Those individuals who are deep into their addiction seem to forget about the important activities that are needed for emotional and physical happiness. It is imperative for the addict to repair the damage that they do to the body and mind due to the overuse of drugs and alcohol. It is very beneficial to find other activities to occupy your mind in recovery, exercise will help with reconnecting the body and mind as one. Exercise can also be a good habit to replace ones addictive behavior for a healthy one.
- Exercise alleviates and decreases stress. There are several benefits of exercise for everyone it can help with stress, as well as replace an individuals use of or need for addictive substances. Stress or anxiety is constantly with us when we’re at work, during everyday life, and when we’re just doing activities we enjoy. This stress can come from the confrontation with an employee, stress, bills, traffic and this can weigh heavily on your body and mind. Total body movement can rid this stress and allows you to receive to gain a positive perspective on the day as well as in life. Constant exercise allows for a daily release of stress, meditation, and reflection.
- Exercise can positively alter your brain naturally. The positive effects that exercise can have on your body are enormous. Individuals can achieve that natural high, similar to the feeling they seek when using or abusing substances. The abuse of alcohol and drugs can hurt a addicts chance to feel gratification, pleasure and overall happiness. A daily routine of exercise while in recovery will allow you to experience organic levels of endorphins in your system. This will help you feel better, and recalibrate or reset your body and shows that it is possible of regulating your own brain chemistry and mood in healthy, natural ways.
- “Exercise is a reflection in motion.” The Mayo Clinic has described exercise as “meditation in motion,” meaning by concentrating on the physical we can experience the psychological and emotional benefits of meditation. Through exercise and movement, we can reconnect our thoughts on our own well-being and block out old habits, at least briefly, and look forward to recreating ourselves. You will leave your exercise routine with a healthier mind, feeling more re-energized and affirmative. Finding this clarity within chaos can make recovery much more manageable.
- Exercise improves your outlook. Those who exercise regularly report increased feelings of assurance and positive outlook and reduced feelings of depression and anxiety. This has to do with the body reconnecting and calibrating itself during exercise, but it also has to do with feelings of achievement, pride, and self-worth as you see your body progress and goals are achieved. As you reach certain benchmarks you feel more accomplished, and reinforces the goal of continued sobriety as attainable.
In closing, routine exercise improves sleep, higher energy, and a greater well being, all make life much more manageable and enjoyable and recovery that much more possible and sustainable.
Asana Recovery is a world-class treatment facility offering residential treatment for addiction. If you are concerned about addiction, please contact one of our caring admissions counselors today 949-438-4505.
