When you are in addiction recovery, you can find ways to improve your life. One of them might be living a fit and healthy life. The question is: is exercising while you’re in recovery something you can do or is it a gimmick?
The answer is that it’s a staple and very essential. If you want to live a healthy post-addiction life, getting in shape is key. You’ll feel great and look your best.
If you are in need of help, it’s important to get started now. Infinite Recovery will be able to assist you whenever you need it. To find out more, see this page.
With that said, let’s get started and go in-depth as to why exercise is something that you need now.
Exercising can be healthy
Think about it. Exercising regularly even if it’s light and aerobic can be beneficial to your health. Parts of your body may even recover from the damage done by drugs long after you’ve kicked your addiction.
When this happens, it can function properly. You’ll be able to have stronger muscles and bones. Your heart will be pumping like new.
It will be as if you never had such a problem in the first place. Plus, you’ll feel like you’re in the best shape of your life.
Exercising can even help extend your life as opposed to cutting it short. You can do 20 to 30 minutes of exercise per day five times a week and it can be enough.
It can reduce stress
There may have been a time when you used drugs to cope with stress. However, that is no longer the case. If you are having a day that is stressful, you can be able to work out and release those ‘feel good’ chemicals.
Even if the day is getting hectic, you can be able to get a small amount of exercise in. This will reduce stress and help you become more focused. It can also improve your circulation as well so your heart is healthy.
Needless to say, exercise does improve your mood. When you go exercising outdoors, you can be happy knowing that the sun will be out, there will be all kinds of greenery everywhere, and worth every bit of time.
Whether it’s a walk or a jog, you can feel better knowing that you put in the miles. You can even start right now if you’re not feeling your best.
You’ll feel an increase in energy
Remember you didn’t have a lot of energy when you were dealing with your addiction? Once you are recovering and beyond, you’ll feel like you have more energy than ever. You’ll feel like you can go on longer or walk that extra mile.
You’ll feel like you can take on the world. You’d be surprised what you can do with this new found energy. That bounce in your step will be a good sign that things are trending in the right direction.
Your immune system will improve
Some drugs may depress the immune system. Especially if you have been addicted to them for a lengthy period of time. Once you have kicked your addiction, you can see noticeable changes.
You will feel healthier. You’ll have lesser chances of getting sick. Even better, your immune system damage will reverse.
With exercise, this can be done. Who says that doing this is another gimmick? The consistency will be rewarding and it will show later on in life.
It will prevent relapse
This is a huge benefit. No one wants to relapse after a successful addiction treatment. For this reason, exercise will be one of the things you can do instead of doing something that may trigger a relapse. Not only that, you’ll be able to shed any stress that may trigger a potential relapse.
Studies show that those in addiction recovery that adopt an exercise plan are 95 percent less likely to relapse. This is vital even in the first months of post-recovery when relapses can happen to someone who finished treatment. It’s important that you do your part to continue exercising so you can ward off what may be the greatest fear of any recovering addict.
It will give you more structure
As you adjust to a post-addiction life, you may need some kind of structure. Exercise may be one of those pillars that will help you get into a new routine. So you can be able to schedule a time to get your workouts in.
At the same time, exercise will help you build your life structure based on the planning process that you have used. If you can plan an exercise day, you can do it for just about anything you want to do.
It will improve your self image
Your self image may have suffered when you had an addiction. However, it can improve over time. Even after recovery, it can be much better than ever.
Exercise can contribute to this. Your body type may change. You may look better and almost unrecognizable.
You might even get a few of those compliments such as ‘you look great’ or ‘I didn’t think that was you’. You’ll feel better knowing that you look your best whether you look in the mirror or someone else notices.
That sense of self-worth will increase. And you will feel like you’ve changed for the better.
Final Thoughts
If you are in addiction recovery, make sure that you include exercise as part of your plan. The seven benefits we’ve listed above are some good reasons to consider. Not only will you feel your best, you will look it as well.
What it can also do is reduce cravings and potential relapses. You will be thanking yourself later on in life for making the right decision to get treated. Now is the time to get started with your addiction recovery.
Contact Infinite Recovery and we’ll make sure you get the help you need and more.