Active addiction is an extremely unhealthy lifestyle. You have spent years assaulting the cells of your body with toxic chemicals, and happily, you are alive to tell the tale. Often, when first becoming sober, and adapting to a life in recovery, former addicts and alcoholics are left wondering what they will do with all the free time that is now at their disposal, and you are probably no different. Also, when you take stock of your situation physically, and mentally, you may feel some alarm. Perhaps you have been to see your physician, who verifies your concern.
Recovering from addiction requires adjustments to your life. Two of the most significant changes that you make are increased attention toward your physical and mental health. One of the essential differences that you can incorporate into your new lifestyle is a regimen of exercise. You are likely aware that exercise is beneficial physically, but you may not know that it has mental benefits as well. Below are seven reasons why physical activity is essential for those in addiction recovery.
1. Exercise Helps You to Lose Weight.
Many alcoholics and addicts have led sedentary lifestyles in addiction that causes them to pack on the pounds. Combined with unhealthy eating habits, this inactive way of life produces corpulence that is bad for the heart. Your physician may tell you that weight loss is imperative for your overall health. Regular exercise will help you to shed those unwanted pounds and get you back to your ideal weight.
2. Exercise Helps Restore Healthy Brain Chemistry.
If you are like most newly sober people, your neurochemical system is convoluted and not functioning correctly. Your brain has depended on your drug of choice to produce chemicals like dopamine, serotonin, and norepinephrine for a long time. You may be feeling a fair amount of anhedonia as your brain readjusts itself. Exercise is beneficial in stimulating these neurochemicals, particularly in the case of cardiovascular activities, such as running.
3. Exercise Helps You to Feel Good About Yourself.
A life of active addiction predisposes you to feelings of low self-worth. When embarking on a life of recovery, you may feel aghast at the events that took place and disgusted with yourself. To remedy this perception, activities that are positive and constructive are critical. A regular exercise routine is a productive way each day to prove that you are taking care of yourself. You will feel better about yourself when you exercise because you know that it enhances the quality of your life.
4. Exercise Gets You Outdoors.
Addicts and alcoholics do not spend much time outdoors unless they are homeless. Fresh air and sunshine are powerful tonics to cure a case of the blues. Many forms of exercise take place outdoors. Walking, running, bicycling, swimming, and hiking are just a few of the ways that you can get the blood moving outside. Taking a brisk walk in the morning to begin your day is an outstanding way get started on a positive note.
5. Exercise Relieves Stress.
Life in early recovery is stressful. In addition to becoming re-acclimated to normal daily living, the consequences of your actions when drinking or using drugs add to what may seem to be a crushing burden. Exercise is a well-known remedy for stress relief. When feeling stressed out, take a 15-minute break and go for a walk. If the situation allows you to take more than 15 minutes, take advantage of the opportunity. The longer you exercise, the less stress you will feel.
6. Exercise Can be a Social Activity.
Active addiction is usually an anti-social way of life. The only thing that was important was obtaining and consuming your drug of choice. Your ability to socialize is marginal, and this social deficit needs addressing. Exercise is an excellent way to spend time with others because you are engaging in an activity that does not require constant conversation. Join a gym, and you will meet people there gradually. Also, the people that you meet at a gym are typically not chemically dependent.
7. Exercise Helps You Sleep.
Most everyone that is new to recovery has trouble sleeping. Your body was dependent on chemicals to sleep, and insomnia can become chronic. Lack of proper sleep is debilitating and unhealthy. Exercise is perfect for tiring you out to the point where your sleep improves. Also, physical activity calms the mind so that you are not thinking about numerous perceived problems when you are trying to drift off at night.
Now, this is just a partial list of the many ways that exercise benefits your recovery. You will discover many more advantages when you get out there and start moving around. Lastly, always remember to check with your doctor for any precautions before beginning an exercise regimen.
Have a look at this site – https://www.therecoveryvillage.com/drug-addiction/ – for more information on addiction.
Read our full review about one of the trusted fat burners: Test Stack RX >>
