Line #51 Main/WorkingOutTheirEmotions


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6	[[caption-width-right:344:Even ComicBook/CaptainAmerica needs a way to relieve stress.]]
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10
11	->'''''1510.''' When you're angry, take a thirty-minute walk; when you're really angry, chop some firewood.''
12	-->-- ''Literature/LifesLittleInstructionBook, Volume III''
13
14	A character is upset. Really, ''really'' upset. They need something constructive to do with themselves to let off some steam, but [[CopeByCreating art takes too much time]], they don't want to [[PercussiveTherapy break anything]], and they aren't about to destroy themselves with ComfortFood, a CigaretteOfAnxiety, or by [[DrowningMySorrows drinking]], so what else can they do? Well, when someone has a lot of pent-up frustration and just can't sit still, a common way to handle the situation is by picking up some weights and exercising the pain away.
15
16	This works for a multitude of reasons. The activity gives them something else to focus on, while also allowing them to keep moving. They get to do something productive and healthy for both their body and their mind, burning calories while letting their emotions out. This may even serve as a good way to let the audience and other characters know this character is ''angry''- after all, if a character who usually has no physical ability is found furiously lifting weights in their room, [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness something isn't quite right.]]
17
18	Another big reason for this may involve the opinions of other characters. If this is someone looked down upon for being weak, especially if they're a male, this emotion-borne act may signify that they're finally ''done'' with being mocked, letting their hurt feelings inspire them to become the strong person they believe they need to be.
19
20	Of course, this need not be a literal trip to the gym. Characters can throw themselves into sports, physical training, or even a fight, so long as the intent is that they're using these activities to take out their anger while getting stronger.
21
22	This method is particularly helpful for a few characters, mostly those who can't or don't want to express their emotions in a "weak" way. "Macho" men, for example, may find emotion to be a weakness, and so deal with it through physical activity, because beating up a punching bag or doing sprints around the track is a lot manlier than letting their feelings show. That said, this trope can apply to any sort of character, regardless of how "tough" they usually are.
23
24	TruthInTelevision; this is a common way people deal with stress in real life.
25
26	Compare AngryDance and DanceOfDespair, other ways a character can use physical activity to deal with their emotions, as well as PercussiveTherapy, where anger is taken out by beating someone or something, and HulkingOut, where a person ''literally'' gets stronger as they become angrier. This may lead to WorkoutFanservice or KingpinInHisGym.
27	----
28	!Examples:
29	[[foldercontrol]]
30
31	[[folder:Anime and Manga]]
32	* ''Anime/GhostInTheShellStandAloneComplex'': In "Ag[[subscript:2]]O", Batou is ordered to investigate a former Paralympic silver medalist who might be spying on the state. After getting to know Zaitsev, he finds out that he actually leads a pretty good life -- a supporting wife, a nice house, stable income. At the end of the episode, Zaitsev becomes a BrokenPedestal for Batou, because his idol really was running numbers. After Batou put him away, he returns to Section 9 to let out his frustration. Throwing away the natural oil that he gave to the Tachikomas prior, as well as the bottle of honey mead that Zaitsev's wife gave him, he takes out his anger on a punching bag.
33	-->'''Batou:''' [[PunctuatedForEmphasis That. Stupid. Sonova. Bitch!]]
34	* In ''Anime/JinRohTheWolfBrigade'', Fuse can be seen jogging himself to exhaustion after the opening scene when his mission goes wrong and a teenage girl kills herself in front of him.
35	[[/folder]]
36
37	[[folder:Comic Books]]
38	* ''ComicBook/Starfire2015'': Sheriff Stella has a really bizarre "workout" routine for when she's stressed which involves getting into the bottom of her pool and start practicing karate underwater. ComicBook/{{Starfire}} actually gets worried she might drown.
39	* ''ComicBook/WonderWoman2011'': In Issue #37, [[ComicBook/{{Superman}} Clark]] notices [[ComicBook/WonderWoman Diana]] is being unusually aggressive in their workout session, as she's venting her frustrations (such as being the new God of War, killing her own mentor, and her mother's death) on her training.
40	* In ''ComicBook/{{Batwoman}}'' #28, Kate Kane takes out some anger on a heavy bag, punching it so hard and for so long that she cuts up her knuckles despite wearing hand wraps.
41	[[/folder]]
42
43	[[folder:Fan Works]]
44	* In ''Fanfic/ChildOfTheStorm'' sequel ''Ghosts of the Past'':
45	** Steve Rogers spots a teenage Carol Danvers [[spoiler: (his great-granddaughter)]] punching a boxing bag specifically designed for him (after she broke the previous one), all technique thrown out of the window. Turns out that she just discovered how [[spoiler: Yelena Belova sexually assaulted her BestFriend[=/=]potential LoveInterest Harry]].
46	** This turns into a trend when chapter 66 shows that she's broken one ''again'' - for similar reasons. Natasha informs her that breaking punchbags is beginner-level, and instead offers to spar with her. And by 'spar', she means 'kick the crap out of her for half an hour'. It's successful in burning off the angry chemicals.
47	* In ''[[https://www.fanfiction.net/s/12433174/1/Girls-Among-Sheep Girls Among Sheep]]'', a fanfic of ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'', Lynn goes jogging, does weightlifting, and punches a tree to feel better after losing a game.
48	* ''Fanfic/TheRigelBlackChronicles'': Lycanthropy is hard on the body, but even harder on the mind, so Remus Lupin maintains a high level of fitness in both, not just occasionally venting frustration but regularly training and getting stronger in order to cope with the monthly ordeal. Those who don't, tend to break within a few years and either die or surrender to the wolf.
49	[[/folder]]
50
51	[[folder:Film -- Live-Action]]
52	* In ''Film/TheLastDragon'', Bruce Leroy does an intense, angry workout after Sho'nuff destroys his family's pizza restaurant. His little brother calls him a coward for not being there, and these words ring through his ears as he works out.
53	* Franchise/MarvelCinematicUniverse:
54	** ''Film/TheAvengers2012'': Steve Rogers' first scene shows him working out on a punching bag in an empty gym, interspersed with [[ShellShockedVeteran World War II]] {{Flashback}}s from [[Film/CaptainAmericaTheFirstAvenger his first film]], until he [[DestroyingAPunchingBag completely destroys the bag]].
55	** ''Film/CaptainMarvel2019'': Carol Danvers is introduced in the midst of a PastExperienceNightmare related to her IdentityAmnesia, leading her to collect her mentor Yon-Rogg for some late-night sparring practice. His reaction suggests this is a regular occurrence.
56	* In ''Film/MassacreAtCentralHigh'', Theresa asks David if he has an outlet for all his aggression. He tells her that he runs.
57	* Tyson from ''Film/TysonsRun'' deals with stressful situations, like angry teachers at school and fighting parents at home, by running.
58	* ''Film/TeenageMutantNinjaTurtles1990'': A scene mostly deleted from the film (but shown in its novelization and comic book adaptation) shows that during the Turtles' retreat to April's old family farm, Michelangelo spends most of his time training in the barn by himself, pummeling a bag hard enough to ''snap'' the rope holding it up, and he even goes on to start breaking several other items before breaking one of the barn's walls with a punch. It becomes quite clear that out of the Turtles, he was hit the hardest by Splinter's kidnapping earlier in the film. April herself even takes note of how different Mikey has become.
59	-->'''April''': But the one that worries me the most is Michelangelo. He spends all his time in the barn, training. [[OOCIsSeriousBusiness Alone. Withdrawn. On the edge...]]
60	* Rob from ''Film/WeTooTogether'' copes with stress and anxiety by working out at the dojo.
61	[[/folder]]
62
63	[[folder:Literature]]
64	* In the ''Literature/GuardiansOfGaHoole'' guidebook, Ezylryb starts dating the very same girl that his younger brother, Ifghar, is secretly nursing a crush on. Ifghar is distraught but wants them to be happy, so he throws himself into missions and combat training, becoming faster and stronger than he's ever been before. And then, one day, he sees the couple out together...and realizes he isn't hurting anymore. [[note]]In that version of the story, anyway. Future installments in the series depict Ifghar as a CardCarryingVillain.[[/note]]
65	* ''Literature/GrandmasterOfDemonicCultivationMoDaoZuShi'' has a scene in which Lan Wangji kisses a blindfolded Wei Wuxian. He backs away before the blindfold can be removed and when it is, all Wei Wuxian notices is Lan Wangji punching trees. This is extremely abnormal as the latter doesn't outwardly express his emotions and Wei Wuxian's [[FailedASpotCheck inability to connect the dots]] makes the situation all the worse.
66	* In ''The O'Sullivan Twins'' (the second book from the ''Literature/StClares'' series), Margery Fenworthy is an angsty teen and her anger and frustration are described in these words: "She plays games and does gym as if she was fighting someone all the time."
67	* In ''Literature/TheStoryOfValentineAndHisBrother'', Val copes with his DoubleConsciousness by running two miles to say goodbye to Hunter the gamekeeper the day before he leaves for Eton. Later on, Dick throws himself into his work at the docks to deal with stress.
68	* In ''Literature/TheseWordsAreTrueAndFaithful'', after an experience that calls Ernie's self-definition into question, he decides to go to the gym:
69	--> Eventually, he motivated himself to go to the police station to use the gym; working out was always a good way to relieve his stress.
70	* ''Literature/DaystarAndShadow'': Robin deals with what he calls brain-burners, when his mind races out of control and he starts to retreat inside himself, by sprinting a few miles until he's burned off the excess energy. He teaches Shadow to do the same.
71	* Alison from ''Literature/LanguageArts'' was hit hard by 9/11, which killed two of her friends. She coped by throwing herself into aikido so hard that Charles felt like a single parent.
72	* ''Literature/CradleSeries'': Yerin's general response to her emotions is "train, preferably by killing something." Of course, that's her response to everything, but she does note it makes her feel better when she's confused and doesn't know what else to do.
73	* ''Literature/AspergerAdventures'': When Lisa was younger, she used to run away from school when she got upset. The rhythm of her feet thumping on the footpath and the wind in her face made her feel calmer.
74	* ''Literature/TornadoBrain'': On the advice of an occupational therapist, Frankie runs to get her mind off SensoryOverload.
75	* ''Literature/PetaLyresRatingNormal'': After a rift in her relationship with Sam, Peta spends the day on the slopes. Skiing is something she can be good at without having to follow lots of rules, and the discomfort and exhilaration provide a welcome distraction.
76	* Emily from ''Literature/TheEvolutionOfEmily'' has been running to deal with stress and frustration since she was eleven. Running makes her feel so alive that it feels like nothing else matters.
77	* Kitty from ''Literature/TheSecretLifeOfKittyGranger'' has felt for years like there's a coiled spring inside her that grows tighter with each moment of stress. When she joins The Orchestra, her training begins with several weeks of intense exercise, which physically exhausts her but also makes the spring feel looser and looser. By the time she starts martial arts training, she feels better than she has in her life, and her superiors are impressed by her boundless energy.
78	* ''Literature/AlmostPerfect'': After [[spoiler:Logan and Sage break up and Sage is assaulted]], Logan throws himself into mowing lawns to distract himself.
79	* Morgan from ''Literature/{{Sanctuary}}'' deals with stressful situations by cleaning and organizing almost everything in the house. After Holly's InterruptedSuicide, Vinnie calms Morgan down by having them wash dishes.
80	* ''Literature/{{Underground}}'': Robyn either runs or starts throwing punches at a punching bag when she's upset, although she notes she prefers running for handling stress and anger because she can do it for longer, keeping herself distracted longer.
81	* ''Literature/ShockPoint'': Cassie's group is allowed to play soccer twice a week. Everyone looks forward to it, even kids like Cassie who weren't previously interested in sports, because it's the only outlet for their anger and misery from being trapped at Peaceful Cove. Cassie spends the games kicking and bulldozing everyone who gets in her way. Other girls use dirty moves like yanking her to the ground [[ByTheHair by her ponytail]].
82	* ''Literature/WildOrchid'': When Taylor was in grade six, an occupational therapist taught her to walk around the school when she felt agitated and run on the track during recess. It made her feel a lot calmer. When Taylor is an adult, her psychiatrist advises her to take up running again for the same reason.
83	[[/folder]]
84
85	[[folder:Live-Action TV]]
86	* ''Series/AlteredCarbon'': In "[[Recap/AlteredCarbonS01E02FallenAngel Fallen Angel]]", Ortega is frustrated with the situation with Kovacs, and begins her day practicing boxing with her partner to work on her anger. When he tells her that YouNeedToGetLaid it prompts her to get even angrier and to actually start kicking his ass. Even after she's done with him, she moves on to pummelling a punching bag and ends up punching so hard it bruises her hands.
87	* ''Series/{{Dexter}}'': Dexter's adoptive sister Debra survives a kidnapping from a serial killer (who was also her fiancé and kidnapped her as bait for Dexter who is his long-lost biological brother). After that, she can't be alone and she's unable to do anything except working out obsessively.
88	* In ''Series/HappyDays'', when Richie Cunningham is sad, he bounces his basketball without shooting any hoops.
89	* ''Series/HouseOfAnubis'':
90	** When Mick is frustrated after a bad call with his dad, he tells Mara he's going out for a run.
91	** Season 3 reveals that Mara, known for being an unathletic nerd, takes out her anger in workout sessions in her bedroom. This comes as a surprise to the other girls, who find her furious weight-lifting to be rather funny and unusual.
92	* ''Series/SchittsCreek'': Alexis Rose often goes for a run to deal with her emotions, including once after her mother casually talked about her ex and his new girlfriend, she impulsively does so in a day dress and heels.
93	* ''Series/{{Smallville}}'': Tess is often seen training or practicing some sport or martial art [[KingpinInHisGym in the Luthor Manor]]. In "[[Recap/SmallvilleS08E04Instinct Instinct]]" she tells Chloe she does it because it "focuses her anger".
94	* ''Series/{{Supernatural}}'': Season 6 has Sam, having returned from {{Hell}}, apparently dealing with his trauma by working out and spending time with prostitutes. Turns out, [[spoiler: Sam returned from Hell without his soul so in fact, he has no emotions to work out.]]
95	[[/folder]]
96
97	[[folder:Video Games]]
98	* In the opening cinematic of ''VideoGame/DanceCentral'', Emilia ends up taking her anger out on a punching bag after getting off the phone with Miss Aubrey. While there is no dialogue in the scene, Emilia has some [[SymbolSwearing colorful thoughts]] about her ex-friend and, later on, it's revealed that the two can't stand each other.
99	* ''VideoGame/CrusaderKingsIII'': Working out through athletics is a stress-coping mechanism available to certain personalities or which you can take up on your own accord by taking the Medicine focus. It's one of the most benign stress-managing activities, giving the character a small health bonus, counteracting obesity (as they stay in shape) and only causes a small opinion penalty whenever you work out because of the smell.
100	[[/folder]]
101
102	[[folder:Webcomics]]
103	* ''Webcomic/QuestionableContent'': Bubbles the retired RobotSoldier takes to a [[https://www.questionablecontent.net/view.php?comic=3070 punching bag]] when her [[{{Hikikomori}} social anxiety]] gets the better of her in early appearances. Despite her lack of endorphins, it [[RidiculouslyHumanRobots seems to help]].
104	[[/folder]]
105
106	[[folder:Web Video]]
107	* In ''Series/TheCryOfMann'', Jack struggles to make art his family can be proud of. When his art show becomes a disaster, he [[PercussiveTherapy destroys his work]] in a fit of rage, and then decides to start obsessively exercising in his bedroom until he is the aggressive and muscle-bound "Jack Prime", a far cry from the sweet and creative brother his sister begs him to become again.
108	[[/folder]]
109
110	[[folder:Western Animation]]
111	* ''WesternAnimation/{{Futurama}}'': In [[Recap/FuturamaS1E7MyThreeSuns "My Three Suns"]], Leela punches a bag with Fry's picture on it after having a fight with him.
112	* ''WesternAnimation/TheLoudHouse'': In the episode "The Taunting Hour", after having her day ruined by a heckler, Lynn storms off to her room to lift weights, which her family describes as "rage lifting".
113	* In ''WesternAnimation/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPower'', [[Characters/SheRaAndThePrincessesOfPowerTheHorde The Horde]] ''strongly'' discourages any signs of weakness, including displays of emotion or illness. So, hitting things or training are the only viable options if one can't keep it together.
114	[[/folder]]
115
116	[[folder:Real Life]]
117	* This is a fairly common way people work out their stress. Getting enough exercise will build a healthier body and vastly reduce the chance of future heart problems. A healthier body can also build self-confidence, which further reduces stress.
118	* Working out (alongside cognitive therapy) is a common treatment for mild cases of many mental disorders, including depression and bipolar disorders.
119	[[/folder]]

Context Main / WorkingOutTheirEmotions