Exercise can offer real benefits to individuals recovering from substance abuse issues. It can provide focus to your life and help you feel more connected to the world. You’ll find your body growing stronger and your mind clearer as you persist in your exercise routine. Let’s look at some of the other ways people with an addiction can benefit from exercise.
Some of the benefits of exercise include:
- Exercise can provide structure
- Exercise can be a distraction from drugs and alcohol
- Exercise can generate positive emotions
- Exercise can help your body recover
Contact Midwest Detox Center today to learn more about our exercise program.
Exercise Can Provide Structure to Your Days
One of the things that can happen to people in the throes of addiction is that they forget how to live life according to a schedule. That can make it harder to adjust to things like getting to work on time or making it to medical appointments.
Exercise can be one way of learning how to adhere to a routine. It can be as simple as going for a walk at the same time every day. You can take it further by signing up for regular classes at your local gym. The structure offered by regular exercise can carry over into other aspects of your life.
Exercise Can Provide a Distraction from Drugs and Alcohol
One of the biggest enemies of people in recovery, especially those newly sober, is dealing with free time. You may find yourself tempted to indulge in your old behaviors or visit places that could prove triggering to your addiction.
The more time you spend exercising, the less time you have to think about drinking or using drugs. Any form of working out can use up the free time and help you put your focus elsewhere. It may help get a friend or family member to take part in your exercise routine to provide an additional distraction from sliding back into substance abuse.
Exercise Can Generate Positive Emotions
Exercise triggers the release of chemicals in your brain called endorphins. They can help improve your mood and help relieve feelings of stress and anxiety. The positive feelings generated by exercise can improve your mood and make you feel more hopeful about your progress.
The better you feel about yourself, the less likely you are to fall back into your old temptations. You may also find yourself having more energy, feeling more emotionally balanced, and sleeping better at night.
Exercise Can Help Your Body Recover
Committing to a long-term fitness routine can benefit you both physically and emotionally. Your muscles can start getting stronger while your cardiovascular fitness improves. Improving your health can counteract some of the health risks that can come from long-term substance abuse.
Exercise can also help rebuild some of the nerve connections damaged by your addiction. That can help you continue functioning normally without resorting to drugs or alcohol. It doesn’t matter what shape you are in when you start. It’s about staying committed and learning to get through things that seem hard.
Make Exercise Part of Your Recovery
Exercise can be an essential tool for people looking to stay healthy and in recovery. There’s no right or wrong way to get started with an exercise program. Look for activities that appeal to your tastes. You may prefer taking a yoga class over going on a long run.
It’s all about keeping your mind preoccupied with anything other than the idea of using. While there are no guarantees when it comes to recovery, you may find exercise helpful when you feel that you may be in danger of relapsing.
Start Your Recovery Journey at Midwest Detox Center
Midwest Detox Center allows clients to get well and start living a healthier lifestyle. The programs and therapies we offer include:
- Substance abuse treatment
- Cognitive-behavioral therapy
- Individual therapy
- Family therapy
- Drug and alcohol detox
Start moving away from addiction and toward a better life by calling Midwest Detox Center at 833.647.0392, or contact us online.
