The Importance of Exercise in Addiction Recovery

The Role of Exercise in Recovery

Exercise Improves Your Physical and Mental Health

In addition to improving your physical health, exercising also helps improve your mental health. Conditions such as anxiety and depression can be stressors that trigger relapses.

Regular exercise can help manage these conditions and thus, help your body and mind feel better and remain sober.

Exercise Reduces Your Stress

Stress is one of the main causes of relapse and needs to be managed in order to remain sober.

One of the reasons people start using substances is to deal with their problems – if they remain stressed, they can go back to old habits. However, there are many ways to reduce stress, one of which is exercise.

Even moderate exercise can help balance stress hormones like adrenaline.

Exercise Improves Your Mood

Because exercising results in the release of endorphins, dopamine, and serotonin, it has a positive effect on one’s mood.

Not only does it boost one’s mood, but it also helps relieve pain and anxiety. This is often referred to as “runner’s high” and can be achieved through 30 minutes of daily exercise.

Exercise Establishes a Routine and Provides Structure

Establishing a routine is one of the most important aspects of recovery.

Exercise does exactly this and blocks out a period of time every day.

Joining a class or exercising with a partner at the same time every day is even better since it not only keeps you accountable but also ensures that your day is structured in a positive way.

Exercise Improves Your Quality of Sleep

Restless sleep is usually a part of the recovery process, with withdrawal symptoms and fatigue leading to discomfort.

Poor decision-making that comes along with this can even result in a relapse.

Fortunately, those recovering don’t have to deal with poor quality of sleep – they can exercise to improve this. In fact, 150 minutes of exercise every week has been known to improve sleep quality up to 65% and results in people feeling more alert when they wake up.

Exercise Serves as a Distraction

Recovery is not an easy process and can be especially rough at the start of your journey when you’re craving substances.

The time previously spent thinking about or using substances can now be channeled into something else. Exercise provides a distraction and can fill some of the free time you’re left with.

While exercise in addiction recovery is extremely beneficial, it isn’t considered a substitute for other treatments.

Instead of replacing traditional treatment, exercise can be used to complement it – the mixture of both can help recovering addicts remain sober and make the most of their lives.

Conclusion

At Pathways Recovery Centers, we believe in a holistic approach to recovery.

That’s why we offer a variety of different programs through our treatment centers, including alcohol rehab, drug rehab, residential treatment, and outpatient treatment.

If you would like help determining which treatment or program is best suited for you or a loved one, or if you have additional questions, please connect with us today.