Breaking the cycle of addiction can be challenging for someone to experience. An addiction can completely deplete someone’s energy levels and make it that much more difficult to tackle. Thankfully, there’s techniques out there that help someone if they’re caught in a rut. One of the most effective ways is taking part in daily exercise and sports with others. Not only will a person reap the benefits of better physical and mental health, but they’ll feel stronger and more disciplined in the long run.
Form a Routine
There’s a variety of exercises out there than can help you ease out of your addiction. Even though they don’t guarantee an immediate recovery, creating a regimented schedule each day helps to develop the mental discipline that can cross over to overcoming unhealthy habits. Routines like setting a time every day to hit the gym, signing up for a weekly yoga class, or taking part in an intramural sport team is perfect to force yourself to become more active. It also forms better organization and makes a person more productive to complete their responsibilities at work or at school. There are many ways you can become active, even if you don’t like sports – hiking or even dancing also count as physical activity to improve one’s mood and mental health.
It is proven that consistent physical activity releases endorphins that elevate your mood and energy levels throughout the day. Another pro for using exercise to combat addiction is that fights the unpleasant symptoms like depression, weight gain, or restlessness that comes from easing off any strong substance. Breaking a sweat every day helps create a sense of normalcy in the body and implements a more stable cycle of sleep, hunger, and moods over a period of time.
Personal Experience with Recovery
In my experience, I dove into running for my high school’s cross country team to help ease myself out symptoms of depression I was experiencing. While they weren’t necessarily ones from a drug or other substance addiction, I felt the same low energy levels, a strong sense of hopelessness, and extreme irritability that many people often go through. I knew I needed a way to strengthen my body and was well aware of the relationship the mind and body has with each other. So, I tried out for my school’s cross country group to find people to motivate me and keep me accountable.
Over time, I was able to meet a variety of new people while staying active at the same time. My mood felt a lot more positive throughout the day with the help of my peers and coach pushing me to improve my performance. My energy levels also felt much more stable, and my awareness of my senses with every practice evolved to notice changes within my body. It goes to show that being involved with sports or any type of exercise is a perfect way to practice holistic recoveryand ignite overcoming a substance abuse.
Finding the Perfect Fit
Not everyone will pick the same path on their journey of addiction recovery and getting over substance abuse. However, establishing routine and a concrete support system who can push you along the way is needed for every successful outcome. Most importantly, your commitment to staying active will create a stronger sense of self confidence. Every time you reach a personal record, receive compliments from your class or trainer, you can more easily cope with the hardships life brings along the way. It’s no doubt a difficult and mentally challenging process, but loyally exercising for addiction recovery be done as long as discipline, motivation, and a positive spirit is maintained!
