Is this unhealthy exercise and ideas for improvement?

[Whynotdance]

A few years ago, I worked in a toxic environment and became used to running in the evening to shake off the day. If I had a bad day, I felt that I had to run in the evening and I started doing more and more exercise - then I injured my back. My doctors have told me that running is the worst thing for me and for the most part I can stay away. But if I have a stressful day, I feel compelled to run - despite injuries and pain. I just haven't been able to replace the running with anything else which helps me decompress from the day. My doctors are started to get fed up with me (that the running gives me more pain but I continue to do it) but I genuinely feel like I'm stuck in a loop. I've tried other things - meditation, relaxing, bath, read book, go for walk....but nothing works as well to clear my mind and stabilise my mood as running. I'm starting to hear stories about early onset arthritis and damaging my body ever further but I simply can't stop. Any ideas greatly appreciated, anyone been through something like this?

As well as the cycling or whatever, consider putting something into your routine that will bring you a new skill and mental recovery. Others mentioned a martial art. I recently tried a five day trial of Qigong with Holden. Google it. Twenty minutes a day. Really refreshing mentally. It's kind of a branch of tai chi I think. Remember, doing more of what you have been doing - excessive cardio - is not going to heal you. Try a different path. Also I would recommend at some point you have a two week break from doing any exercise, rebuild by stopping first.

Have you tried the rowing machine? We have them at gym it is a good All over workout I used to love it and am building back up to it
I also love running but had to stop as too many injuries and pain cos I am not a natural runner. Maybe one day I try again

You need to find a doctor who runs. It's an old fashioned view, unfortunately held by too many doctors, that running is bad for us. We're designed to run, not running is bad for us.

It sounds a bit like you are almost self harming with the running, in that you are hurting yourself but keep returning to it and even doing it more when things are harder.
Given that, I'd look for something that puts you more in the moment, and helps you clear your mind. I swim in cold water which is very centering, a colleague does ballet as she can't think about anything else at the time