Finding effective, supportive methods is crucial to maintaining long-term sobriety in addiction recovery. One powerful yet often underestimated tool is exercise.
Exercise in addiction recovery aids in restoring physical form and mental and emotional health. But why is such activity said to be a pillar in this metamorphosis trend?
Read more on how exercise in addiction recovery is valuable and its effect on it!
Breaking a Sweat, Breaking Free
Exercise isn’t just about moving your body; it’s a powerful way for people from all walks of life to break free from addiction.
When people engage in physical activity, their bodies release endorphins, feel-good chemicals that enhance mood and reduce pain.
More specifically, routine physical activities assist in the following:
- Minimizing tension and depression
- Improving sleeping patterns
- Improving confidence and self-monitorship
- Improving the ability to think and memorize
The Science Behind the Sweat
The role of exercise in recovery from addiction is also emphasized in other studies.
Research shows that adherence to regular physical activity reduces the chances of relapse by up to 50 percent.
In addition, exercising regularly can promote neurogenesis, which is the formation of new neurons in the brain, which can reverse the effects of drug abuse.
Progression Towards Mindfulness
Exercising takes effort and mindfulness, whether focusing on lifting weights, maintaining balance in yoga, or strategizing in a game of basketball.
This kind of focus helps people learn to live in the now, which is crucial to recovery.
Such awareness of the mind-body connection in the context of exercise promotes mindfulness, which can, in turn, help minimize the risk of triggers and cravings.
Sweat it Out: Types of Exercises for Addiction Recovery
Unfortunately, not all types of exercise are the same, and finding the correct type of exercise is of utmost importance.
Some examples of specific exercises which have been found to aid in the recovery from addiction include:
- Cardio activities: Running, cycling, or swimming are excellent cardiovascular exercises and stimulate endorphin production.
- Strength training: Muscle resistance via weight lifting or body-weight exercises enhances strength and confidence.
- Yoga and meditation: Such activities are oriented towards quality relaxation and enhancement of focus, and emotional calmness.
- Team sports: Sports like football and basketball allow people to meet and share activities, enhancing social bonding and cooperation.
The Community Connection
When exercising, you usually have a community of people already established.
For example, if it is yoga classes, marathons, or basketball, the socialization aspect of exercising can also serve as the support group one needs in recovery.
They provide motivating factors, make one accountable, and create a feeling of community that is sometimes lost in addiction.
A New Routine for a New Life
Individual commitment and consistency are required to add exercise to an individual’s daily life.
Here is how to begin:
- Establish feasible objectives and note the evolution.
- Get a training partner to exercise with and help motivate each other.
- Changing exercises to add variety to the programs
- Listen to your body and know when it’s time to take a break.
Flex Your Recovery Muscles with SEE Purpose Treatment Center
At SEE Purpose Treatment Center, we acknowledge that each recovery journey differs.
Therefore, we take a holistic view of our treatment and incorporate exercises and therapies like DBT, CBT, and family therapy.
Set on several acres of tranquil land, our facility is ideal for helping one to establish a new way of life.
Striving to create a positive and healing environment, the residential facility offers amenities such as a swimming pool, fine dining, an on-site clients’ lounge, billiards, and table tennis.
Are you prepared to make the first move of that healthy and purposeful life? Reach out to us now and “Find your Purpose.”
Together, let us envision a reality where exercise in addiction recovery is more than just a technique but rather a part of one’s enjoyable life.
