How Can Exercise Help During Recovery?

Exercise can be an awesome tool for improving your mental and physical health during your recovery period. Apart from strengthening the bones and muscles, it can also reduce the chances of developing cardiovascular diseases like strokes and heart attacks. It may also lower their risk of being struck by metabolic syndrome, Type II diabetes & certain cancers.

Although rehab can pull people out of their addictions, it doesn’t mean that they will be free from their demons for life. People who are still in recovery have to deal with a number of stressors, which may lead them back to alcohol or drug usage. As a matter of fact, a large portion of people come out of rehab only to relapse later.

However, engaging in physical exercise can help people remain sober. Recent studies have shown that exercise is capable of reducing the usage of drugs like methamphetamines, nicotine, alcohol, and cocaine.

Be it a simple jog through the park, a recreational sport, a walk around the neighborhood, or time at the gym, exercise is capable of providing mental and physical relief to people battling stressful situations during their recovery.

Let’s take a deeper look at how exercise can help people undergoing recovery:

Stress Reduction

Exercise is capable of altering section of your brain that control stress and anxiety. Be it a high-intensity workout or a low-intensity workout, the writing on the wall is clear – it is possible to gain mental relief from exercise.

Physical activities can help people concentrate on their body movements instead of being distracted by stressors. The brain releases endorphins during exercise, which can alleviate pain. Many exercise routines, including yoga and meditation, are known for their ability to trigger the production of pain-alleviating chemicals.

Mental Health Benefits

Studies have shown that regular exercise routines can help individuals retain their judgement, critical thinking, and learning skills well into old age. Physical exercise has been shown to reduce the chances of suffering from depression, which is often associated with addiction.

By engaging in aerobics and other muscle-strengthening physical activities 3-5 times a week for at least 30-60 minutes, it is possible to boost mental health tremendously, as per a report by the US CDC.

Can Promote Weight Loss

Substance abuse often causes weight to increase or fall to unhealthy levels. People undergoing recovery can engage in exercise for maintaining their weight at healthy levels. The CDC states that following a healthy, nutritious diet and a regular exercise program can aid weight control.

Over 80% of all people suffering from mental illnesses like bipolar disorder or schizophrenia are obese or overweight, as per a 2013 study conducted by the NIMH. Addiction has also been linked to severe mental health conditions.

Can Enhance the Quality of Your Sleep

A diminished quality of sleep may result in fatigue – something that’s known to trigger relapse in many patients. By following a regular exercise regimen, recovery addicts can improve the quality of their sleep by stimulating various recuperative processes, which restore strength or health.

Exercise is great – not just for regular people, but also for recovering addicts. The physical and mental benefits to be gained from exercise are too good to be passed up on. It can serve as a potent distraction from triggers and stressful events during recovery and help you move away from a life of addiction.