Let’s Get Moving!
Recovery is a time that can bring about increased stress, reduced energy, changes in sleeping patterns, anxious or depressed mood and many hours of idle time. As your body begins to adjust to substance free state, it undergoes numerous (sometimes unpleasant) changes. While positive in the long term, these changes can seem almost unbearable in the beginning. Finding an outlet, namely exercise or physical activity, will assist in decreasing these feelings.
The path to recovery requires the whole body. Physical and mental health are more connected than we realize, and while the benefits of exercise on physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health are well known for everyone, what is the connection that exists between exercise and addiction recovery? Brain chemistry is altered during exercise and increases mood enhancement and endorphin release. During recovery, your body and mind can crave the high you were used to experiencing during addiction. Exercise can produce a similar sensation. The high felt from exercising might be different and slightly less intense than the high felt from drugs or alcohol, but it acts as a natural, pleasurable replacement in recovery and dedication to a physical activity will help you become accustomed to the natural levels of endorphins in your system. The outcome…you will realize how enjoyable exercising is and it can inspire you to develop a positive addiction to it. Being active will nourish the mind and body and restore the connection between the two.
Beyond endorphin release, physical activing increases self-esteem, self-confidence, optimism, productivity, provides structure and routine and fills your time and thoughts. As with any new activity, it can be scary and your fitness journey will be no different, but remember, starting is the hardest part. Once you start you will realize that the more you do it, the better you get at it and the more comfortable you become. You will start to feel yourself becoming stronger, both mentally and physically, which fosters a sense of accomplishment, pride, self-worth and reinforces your ability to meet the challenges you face daily and meet your goals.
One of the biggest benefits of exercising is better sleep quality. Addiction disrupts body processes, including sleep patterns, which can cause difficulty falling or staying asleep. Without proper sleep, we aren’t able to function at our highest capacity, which is crucial in making the best choices for ourselves. As the body returns to a nourished and balanced state, exercise helps restore a normal sleep cycle, which, when well rested, gives you more energy to enjoy your life.
If you haven’t exercised before or it’s been quite some time, start small, such as going for a walk every day to see how you feel. Maybe go somewhere that is peaceful for you, like the beach or a park, so that it is also a time of reflection. You can then build your way up to find what you like to do and what workout is best for you. You might have to try several different activities before you find the one, but by experimenting with different workouts, you’ll figure out what aspects of exercise you enjoy most and which form is right for you.
As always, everybody’s path to recovery is different and everybody has a different form of physical activity they like to do. That is the beautiful thing about exercise, there is no one way to work out and you get to choose what works for you.
Working out with someone like minded, will push you, encourage you, hold you accountable, and motivate you. I will be that person to get you started and introduce you to activities and people who all have the same goals...to live a long healthy life. This outlet allows you to refocus your thoughts, clear your mind, focus on your well-being, challenge yourself, step outside of your comfort zone, feel rejuvenated, boost your mood and develop a dedication to it. Watch how quickly this becomes a part of your everyday life. You will be unstoppable. Now let’s get moving! xoxo