021
posted by 4rtemis at 5:29 AM on November 13, 2021
Rucking - go for a long walk/hike with weight on your back. An easy way is bags or tins of food/bottles of water in a rucksack.
posted by mani at 7:16 AM on November 13, 2021
posted by mani at 7:16 AM on November 13, 2021
This routine is quite strenuous if you do more than a couple reps.
posted by grobstein at 11:49 AM on November 13, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by grobstein at 11:49 AM on November 13, 2021 [1 favorite]
Dig a ditch. All you need is some dirt and a $20 shovel. No exercise is harder.
posted by The_Vegetables at 12:34 PM on November 13, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by The_Vegetables at 12:34 PM on November 13, 2021 [1 favorite]
if ya swim laps at the limits of your capacity, your thoughts dissolve as your entire point of focus becomes, "air". that takes it outta me, muscles and all.
posted by j_curiouser at 1:16 PM on November 13, 2021
posted by j_curiouser at 1:16 PM on November 13, 2021
I do jumping jacks unless my arms are refusing to cooperate. In that case I do just the jumping part. Works for this particular ADHD-addled person. Great question. Good luck!
posted by Bella Donna at 1:45 PM on November 13, 2021
posted by Bella Donna at 1:45 PM on November 13, 2021
A nice game of pickup soccer Always does this for me.
posted by St. Peepsburg at 3:49 PM on November 13, 2021
posted by St. Peepsburg at 3:49 PM on November 13, 2021
Seconding the mountain climbers exercise, especially for when you need to exercise indoors in a fairly small space.
posted by brainwane at 3:34 AM on November 14, 2021
posted by brainwane at 3:34 AM on November 14, 2021
When you take a freezing-cold shower (5 mins) - you feel like a million-bucks for about an hour or so afterward. (Physically shocking/ mentally grounding)
posted by mrmarley at 6:05 AM on November 14, 2021
posted by mrmarley at 6:05 AM on November 14, 2021
Turkish getups are an alternative to burpees (which I hate). You'll need a dumbbell or kettlebell.
Also, many, many sun salutations.
posted by daikon at 10:57 AM on November 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
Also, many, many sun salutations.
posted by daikon at 10:57 AM on November 14, 2021 [2 favorites]
Load up a medium sized cardboard box with books. Haul it up and down on stairs, or just walk around the house with it. You need to prepare the box only once.
posted by kmt at 9:07 AM on November 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
posted by kmt at 9:07 AM on November 15, 2021 [1 favorite]
Response by poster: Bless you all. May we all banish the bees from our heads as swiftly as they come.
Lots of great answers here. I'll be referring back to this next time my head gets hectic.
Shovelglove is a great read.
posted by meemzi at 3:19 PM on November 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
Lots of great answers here. I'll be referring back to this next time my head gets hectic.
Shovelglove is a great read.
posted by meemzi at 3:19 PM on November 19, 2021 [1 favorite]
This thread is closed to new comments.
posted by Polycarp at 6:42 PM on November 12, 2021 [4 favorites]