Every once in a while someone will email me with a request for a guest post.
To be honest, I turn most of them down but not always. Susan Treadway from www.rehabholistics.com asked if she could submit an article about recovering addicts and exercise. I like the article. It is a nice overview of why exercise can help with recovery.
What I would like to do is going into a little more detail about exercise and pain and I think I will do that in a future post.
Thank to Susan, here is the article.
How to Support Recovery with Fitness
Substance abuse carries physical and psychological consequences. Addiction recovery is a long journey, not a quick sprint. But for those who incorporate exercise into their addiction battle plan, running down the road to recovery can be provide sustainable whole-body and mind wellness. By committing to fun and sustainable workouts to eating nutritious meals, the transformative process of fitness works wonders in recovery.
What working out does to the body
Exercise, of course, does wonders for you physically. A well-planned fitness routine supports weight loss, develops strength, and more importantly, prompts other healthy behaviors. Those who exercise regularly can greatly reduce their risk for developing cardiovascular disease and type 2 diabetes. Exercise can be self-perpetuating, too. When people shed pounds, their threshold for more difficult activities increases.
The physical benefits of exercise help those in recovery as well. Addiction can be physically devastating. Those who have substance use disorders put their physical health at risk. Addiction often results in poor nutrition, for example, while those who exercise regularly are more mindful of what they put into their bodies.
How exercise affects the brain
Just as working out fine-tunes us physically, exercise targets the brain. Physical fitness provides a host of mental and emotional benefits, such as increase self-confidence, reduced vulnerability for depression and less stress. Exercise also is a well-recognized tool for battling addiction. Those who exercise receive brain chemical rewards – primarily from endorphins – that provide a sense of joy and contentment. Some attest to getting a high similar to that experienced when using some substances. Those who exercise are happier and tap into runner’s or athlete’s “highs” post-workout. It makes sense that exercise can substitute for substance abuse during recovery and throughout life.
In addition to providing you with a jolt of joy juice, exercise also helps in maintaining the proper levels of GABA, a brain neurotransmitter that is instrumental in keeping us balanced. Those who exercise can naturally lower stress levels and are better equipped for handling life’s challenges without resorting to drinking or using drugs.
What exercises to use in recovery
Since recovery is not measured in days or even months, but for life, any exercise plan should aim for sustainability. Rather than develop a strategy to lose a few pounds, or hit the gym to get back into shape, focus on incorporating enjoyable activities into your weekly routine. Before embarking on any fitness plan, you should of course speak to your doctor. They will give you practical advice based on your particular physical conditions. You want to avoid injury at all costs, as a twisted ankle or pulled muscle can entirely derail your fitness goals.
How does one find an enjoyable workout routine? By being open to new things, and trying whatever you can. Some people may believe they have an aversion to an exercise, but may actually enjoy it after a try. Fitness experts suggest trying an exercise, then doing a thorough assessment of your experience. Think about your schedule and stick to workouts that work with your life. Beginners should start with whatever activity seems doable for the foreseeable future.
A good way to make exercise seem less like a chore and more like a part of normal life is to incorporate walking into your day. When possible, avoid driving when you can walk to your destination. Rather than watching TV, take a walk around the block as you listen to an audio book or podcast. As you begin to see activity as a normal part of your day, you can add on more challenging workouts. Just remember to avoid anything that you dislike and keep self-assessing after you try new things.
This process will also help your recovery by encouraging you to direct your life on a healthy path. Then, you’ll be able to reap the physical and mental benefits of exercise, including recovery support.
Photo Credit: Pixabay
