There are many important aspects of the detox and recovery process. Significant emphasis is often placed on helping the healing subject’s mind resist the thoughts and temptations ultimately leading to relapse.
That said, a sometimes overlooked but crucial component of recovery is the physical element. One cannot truly heal until their body convalesces. In light of such facts, exercise often proves critical.
The Key Relationship Between Fitness And Recovery
Addiction specialists, healthcare providers, and exercise professionals maintain a fitness regiment often influences an improving soul’s physical, mental, and social well-being.
Physical Benefits
Recovering dependents committed to making exercise a notable facet of their recovery often reap several physical benefits including:
Improved Sleep
Substance addiction often wreaks havoc with an afflicted subject’s sleep schedule. Furthermore, many individuals in recovery encounter marked sleeplessness and, in certain cases, full-blown insomnia.
A consistent lack of sleep could have a profoundly negative impact on the recovery process. Said event may result in a weakened immune system, the contraction of illness, and diminished cognitive functions like memory loss and concentration problems.
A Stronger Immune System
Medical professionals maintain that regular exercise strengthens the immune system. Those with stronger immunity typically experience fewer minor but potentially nagging illnesses like upper respiratory infections. Moreover, said subjects also likely stand at a reduced risk of developing more serious concerns like diabetes and cancer.
Increased Energy Levels
Researchers opine that physical activity rejuvenates the body and infuses bursts of energy. Energy is crucial not only for physical but mental recovery.
Larger Bones And Muscles
Arguably, the biggest physical benefit exercise yields is a stronger physique. Adherents to fitness regiments often experience a sharp increase in muscle mass and bone structure. These attributes heighten the person in question’s aesthetic appearance and provides greater protection against both minor and serious physical injuries.
Healthy Weight Maintenance
Recovering individuals might experience weight fluctuations or difficulty maintaining a healthy weight. Exercise helps the body build muscle mass and shed fat.
Stress Reduction
Rehab is a stressful period. Exercise is often considered one of the most productive forms of stress-busting. Alleviating stress using positive outlets prevents such tension from impacting the body and mind and could prevent relapse incidents.
Mental Benefits
Rehabbing persons engaging in exercise often enjoy just as many mental benefits such as:
A Heightened Self Image
Consistent exercise typically precipitates a more pleasing physique and increased strength and vitality. Said attributes often improve one’s self image and confidence levels.
Reduced Anxiety And Depression
Those committed to exercise are believed to experience better mental health and fewer incidents of depression and anxiety. Calmer, happier subjects are less likely to relapse.
Improved Brain Chemistry
Scientists maintain that physical activity is paramount to achieving balanced brain chemistry. Physically active subjects enjoy increased production and secretion of mood-enhancing chemicals like dopamine.
Reduced Cravings
Researchers have concluded that regular exercise could reduce the intense mental cravings most recovering addicts experience. The energy boosts produced by said activity is thought to quell such unwanted desires.
Social Benefits
Partaking in a fitness routine could result in several social benefits. Said attributes might seem a bit under the radar but often prove crucial to achieving and maintaining sobriety and could include:
Structure
Following an exercise regiment requires planning, strategy, and time allotment. Ergo, active subjects are often structured and organized. Furthermore, this organization often impacts other areas of the recovering individual’s life such as their profession and domestic duties.
Discipline
Those serious about exercise often place said endeavor ahead of other activities. For example, said subjects will go for their morning run in lieu of sipping their coffee or becoming engrossed in their favorite book. Fitness enthusiasts develop the discipline to exercise first and engage in other pleasures later.
Time Consumption
One potentially serious relapse-inducing problem is idle time. However, those committed to exercise seldom encounter this possible pitfall. Exercise requires a significant amount of time and is often performed when recovering subjects are not busy attending to other important tasks.
Choosing The Right Exercise
Recovering dependents are implored to consult with their doctor before committing to any specific exercise regiment. One must remember that their body is healing and placing too much pressure on said system could precipitate untoward or even serious side effects.
Ergo, those yearning to partake in athletic endeavors should undergo a full physical evaluation. Before offering suggestions on the most befitting efforts, a reputable physician will consider factors including the healing soul’s:
*Age
*Overall health
*Intended fitness goals
*Fitness level
Once such issues are established, the sport or activity chosen does not matter. The only important concerns are that the recovering addict enjoys the effort and is willing to commit to engaging in said endeavor.
Contacting Us
Our Columbus, Ohio facility understands the importance exercise plays in one’s ultimate recovery. Therefore, we strongly encourage our patients to establish a fitness program most matching their health and recovery needs.
Those looking to overcome substance dependency are urged to contact us at 833-820-2922. We enjoy a proven track record helping struggling persons achieve this aim.