The Gym Is My Therapy (Because the Real One Costs Too Much)

Let’s face it—therapy is expensive. The average cost of a therapist session can range from $100 to $250 an hour, and if you're already struggling with mental health, adding a hefty bill on top of that is basically salt in the wound. But what if I told you there’s a way to get some mental relief without the price tag? Spoiler alert: it involves dumbbells, sweat, and probably a little bit of swearing.

You might be thinking, "Are you really comparing therapy to lifting weights?" Well, yes. Yes, I am. And here’s why:

1. Lifting Weights Lets You Get Out Your Rage (Without Punching Your Walls)

We’ve all been there—those days where everything feels like it’s about to collapse, and if one more person asks you about your weekend plans, you might snap. Instead of taking it out on your unsuspecting furniture, you head to the gym. The clang of the weights, the thud of your feet against the floor, and the primal scream you let out during your final rep? It’s therapeutic.

There’s no judgment here. No one’s telling you you’re “too angry” to work out. The gym is the perfect place to channel that built-up frustration into something productive, even if the only thing you really want to do is curl up into a ball and cry.

2. The Gym Forces You to Focus (And Not on Your Existential Dread)

Mental health struggles can often make you feel like you're stuck in a loop of overthinking. Everything feels heavy—your thoughts, your worries, your past mistakes. But here’s the thing: when you’re in the gym, you don’t have the luxury of letting your mind spiral. That 150-pound deadlift isn’t going to lift itself, and your body isn’t going to survive if you’re lost in your own thoughts.

The gym demands focus. Your mind is forced to be in the present. If you’re thinking about how much you suck at life while trying to squat, you’re probably going to get stuck under the bar. So, you push everything else aside and give your body (and your mind) something to focus on that doesn’t involve your mounting anxiety.

3. The Post-Workout Endorphin Rush Is Basically Nature’s Prozac

Ever notice how after a solid workout, you feel like a slightly better version of yourself? That’s not magic—it’s the endorphins doing their thing. Endorphins, those little neurotransmitters released during exercise, are basically nature's way of handing you a mental high. They can lift your mood, reduce stress, and ease anxiety.

But let's not kid ourselves, we’re not looking to “fix” everything with a workout. Lifting won’t erase the bills, the relationship problems, or the existential dread of our daily lives. But damn, it helps. It doesn’t make things perfect, but it can take the edge off.

4. Lifting Is an Investment in Yourself (And That’s the Real Therapy)

One of the biggest benefits of working out—mentally—is that it’s an investment in YOU. It's not about getting a six-pack or fitting into a specific size (though those things happen). It’s about showing up for yourself, every single day, and doing something that proves you’re worthy of taking care of. No therapist will give you the same tangible proof of self-love that you get from lifting heavy things over your head.

Every set you complete, every new personal best you hit, is a reminder that you’re strong. It’s proof that you can handle more than you thought, physically and mentally. And sometimes, that’s all you need to keep going.

5. The Gym Is a Judgment-Free Zone (Because We’re All Just Trying to Survive)

Here’s the thing: no matter how much you mess up in life, no matter how many times you trip over your own feet or drop a weight on your toe (it happens), the gym is always there to take you back. You can’t fail at being yourself in the gym. Whether you're lifting 50 pounds or 500, you're showing up and pushing yourself, and that counts for more than a perfect bench press.

When I say the gym is my therapy, I’m not saying it’s a substitute for professional help. If you need therapy, please go get it. But the gym gives me a place to unload, to feel like I’m taking control of something, even if it’s just a set of dumbbells. And at the end of the day, that’s worth more than any overpriced session with a therapist.

Final Thoughts:

We all need outlets for our stress, and while the gym might not have all the answers, it definitely helps in ways that no one talks about. The emotional benefits of lifting can’t be ignored. So next time you're feeling like everything is about to break, pick up a weight and throw it around for a bit. Who knows? Maybe you'll leave the gym feeling a little less like your life is a complete mess.

And if nothing else, at least your muscles will be sore tomorrow—and that’s still a form of progress.