Recovery isn’t always easy, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t activities you can do to relieve any stress that accompanies daily hardships. Exercise is a great way to reduce negative feelings and help heal while in recovery. Exercise not only helps boost your mental and physical health, but it has numerous other benefits for addiction recovery as well. Learning about how exercise enables you to heal and find one that works for you can help you maintain your sobriety even after leaving treatment. The benefits cannot be underestimated, as exercise is accessible to everyone and can be done almost anywhere.
More Energy
Have you ever finished a workout and found yourself exhausted? It may be hard to believe that exercising can give you more energy, but this is the case. When you expend energy doing physical activity, your body will naturally produce more of what gives you that energy to meet your needs. In this case, your body will produce more mitochondria to raise your energy levels. You can also expect rises in dopamine while doing your favorite physical exercises. You’ll find yourself more awake and motivated than ever before.
Avoiding Boredom
Boredom is a common trigger for relapse when it comes to addiction recovery. Individuals that are working on their sobriety need to fill up their free time to avoid boredom. Many treatment facilities may have a structured daily routine for residents, as their entire schedules are filled up, so they don’t have time to sit around in their thoughts. Exercise creates positivity in the body and mind, making it a great way to fill your free time. You’ll keep busy and feel great while doing so.
Better Mood
Your brain releases dopamine while exercising, making exercise a great way to boost your mood. Dopamine, also known as the happy chemical, brings you feelings of pleasure and happiness. If you are feeling down, exercising is a great way to get yourself back up.
Coping Mechanism
Exercise is also a great coping mechanism for individuals recovering from drug or alcohol addiction. Many people turn to drugs and alcohol to cope with stress, but exercise can also be used to manage feelings. Therefore, exercise is a great way to promote sobriety and boost healing. Going to the gym feels better than waking up with a hangover from a night of drinking. You can use exercise to cope with your stress at the gym, jogging in your neighborhood, or anywhere you can partake in your favorite physical activity.
Boosted Self-Confidence
Exercise is a great way to improve your self-esteem. Over time, you will see the muscle you are gaining, which can boost your self-confidence. Raising levels of self-confidence is essential in recovery, as many individuals struggling with addiction have low self-esteem. Learning to take care of your body and like the way you look will profoundly affect your recovery and long-term sobriety.
Physical and Mental Healing
Your body will thank you as you keep up a steady workout routine – exercise heals the body. Mental health, such as cognitive functioning, will also be improved. Exercise is also known to lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease. Your overall cardiovascular system will heal as well, reducing your chances of developing hypertension, heart disease, and high cholesterol. Creating a workout routine will help you feel better inside and out.
Better Sleep
Many individuals in early recovering have insomnia or other sleep problems due to withdrawal symptoms or the stress of adjusting in treatment. Exercising can help your sleep improve over time, giving you the proper energy needed to get through treatment and maintain your sobriety for the long term.
Reduced Cravings
Exercise may also help in diverting negative thoughts, which, in turn, can alleviate cravings or urges. Exercising produces dopamine in the brain, allowing yourself to feel pleasure as you take part in it. Pleasurable feelings can reduce thoughts of wanting to use again, helping treat any cases of cravings or urges.
Meeting Other Sober People
Exercising is a great way to meet other sober individuals that you can hang out with. When you spend time with others in recovery, you do not have to worry about the possibility of drinking. The gym is often an alcohol-free environment, so meeting friends there is perfect for those in recovery. Playing sports is another great way to be around sober individuals that won’t tempt you into drinking.
Recovery may not be easy, but there is a solution to your negative feelings. Exercise is one of the best treatments for addiction recovery. Even after leaving a treatment facility, you can continue to exercise and reap the benefits of a workout. Exercise has several benefits for people in recovery, including boosted mood, self-confidence, and sleep. It can also reduce stress levels and be used as a coping mechanism to deal with cravings and urges. Meeting sober friends is also made easier by engaging in exercise as you go to the gym or participate in sports. At Everlast Recovery Centers, we encourage our residents to take part in physical activity every day. We understand the importance working out can have in your healing. For more information regarding Everlast Recovery Centers and how we utilize exercise to boost our residents’ recovery, give us a call at 866-DETOX-25. Your healing journey begins here, and we will welcome you with open arms.
