Staying Active During Addiction Recovery

by | Feb 14, 2023 | Alcohol Recovery | 0 comments

Recovery in an ongoing process. It’s why keeping active during addiction recovery is crucial. Addiction recovery is never easy, but there are ways to make it just a little bit easier. One of the most important things that you can do is keep your mind and body active. This may seem like common sense, but it’s actually something that a lot of people forget about. In this post, we will discuss the benefits of staying active and how it can help you through the journey of addiction recovery!

Tips on Staying Active During Addiction Recovery

Taking the time to engage in regular exercise can do wonders for your mind and body! Physical activity helps your body to detoxify itself, eliminating harmful toxins through sweat. It also reduces stress levels, which can help to improve your mood and prevent depression. Regular exercise releases endorphins which boost energy levels and increase feelings of happiness and accomplishment. So, don’t feel bad about taking a few moments here or there (or a full hour or two!) out of your day to hit the gym or take a walk – you’ll thank yourself later!

Get Regular Exercise

Start Light

Starting small is often a sensible approach when it comes to taking on a new exercise routine. Whether you’re looking to build strength, lose weight or just generally stay active, it’s always beneficial to ease into any physical activity. Taking things slowly and gradually increasing the intensity of your workouts will likely help you make better progress as well as reduce the risk of injury.

For example, if you plan on taking up running, you’d be better off starting with short jogs and periodically increasing the length and speed at which you run rather than simply going all-out from day one. So remember, take it easy to start out and then build up over time!

Take Fitness Classes

Take Fitness Classes

Joining a sports team or participating in group fitness classes is a great way to stay active, relieve stress, and make new friends. Why not find something you enjoy doing, like ultimate frisbee or spin class? It’s always more fun when you can do it with an amazing group of people who share the same interests as you – especially after a hard day at work. Facing tough physical challenges together helps build trust and camaraderie among teammates and can bring communities together. Whether it’s pushing your limits on a long run or celebrating with your team after scoring a goal, nothing quite beats the feeling of accomplishment that comes with being part of something bigger than yourself.

Layer-in Healthy Dieting

Eating a healthy diet is essential in order to fuel your body and maintain your health. Eating a balanced mix of fruits, vegetables, proteins, and grains will ensure that you are getting all of the nutrients needed for proper functioning. Eating right doesn’t have to be difficult – try picking a small goal and take it one step at a time.

Layer-in Healthy Dieting

Instead of drastically altering all your meals overnight, start by replacing sugary snacks with healthier alternatives like fruits or nuts. It’s OK to treat yourself from time to time – the key is finding a balance between indulging and eating healthier alternatives. Start taking small steps today towards creating and maintaining a healthy diet that can fuel your body for years to come!

Get Enough Sleep

Sleep is essential for overall wellness – both mental and physical. In our busy lives, it often seems like there isn’t enough time to dedicate to restful sleep, however experts report that consistently prioritizing sleep can make you more productive during the day. Sleep restores the body and mind, de-stressing and repairing damage from everyday activities including work, exercise and even just existing.

Getting a good night’s sleep has been linked to better moods, higher performance at school or work, improved immune system functioning to fight off illnesses, and generally feeling healthier over all. As such, trying to get a healthy 8-9 hours of sleep each night will do wonders in helping your body recover so you can tackle whatever challenges come your way!

Find “Sober” Hobbies

Find “Sober” Hobbies

Kick the habit and kick start your fun – trying out new activities without alcohol can be a great way to challenge yourself and boost productivity. People are starting to get “sober curious.” Finding fun things to do sober doesn’t have to be a drag; you could take up yoga, learn a language, take an online course, get creative in the kitchen or join a book club. The options are nearly endless. Give it a go and discover how much you can accomplish with sobriety – chances are you’ll enjoy yourself more than you thought!

Journaling or Talking

Taking care of yourself emotionally can be a challenge, but it’s so important to do. There are lots of ways to make sure your mental health is given the attention and care it needs. One great way is journaling – writing down your thoughts on paper can help you process them, organize them better, and reveal new insights into yourself.

Or try talking to someone you trust – whether it’s a family member, friend, counselor, or mentor – having an open dialogue with someone who understands can really help you feel more connected and less overwhelmed. Don’t forget that taking care of your emotional wellbeing is a sign of strength – and part of living your best life!

Eat Healthy Foods

Eating healthy foods is one of the best things we can do to help our bodies heal and stay fit. Not only do they have the right combinations of vitamins and minerals, but the right nutrients found in the right amounts can be great medicine for our minds and spirits as well. Fruits and vegetables are especially important, not just as snacks but as part of a larger eating plan.

Eating healthy is an excellent way to get your body all the essential vitamins and minerals it needs to perform its optimal functions and help with both short-term and long-term healing. So don’t be afraid to eat your veggies; not only will you nourish your body, but you’ll give yourself a huge helping hand when it comes to healing and staying strong.

Water

Staying hydrated

Staying hydrated is important for your health, and drinking plenty of water is the best way to do that. Water helps to flush out toxins, so having enough of it helps keep your body running smoothly. Being dehydrated can cause fatigue, headaches, and muscle cramps, so having enough of this nutrient-rich liquid is essential if you want to feel your best. Drinking at least eight glasses of water a day is recommended to ensure proper hydration. So make sure you’re refilling your bottle often and always have some nearby!

Avoid Triggers

It’s important to be aware of what your triggers are and do your best to avoid them. This means staying away from people and places that could lead you down a bad path and putting yourself in situations where using substances is more likely.

One of the most important things to keep in mind is to steer clear of old friends who still drink or use drugs, as it can be far too tempting to fall into old habits when you’re surrounded by those who are still immersed in the lifestyle. Take small steps towards recovery by making new relationships and choosing positive environments that will only encourage your determination and hard work.

High-Risk Situations

Avoiding high-risk situations can be a tough task, especially when you are among friends and family or in other social gatherings. It can be tempting to want to give in—especially when you’re feeling vulnerable or start getting nostalgic—but standing your ground is the best way to avoid relapse.

There’s no harm in going out, but it’s important to take care of yourself and know where your boundaries should lie. Make sure you give yourself plenty of pep talks, bring someone along that can help keep you on track, and make sure not to get too carried away with anything that may take you back down the wrong path.

Illuminate Helps with Relapse Prevention and Addiction Recovery

Addiction recovery is never easy, but keep your mind and body active. If you’re having a tough time recovering from something and don’t seem to be able to make the progress you want on your own, it might be time to reach out for professional help. A good therapist or counselor can provide invaluable insight in difficult situations and help to deter you from unhelpful habits.

Illuminate Recovery PHP and IOP Services in Scottsdale, Arizona

In conclusion, staying sober after you’ve beat addiction is a matter of living a healthy lifestyle and avoiding triggers. Exercise, healthy eating, and hobbies can help take your mind off drugs or alcohol and improve your mood. If you find yourself struggling to stay clean, seek professional help so that you can get back on track. At Illuminate Recovery, we have an established relapse prevention program that has helped countless people in your shoes.


Sources:

  1. Linke, S. E., & Ussher, M. (2014). Exercise-based treatments for substance use disorders: evidence, theory, and practicality. The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, 41(1), 7–15.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4831948/
  2. Abrantes, A. M., Battle, C. L., Strong, D. R., Ing, E., Dubreuil, M. E., Gordon, A., & Brown, R. A. (2011). Exercise preferences of patients in substance abuse treatment. Mental Health and Physical Activity, 4(2), 79–87.  https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3224086/
  3. Zhang, Z., & Liu, X. (2022). A Systematic Review of Exercise Intervention Program for People With Substance Use Disorder. Frontiers in Psychiatry, 13. https://doi.org/10.3389/fpsyt.2022.817927
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