Each year more than 21 million Americans will be affected by drug and alcohol addiction. Substance abuse is nearly impossible to overcome on your own but with the help of treatment programs, sobriety is possible.
Like other medical conditions such as diabetes, hypertension, and depression, diet and exercise can be beneficial in overcoming addiction. At Laguna View Detox, we stress the importance of giving our clients plenty of opportunities to exercise. Addiction affects the mind and body, and we encourage our clients to adopt a healthy lifestyle in sobriety. Healthy clients are happy clients.
Why is Exercise Beneficial for Those in Addiction Recovery?
One of the primary hallmarks of addictions is drug or alcohol cravings. These urges are strongest within the first few months of sobriety. A combination of time and treatment can help them go away. To help combat these cravings, we introduce exercise into a client’s everyday regimen. Exercise is a great distraction and productive hobby our clients can engage in for the rest of their lives. The exercise routine they adopt during treatment can easily be taken home with them. Aside from the physical benefits of exercise that our clients enjoy, there are mental and emotional benefits as well.
Better Sleep
Exercise improves your sleep in several ways. It promotes a better, deeper sleep, which is extremely restorative. Deeper, more restful sleep boosts your immune system, supports cardiac health, and controls stress & anxiety. In addition to improving the quality of your sleep, exercise increases the duration of your sleep. When you exercise, you expend energy, which makes you feel more tired and ready to rest at the end of the day. A good night’s sleep is an amazing way to start a new day.
Improved Focus
Exercise helps your body to trigger endorphins which are chemicals in your brain that reduce your perception of pain and increase the positive feelings in your brain. After you exercise, you’ll find it easier to block distractions from your mind which improves concentration. Maintaining sobriety is a lot of work and the more concentrated you are on your recovery, the better off you are.
It Can Turn Into a Hobby
Exercise is a fantastic hobby. It can be done anytime, anywhere, and it’s something you can always improve on. At Laguna View Detox we want to set our clients up for success. After they stop using substances, it’s important for our clients to find joy in life again. Exercise is something we can encourage during treatment and they can take it home with them. It’s an activity they can do alone or with friends. They can set goals and challenge themselves in a healthy way.
We Want to Help
If you or a loved one have a problem with drugs and alcohol, contact us at Laguna View Detox. Exercise is just one of the many methods we use to help our clients discover a new and healthier way of life. We give our clients all the tools to be happy and get their life back. Give us a call – your new life awaits you!