The path to addiction recovery is never easy. Whether it’s a minor or major addiction, overcoming it is always challenging. The hardest part is usually the withdrawal phase.
During withdrawal, your body starts to react to the absence of the substances it’s been dependent on. This phase can last anywhere from 2 to 7 days and is crucial in determining the course of your recovery.
Experiencing severe mental and physical distress during this time is common and can even be life-threatening in some cases. This highlights the importance of exercise.
Exercise helps prepare the body to handle withdrawal symptoms. By exercise, we don’t mean complex routines that require advanced equipment. Simple exercises that focus on building physical and mental strength can be very helpful.
It’s evident that addiction to drugs or alcohol negatively affects physical fitness. Those suffering from addiction usually prioritize feeding their habit over maintaining fitness, which disrupts their fitness goals.
Because staying healthy is so different from engaging in addictive behaviors, experts recommend daily exercise to help keep individuals away from drugs and alcohol.
Addiction recovery often involves addressing complex factors, and sometimes the simple yet crucial role of regular exercise is overlooked.
Exercise benefits both mental and physical health, which is vital for someone recovering from addiction, as they are often unstable in both areas.
Incorporating regular exercise into recovery can speed up the process. Furthermore, combining exercise with treatment programs, counseling, and education can keep your day filled with productive activities.
Having a busy schedule filled with recovery activities might make regular exercise seem challenging. However, it doesn’t require much to start. Intrigued? Let’s discuss some simple exercises you can begin with.
Long-term addiction recovery programs can be taxing on the body. In such cases, simple activities like walking can be very beneficial. A 30-minute walk can be a great start to an exercise routine.
Cycling is another enjoyable activity that promotes effective blood circulation. If walking isn’t appealing, consider riding a bike. Cycling engages most of your lower body muscles and triggers the release of serotonin, which improves mood.
For those looking for less strenuous exercises to aid recovery, yoga is a great option. Yoga connects the mind and body and there are various types to choose from. Finding a yoga class should be relatively easy due to its popularity.
Swimming is another excellent low-impact exercise. It’s particularly suitable for older individuals recovering from addiction as it’s gentle on the body. Simply floating and performing some freestyle strokes can be very beneficial.
Hiking is a wonderful way to enhance both mental and physical health. Being in nature can be calming, giving you time to sort through your thoughts while soaking up Vitamin D from the sun.
When we mention hiking, we don’t mean extreme trails like those shown on TV. There are plenty of trails designed for everyday people that can be hiked without special gear.
For those who dislike exercising alone, sports can be a great alternative. Participating in any sport you enjoy not only benefits your physical health but also helps you build relationships and stay motivated.
Going to the gym is one of the most convenient ways to exercise. You don’t need to be aspiring to be a bodybuilder. Start by asking your trainer for exercises that match your comfort level.
While exercise is crucial in building resilience against withdrawal symptoms, it cannot replace aftercare services. Once the initial addiction treatment is over, reintegration into society begins, but ongoing support is vital.
Addiction treatment is a lifelong process, and aftercare services like therapy, counseling, and education are essential. Combining these with daily exercise can help you maintain sobriety and avoid relapses.