Getting sober means prioritizing your health, and wellness is an important part of that process. Eating right, getting plenty of rest, and exercising. All important tools that can and should be used on the road to sobriety.
The benefits of exercise in sobriety are numerous. They can help to overcome some of the more common obstacles on this journey.
Promotes Physical Wellness
Among the benefits of exercise in sobriety includes the physical wellness that is cultivated from routine activity. Getting sober can be a rigorous process and can really take a toll on the body.
Routine exercise, including cardiovascular workouts and strength training, can help overcome some of the physical impacts of getting sober. If the addiction has exacerbated any chronic conditions, exercising to become physically well might help manage such health-related issues.
Because physical stress can sometimes contribute to the cycle of addiction. The more physically well you can be, the better your chances of maintaining sobriety. Moreover, as you get stronger you might feel internal as you combat some of the issues that may have contributed to substance abuse challenges.
Better Rest
As physical wellness is important in recovery, so is rest. It takes your body time to recover from the rigors of addiction, so quality rest becomes even more important as you continue to maintain your sobriety.
Regular exercise means better rest. When you sleep better, you have more energy, and your mood feels considerably improved the next day as you continue to take your sobriety one day at a time.
Provides an Opportunity to Meet New People
One of the tricky parts of getting sober is that it becomes challenging to meet new people easily. This is especially true if substance use is part of how you socialized with other people.
Exercise, especially in a group setting, makes it easier for you to meet new people and form new friend groups that are not part of past scenes that may have centered on substance use.
Group exercise may also help you get engaged in something good for you as you progress through your sobriety. It is a good way to engage with people outside of environments that might otherwise threaten your sobriety.
In fact, using exercise to meet new people might also help you discover new activities you might enjoy. For instance, you don’t need to join a gym to take advantage of the benefits of exercise. You can join a walking club and go on challenging hikes with like-minded people.
You might opt for a dance class as a way to replace nightlife options that might derail your sobriety. A dance class is a good way to get in some physical activity, working out while enjoying the music.
While it may be challenging to utilize exercise to be more social, you may become more confident over time if you stick with it. As you become more confident in your body and your sobriety, you may find that you are more willing to make friends as you engage in physical exercise.
Healthy Way to Pass Time
Another issue presented in the process of getting sober is finding healthy ways to pass the hours. After all, substance abuse takes up quite a bit of time, so once you are sober, you may find that you aren’t sure how to spend your free time.
In fact, some people opt not to return to those environments in which they engaged in substance abuse. When you are in a new environment, it can be challenging to know what to do with yourself as you figure out your new surroundings. Exercise is a good place to start in passing the time and filling your day so that you don’t have any idle time that might otherwise threaten your sobriety.
Getting involved in a regular exercise routine provides a good way to pass the time. Whether you use this time to meet other people or not, exercise offers a way to cultivate a healthy hobby that improves your health and makes you feel better in every possible way.
Moreover, when you’re feeling down or are struggling with sobriety, you can find ways to work out to take your mind off your struggles. Exercise is a healthy coping mechanism when you are working on getting sober and is a lifelong habit that you can continue as you navigate this journey.
Improves Mental Well-Being
Exercise improves mental well-being, which is very important on the road to sobriety. People sometimes struggle to stay sober because they find it challenging to “feel” as good as their substance of choice used to make them feel.
Exercise is an ideal substitute because it naturally releases endorphins and makes you feel better. It has been proven to improve mood, help with anxiety, and aid in managing depression. These are common mental and emotional pitfalls for those struggling with sobriety. Exercise can take the place of substance use for those that want to feel better as they continue recovery.
Exercise is a good way to manage stress. Working out can help clear your mind, so learning how to use physical activity to work out any issues you might be having as you recover is a good lifetime habit.
Boosts Energy
Low energy is a challenge that those working on getting sober often contend with. As you recover and begin to feel better, your energy may fluctuate. Regular exercise is a good way to increase your energy.
Exercise can also help with fatigue. Fatigue can be a symptom of various health problems, including serious conditions such as heart disease and/or cancer. Research has reportedly shown that one in four people suffer from general fatigue.
Regularly exercising can help with both energy and fatigue.
Get Help Today
Now that you know about the benefits of exercise in sobriety and ways to help better your recovery. Contact us today about Lift Off Recovery utilizing the benefits of exercise in sobriety and more about how to make this journey a successful one.
