How can fitness help your recovery from addiction?
Fitness and nutrition are the key to a healthy life. Regular exercise can help improve mentality and outlook as well as physically keep your body fighting fit.
Fitness, particularly in addiction recovery, can be a key factor in successful sobriety.
Here, we unravel the benefits of fitness for those recovering from alcohol- or drug-related illnesses, both short- and long-term.
Improving your fitness is all about setting goals and maintaining routine. These goals are long-term and results are seen over months and years.
It is not instant gratification, like the part alcohol and drugs have played in your life.
Exercise seeks to ignite delayed gratification that leads to more maintained healthy mentalities.
Rehab centres prioritise fitness
As you enter residential rehab treatment, the key focus will be on your sobriety and recovery.
Treatment programmes are varied and well-rounded, to ensure that patients receive a psychological, holistic, physical and scientific experience and education during rehab.
If you, or someone you know is struggling with addiction, or is looking to begin their recovery journey, then there are many UK-wide centres available.
You can search drug rehab services via location here.
How fitness helps with addiction recovery:
Changed mindset
By making the decision to begin, and then maintaining fitness routines requires a changed mindset – of positivity and motivation.
This will provide a positive distraction from any withdrawal or cravings, and help to rebuild your health following your illness.
Your addiction will have taken its toll on your body, mentally and physically. It is important to try and rebuild this.
By frequently exercising – whether it is a daily walk, taking dance classes, or having regular games of tennis with friends – you will help your body to get fitter and healthier.
Physical benefits of exercise include:
- Reduces the risk of heart attacks
- Regulates weight
- Lowers blood cholesterol
- Reduces risk of cancer
- Strengthens bones, muscles, joints
- More energy
- Improved mood and mindset
- Improved sleep
Why not learn what foods to eat to fuel your exercise?
Social life
You can use exercise as a means of meeting new people – join a football club, dance or yoga class, or just go jogging with a close friend.
Fitness can be social as well as great for your body!
Learn more about how fitness can help you.
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