A healthy and balanced life is crucial to addiction recovery. Exercise is an important tool in achieving recovery because it makes us feel good both physically and emotionally. Exercise can also help someone in recovery better manage stressors, triggers, and cravings. On a basic level, exercise accomplishes this by filling life with positive, healthy activities. There are only so many hours in the day, and if someone focuses that time on total-body wellness, there simply won?t be opportunities for substance abuse.

 

On a more evidence-based level, exercise benefits mental health. Activity reduces stress, anxiety and depression by giving a sense of purpose and increasing self-worth. Exercise also reduces social withdrawal and encourages social activity. Isolation and loneliness are often precursors of substance abuse. Exercise also helps your body release feel-good brain chemicals that replace those we seek when choosing drugs or alcohol.

 

Here are some more facts and tips from Quick Handle.

 

Best Types of Workouts

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There is no perfect workout since the best type of workout is going to be determined by fitness needs and goals. In general, a workout should be varied, targeting cardiovascular health, muscle strengthening, and core development while also being either low-impact or coupled with complementary exercises and stretches aimed at maximizing the benefits of higher-impact workouts. When in doubt, you might want to look into an online personal trainer to keep you motivated and make sure you?re on the right track.

 

To be effective, a workout should challenge you a bit, too. CrossFit may feel impossible the first few times you try it, even the most sedentary person will be charging through workouts and burning more calories, and further detoxifying their body. Adjusting the workout as you progress through fitness is, therefore, a crucial component of workout quality.

 

Aim for Long-Term Results and Sustainability

 

The best workout, however, can be defined as an activity that you love to do and embrace as a part of your life. If you absolutely despise running, no amount of hitting the treadmill will become joyful and you will likely drop the activity after a short period of time. If you love playing basketball, your sustainable exercise may take you to the courts a few times a week.

 

Other ways to ensure that you will stick to your exercise program include being reasonable with scheduling and to start slowly. Exercise does not help your recovery much if you bail on your program because you get burned out, or if you end up replacing an addiction with an obsession. Don?t overcommit and remember to balance your workouts with rest and other activities. If you need help getting started, join a local gym and work with a personal trainer. Having someone to coach you along the way will ensure your form is right and they?ll hold you accountable.

Be Prepared

 

You want to be able to dive into your exercise program, so It?s important to have any necessary gear, apparel or equipment. If you plan to spend most of your time in a gym, invest in gym shoes and sweat-wicking sportswear. Anyone who runs knows the importance of having the appropriate footwear as well as accessories to boost motivation like sports armbands or fitness trackers. Cyclists need a decent bike, a helmet and comfortable clothing. You see where this is going. Gathering any key items ahead of time makes it easier to immerse yourself in your chosen activity.

 

Overall Wellbeing

 

Make sure to supplement your exercise with self-care. Exercise itself is great for mental health, but you want to make sure you supplement it with some down time. Self-care basically refers to any activity we engage in to provide comfort and support in our lives. Here are some self-care practices that can balance out your exercise during recovery:

 

?     Massage. Sore muscles hinder exercise. An occasional massage is a treat that makes us feel good all over and helps in performance.

?     Rest. Fitness results are boosted with rest. Muscles and systems need time to repair from a workout. Cherish rest days as being as important as your workouts.

?     Sleep. A good night?s sleep is essential to mental and physical well-being and helps fight the long battle of recovery.

?     Healthy eating. Although some exercise so they can worry less about diet, healthy food improves our bodies beyond waistlines and proper nutrition helps repair damage that addiction does to bodies.

?     Having fun. Positivity and fun are essential to overall well-being and help persevere through recovery.

 

Fitness involves more than a workout. It involves improving yourself down to the core. By combining sustained, fun and effective exercises with overall healthy living, those in recovery can find a balanced lifestyle that supports addiction management.

 

Quick Handle offers mentoring and coaching programs to help develop a complete player. Please schedule a call with us by clicking this link.

 

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