Maintaining a healthy lifestyle is paramount to success in recovery. This includes improving mental health as well as physical well-being. The physical body should not be overlooked in the recovery process. Mind and body are linked, and when you feel better physically, you usually start to feel better mentally.
Physical health includes getting enough rest, taking in a nutritious diet, and getting a healthy dose of exercise. There is a lot of research to support a holistic facet in the recovery process as well, with one study out of Vanderbilt University showing that when marijuana-dependent people ran for 30 minutes 10 separate times over two weeks, half of them reported that their cravings decreased significantly. The only difference in their lives was the exercise.
Benefits to Exercise in Recovery
The recovery process is multilayered and should include a fitness component for the highest success potential. Making healthy life changes are important. The benefits offered by exercising throughout the recovery process are numerous and include:
- Increased physical strength
- Mental clarity
- Enhanced focus
- Increased self-discipline
- Improved confidence
- Filling the time previously dedicated to substance abuse
- Stress relief
- Structure
- Improved sleep patterns
Regular exercise can also help repair the parts of the brain that were damaged by substance abuse, including serotonin and dopamine receptors which affect moods, pleasure, and other behaviors. Exercise makes people feel stronger and more focused while tackling their addiction and serves as a boredom buster. Regular fitness can provide a healthy outlet for any negative emotions that may be occurring; addicts can work out their stress and usually sleep better at night.
Potential Pitfalls
While exercise is a wonderful alternative and healthy substitute for substance abuse, addicts need to be careful not to trade one addiction for another. Exercise releases endorphins, and many runners even report obtaining a runner’s high when running. Neither of these is a bad thing; in fact, most of time they are beneficial. Some addicts, however, may become obsessed with exercise, working out to the point of exhaustion or injury. It’s important that exercise stays within a healthy range for all in recovery. Long-term recovery success depends on many factors with healthy lifestyle choices merely being one of them.
What a Fitness Plan Should Include
A general template for a fitness plan should start slow and build up over time. Many treatment plans include group exercise like bike riding, swimming, or hiking. A typical plan should include weekly or even daily fitness opportunities interspersed with therapy sessions, both group and individual. It doesn’t matter what type of recreational physical activity you engage in as long as it’s getting your blood flowing and you enjoy it.
Group exercise can be therapeutic as well, encouraging healthy social interactions. Regular exercise promotes weight loss and increases cardiovascular health, helping recovering addicts to feel better both physically and mentally. Maintaining an exercise regime can be one step in the path to long-term recovery and an overall healthier lifestyle.
Black Bear Lodge is located in a tranquil setting that provides a multitude of recreational opportunities, including scenic hiking trails and breathtaking views. Our trained staff can help devise an individual and comprehensive plan that addresses all aspects of a person, including their physical fitness. Black Bear Lodge also offers a comprehensive experiential therapy program. Call 706-909-9811 today for more information.