If you think exercise is only good for building muscles, you’re wrong. Getting the right amount of physical activity each week helps keep your mind strong and gives you the confidence to overcome poor drug & alcohol habits. Keep reading to learn more about how staying fit helps you battle addiction.
Battle Addiction with Fitness
A Tool for Recovery
Adding exercise to your daily routine can greatly increase your chances of recovery. Not only does it improve physical strength but exercise also works as a coping mechanism and helps relieve stress. In addition, it encourages you to practice other healthy habits, such as eating well and getting enough sleep.
Fitness “Fits”
Many people think they don’t have enough time to make exercise a part of their daily routine. Fortunately there are plenty of ways to incorporate a fitness routine into your lifestyle. Start by adjusting your clock. If you normally wake up at 6AM, consider setting your alarm an hour early. This gives you the opportunity to start your day with health and fitness at the forefront of your mind. Are you not a morning person? Personal trainer Richard Rees tells Men’s Health that getting up early is much easier when you take the time to prepare the night before.
Which workout is worth it?
Another common barrier for entering the world of fitness is the overwhelming amount of exercise programs to choose from. There are almost as many types of programs as there are people. As a recovering addict/alcoholic, you may want to consider a group fitness class, such as martial arts (classes start at $10 an hour) or dance. These whole-body workouts not only provide valuable, positive socialization opportunities, but also address all four types of exercise: aerobic, strength, balance, and flexibility.
Tailored fitness
If the thought of going to a gym isn’t appealing, consider designing your own workout space at home. A personal gym can be the key to sticking to a fitness routine. This allows you to exercise on your own terms, without the need to share equipment with others. Before you go shopping for gear, figure out what needs to be installed in your gym. Things like electrical outlets and flooring are best left to a handyman.
Exercise and mental health
The US National Library of Medicine states, “Lifestyle modifications can assume especially great importance in individuals with serious mental illness.” This includes addiction, which has been rightfully categorized as a brain disease. Addiction changes the way you think and can alter your perception of reality. When you begin to get clean, it takes work to repair the damage done after years of abuse.
Exercise can bolster your recovery efforts by helping your brain get back on track. Exercise releases brain chemicals, known as endorphins, that make you feel good in a way similar to your drug of choice. Unlike drugs, however, endorphins can be regulated by the body and offer a sustainable boost to your mental health. In the long term, working out can help you manage your weight and build muscle mass, which can boost your confidence and raise your self-esteem.
All-inclusive health
Other lifestyle choices that can enhance your chances of recovery include: getting adequate sleep, spending time with positive influences, eating well, and talking to a therapist. Support groups, such as Alcoholics Anonymous and Narcotics Anonymous, can also help get you through the most difficult parts of your recovery. Finally, part of your healthy recovery should include making amends with the people you’ve hurt.
Through a combination of exercise and other healthy habits, especially those that benefit your mental health, you give yourself a greater chance at beating the beast of addiction. Recovery is not easy, but adding a sustainable physical fitness routine can give you the strength to become victorious in the fight for your life.
