Exercise isn’t always the most desired activity for many people, but previous research has highlighted the innumerable health benefits that can derive from it. Not only can exercise relieve stress, better a person’s mood, increase flexibility and strength, but it can also host many benefits that relate specifically to addiction recovery.
Those who struggle with addiction tend to experience a sense of imbalance that can affect nearly every aspect of their lives, even throughout that first year in recovery. Nicoletta Longo, founder of Namastay Sober – a non-profit organization that aims to help people in recovery get connected to local gyms and yoga classes – told Tonic, an extension of Vice Magazine,
“Your chemistry is all off when you stop using. When I was on heroin, I’d have to pound Mountain Dew and Pepsi and coffee and a bunch of cigarettes just to go to bed. Physical action helps regulate my body – I get really exhausted, and it helps me feel like I did something positive, too.”
Self Magazine emphasizes many benefits that come with exercise for those practicing sobriety, such as:
- The ability to connect with others in a like-minded community
- Rebuilding one’s self-esteem while feeling accomplished
- Discovering one’s sense of purpose and re-creating one’s sense of identity
- Finding a healthy outlet to cope with challenges and difficult emotions
- Accountability towards an exercise community can ensure that a person reaches their recovery goals
The reality is that when you feel better, you’re likely to take greater strides towards your overall health and wellness. Exercise supports that notion by keeping you actively involved in your own recovery – and the persistence, patience and determination required to stay active can translate into other areas of your life, which is always a benefit, too.
Cumberland Heights is a nonprofit alcohol and drug addiction treatment center located on the banks of the Cumberland River in Nashville, Tennessee. On a sprawling 177-acre campus, we are made up of two 12-Step immersion campuses, 12 outpatient recovery centers and 4 sober living homes. We believe that each person has a unique story to tell – and that’s why we always put the patient first. For more information, call 1-800-646-9998 today.
