The advantages of exercise are many and varied. We’re all told to get at least 30 minutes a day and it will make use look and feel better and live longer. It can also increase your mood, give you more energy, and help your brain health. These are all positives for anyone, but they can be especially important for someone in addiction recovery.
One benefit of exercise is that it can provide a natural rush. You might have heard of a runner’s high, a feeling of euphoria one gets after aerobic exercise. This “high” is a feeling of euphoria, lessening of pain, and reduced anxiety, which is something people often try to recreate with illicit substances. Researchers have looked at the neurotransmitters in the brain that are released in greater amounts during exercise. These include dopamine and serotonin, both of which can reduce the symptoms of depression and the production of which is stunted by drug and alcohol use. There is also a theory that the rise in core body temperature has a positive effect on mood.
Research has shown that 30 minutes of activity four times a week significantly lower depression and anxiety. One 16-week study compared three groups – people just exercising, just taking medication (sertraline, which is known by the brand name Zoloft) and others both taking medication and exercising. They found that the numbers of patients who had seen relief in their depression were very similar across the groups: 60.4 percent of the exercise group, 68.8 percent of the medication group, and 65.5 percent of the combination group. Ten months out from the study, the exercise group members had significantly lower rates of depression (70 percent in remission) than those in the medication (48 percent) or the combination (54 percent) groups.
There are other factors beyond the chemical that can help with addiction recovery. For someone who has struggled with pain and become addicted to opioids, regular exercise could eventually strengthen the muscles and bones and lead to a reduction in pain. There’s also the simple act of losing yourself in something besides your worries. If you’re focused on running one more mile or winning a round of basketball, you’re not occupied with all the things that might push you toward relapse. The simple act of finishing or winning can also provide a great boost in mood. This is called self-efficacy, or the belief that one possesses the necessary skills to complete a task and the confidence that the task can actually be completed successfully.
It’s not just aerobic exercises that can help. Yoga is an excellent choice because it’s slower and allows time for meditation and contemplation. It can also make the entire body stronger and more flexible. Any type of regular exercise can help with sleep, which is helpful as insomnia is typical in those fighting addiction.
If you or a loved one need help to quit drugs or alcohol, consider Asana Recovery. We offer medical detox, along with both residential and outpatient programs, and you’ll be supervised by a highly trained staff of medical professionals, counselors, and therapists. Call us any time at (949-438-4504).
