Exercise is something most Americans should be aiming to do more of, but recovering addicts are particularly likely to benefit from a physical fitness routine. Indeed, an increasing number of recovery programs are incorporating exercise and physical fitness into their model, based on extensive academic, scientific, and anecdotal evidence of its power. If you are still skeptical about how useful putting on a pair of sneakers could be in kicking your habit, you need to find out more about the many ways fitness helps with addiction recovery.

Fitness and Emotional Triggers

One of the most important ways that fitness helps with addiction recovery is by alleviating the emotional triggers that often lead to relapse. These include:
Stress - Possibly the most important emotional trigger for relapse. Exercise has been shown to alleviate stress both in the short run (feeling more relaxed after strenuous exercise) and in the long run (your body being able to better process stress signals in general) Loneliness - Addiction can leave people feeling isolated, which is why so many recovery programs focus on group counseling. Group exercise classes, such as this running group for recovering addicts in New York, give you an opportunity to socialize and bond with other people who have the same goals. Boredom - A regular exercise commitment gives you something to fill the empty hours where you may be more likely to relapse.

Fitness and Mental Health

The benefits of exercise on mental health are extensive and well-recorded. According to British mental health charity MQ, people who exercised regularly were likely to experience less depression, anxiety, anger and, of course, stress. Given the high rate of comorbidity between depressive and substance abuse disorders, this could mean an invaluable source of support for a recovering addict who is also dealing with mental health issues.
If this is the case for you, do bear in mind that you may need more than just exercise. Talk to your doctor about any symptoms you have been experiencing. They may recommend medical treatment, and you should not be worried about this. Most psychiatric drugs are not addictive and will not interfere with your recovery.

Fitness and Self-Esteem

Exercise can also help people with self-esteem. It is a great way to set yourself achievable goals and fulfill them, giving you a satisfying sense of progress and performance. Not to mention that regular fitness combined with an overall healthy routine is likely to improve your body image.

Fitness and A Healthy Routine

According to Business Insider, exercise is recognized as a keystone habit. Keystone habits, when successfully implemented, start affecting other areas of your life. People who exercise more often tend to sleep more, eat better and perform better at work.
This is because regular exercise helps you get in the right mindset for an overall healthy routine. This is essential for effective addiction recovery, as it provides a solid foundation for making good choices.
 
The Best Types of Exercise for Recovery

There is no right answer for which exercises are most useful for recovery. Choose anything that makes you sweat a bit (or a lot!) that you enjoy doing and that fits your schedule and budget.
Walking is a great option because most people can go for a walk around their block or in a local park, regardless of fitness level. If you want something more challenging, look for cardio workouts including running, cycling and any form of aerobics. Ideally, you would combine this with strength training.

Though fitness is not a solution to the challenges of addiction recovery, it can be a great source of support or - at the very least - an effective distraction. A fitness routine gives you a set of achievable goals to fulfill, while doing wonders for your physical and mental health. As your fitness improves, you will start to feel more in control of your body and your decisions, which will ultimately help you to stay on the right path.


Jason Lewis