Scientific evidence links exercise to a massive contribution to addiction recovery in rehab, including pain relief, reducing inflammation, and as a muscle relaxant.
Think of rehabilitation as a holistic approach to recovery and exercise as an instrumental part of the process. A holistic approach must target the mind, body, and soul.
Rehab exercises help prevent falls, boost sleep quality, improve mood, and reduce anxiety and fatigue. Read on to learn more about the role of exercise in rehab. Alternatively, click here if you would like to consult a specialist.
Prevent Relapse
Indulging in regular movements during rehab is a powerful way to avoid going back to alcohol and drug use. It can alleviate absence levels by 95%, according to studies. It also helps manage typical causes of relapse, such as:
- Stress
- Anxiety, and
- Depression.
All these contribute to substance use.
Exercise Improves Mood
Exercising during addiction recovery triggers your brain to release endorphins, a group of hormones responsible for inducing feelings of happiness and well-being.
The addiction recovery phase tends to trigger mood swings. Drugs can initiate the feel-good state, but only artificially. Exercise strengthens your body to adapt naturally to new circumstances.
You can initiate a positive change in mood by scheduling 30 minutes of exercise daily.
Reduce Stress
Stress is a significant problem during rehab and frequently leads to relapse unless well-managed. Exercise is a powerful means to reduce and control stress. In addition, regular body movements enhance blood circulation and trigger the body to release endorphins, the feel-good hormones. All these elements play a significant role in combatting stress.
Strong Immune System
Apart from reducing stress, exercise strengthens the immune system. It helps the body combat fatal conditions like:
- Stroke
- Cancer
- Diabetes
- Osteoporosis,
- Depression, and
- Heart disease.
Good Sleep
Sleep irregularity is common during addiction recovery. That’s why most rehab patients fall back to drug and alcohol use, hoping it can resolve their restlessness. However, if you exercise regularly at such moments, you can improve your sleep quality and quantity.
Our body and mind gradually restore their normal state during rehab, and most people (according to studies) restore their sleep schedule through exercise.
High Energy
Rehab makes some people tired and lethargic. Indulging in regular exercise helps them restore their former state. Activities like swimming, bicycling, and running expend significant energy, but they empower your body to generate greater energy.
Boost Self-Image
People in recovery tend to despise their self-image and develop low self-esteem. It makes recovery on their part hard. Most recovering addicts often report thoughts of unworthiness and hopelessness as major causes of relapse.
Scheduling daily exercises can help rehab patients feel healthy and alive again, regardless of their recovery state.
Overall Wellness is Crucial
Treating alcohol/drug addiction is hardly sufficient for recovery. Complete recovery calls for a holistic, comprehensive approach. It must be tailored to a patient’s unique case, and exercise plays a crucial role in the recovery journey.
