It’s surprising how very few people realize that exercise routines and addiction recovery are pretty closely interlinked. Indeed, studies have shown that maintaining a regular exercise routine can actually play a vital role in preventing relapse. (1) But how? How is exercise related to addiction recovery, and how can it help one deal with withdrawal symptoms?
Note that when you incorporate regular exercise in your life along with other types of treatment, you follow a reliable routine. Your spare time is filled up, and your mental health improves too. Exercising also does a world of good for your self-esteem. All this can be crucial for your addiction recovery.
The Impact Of Exercise On Your Body And Mind
Exercise benefits not only your body but your mind, too, especially when you are recovering from substance abuse. (2) Most people fail to realize that physical and mental health are actually closely connected, and exercise can help you take care of both. How will this make a difference in your addiction recovery? Let’s find out.
Physical Health Benefits Of Exercising During Addiction Recovery
When you exercise regularly, your weight is maintained. Considering that weight struggles are a worrisome part of addiction recovery, exercising can help you take care of a vital issue. Additionally, exercise also helps strengthen your bones and muscles. (3)
Exercising regularly also reduces the risk of other diseases like diabetes and cardiovascular disorders. When you exercise, the amount of new nerve connections in your body increases. As a result, your brain gets the help it needs to recover from the detrimental physiological effects of addiction.
Mental Health Benefits Of Exercising During Addiction Recovery
It’s not only your physical health that’s maintained due to exercising. The routine can also be highly beneficial for your psychological well-being. Your body releases endorphins when you exercise. These chemicals interact with your brain’s receptors, reducing the perception of pain, much like opioids. Hence, the receptors are activated via natural means, helping you keep your craving under control without the risk of dependence. (4)
It’s because of endorphins that you feel euphoric and optimistic after a workout which in turn prevents you from thinking about drugs. Furthermore, as exercise strengthens your mental health, it also helps you deal with mental health disorders associated with addiction, like anxiety and depression.
Exercising helps you get a more energized outlook on life and tackle things with more zeal and enthusiasm. Exercise also sharpens your thinking along with learning and judgment skills which can subsequently strengthen your resolve to not go back to your addiction days.
The Role Of Exercise In Addiction Recovery
Exercise routines lead to decreased substance use, as has been well-established by recent studies. Here’s how regular exercise can help you beat your addiction and also prevent relapse.
It Curbs Cravings
When you work out, your blood moves through the heart more rapidly. Hence your muscles get more concentration of oxygen and nutrients. Your body gets more nourishment, which enables it to grow stronger. You remain energized throughout the day. The high energy ensures that you are able to go about with your work easily and have decreased chances of succumbing to drug use. (5)
It Helps You Follow A Structured Routine
Naturally, you have to follow a set routine if you want to incorporate exercise into your lifestyle. You can sign up for exercise classes or follow a particular workout regimen for the purpose. This ensures that you are held accountable for your exercise, which motivates you to stick to your routine.
These routines help you structure your day, which in turn ensures that you have little time left to indulge in alcohol or drugs.
It Keeps Your Mind And Body Busy
It’s in your spare time during your addiction treatment that you most struggle to resist your cravings. So you need something constructive to keep your mind busy, and exercise proves to be highly effective in this regard.
When you exercise, your mind does not get the time to think about the substance you are addicted to. It keeps you busy, and your brain is not swarmed with thoughts of your addiction which will prompt you to make poor choices. Your exercise goals keep you distracted from cravings.
It Relieves Stress
Addiction recovery cannot be possible unless measures are taken to reduce stress. When you withdraw from drugs or alcohol, your brain undergoes a major change which can heighten stress. Exercise affects the part of your brain controlling stress and anxiety. So when you work out, your stress is reduced, and you get the mental relief needed for addiction recovery.
With physical activity, you get the time to focus on your body movement instead of stressors. Exercise helps keep your body’s stress hormone levels in check.
Furthermore, when you exercise, your heart rate is increased, which leads to the release of serotonin which is an anti-stress hormone and improves your sense of well-being.
It Improves Your Mood
Exercising triggers the release of endorphins and dopamine, both of which play a vital role in regulating mood. Keep in mind that mood swings are a common symptom during withdrawal which can be a hindrance in your recovery. With regular exercising, your mood is affected positively, thereby preventing you from succumbing to temptation.
And, of course, dopamine is a happiness hormone that gives you a feeling of high without any harmful substance.
Exercise Your Way To Recovery
There’s so much you can gain if you start exercising regularly. The routine will give you much-needed help in beating your addiction for good. But how should you start exercising? After all, there are so many forms of exercise. How will you decide which routine will work best for you?
Keep in mind that people sometimes have to try several activities before they can find an exercise routine that works best for them. This can be challenging during addiction recovery, which is why you should rely on expert guidance.
Akasha Recovery can provide you with the help you need during this period. We will work with you to come up with an exercise routine that will not only keep you healthy but also aid in your addiction recovery.