Fitness as a Foundation for Lasting Recovery
Fitness or exercise therapy is not a new concept. But for anyone who is deep in a battle with addiction, exercise may not be a solution that quickly comes to mind. We’re here to help correct that. Remember those feel-good chemicals or endorphins that we talked about earlier?
Endorphins and other chemicals that we release when we exercise are often the same ones that are released when we take drugs. The difference is that this is a much healthier way to boost our moods and won’t cause more harm than good over time.
When you pursue an endorphin boost through exercise and movement, you earn the same emotional benefits without poisoning your body and mind. Additionally, exercise even helps reduce drug and alcohol cravings, so the more you practice a healthy routine, the easier it becomes to maintain your sobriety.
Exercising at Home vs. Programs for Fitness in Treatment
Fitness therapy is often less formal than it sounds. It may mean walking, skating, hiking, swimming, or taking a spin class. If you are looking for ways to implement the benefits of fitness therapy at home, start with the activities listed above.
If you prefer group activities, ask a friend or relative to play tennis, basketball, or another sport with you. Go on a bike ride with a loved one and end the trip with a picnic and a long talk. Exercising is as simple as moving your body.
Practice yoga, find a calisthenics routine on YouTube, dance to your favorite song, or go to the gym. And when you are ready, we offer a wide range of addiction treatments that will contribute to your wellness journey.
Inpatient Care and Fitness Therapy
Drug and alcohol abuse changes our bodies and brains over time, making it increasingly harder to make healthy choices and produce the right balance of chemicals without them. As a result, when you try to stop drinking or taking drugs, you may feel chronically unhappy.
You know that you should stop because there is no room for drug and alcohol abuse in a long, healthy life. But your withdrawal symptoms, including depression, anxiety, and drug cravings, drag you right back into your old patterns.
If this sounds familiar, it may be time to choose an inpatient rehab program. During an inpatient program, we can teach you how to use exercise or fitness therapy to produce the same chemicals your body came to depend on when substance abuse had its hold.
But even better than that is what else an inpatient program includes.