Addiction to alcohol or drugs takes large chunks of time out of your life. Now that you’ve successfully completed a rehabilitation treatment program, you’ll find you have a lot more time on your hands. In order to not fall back into unhealthy habits that could pose a risk to your sobriety, filling this new space in your life should involve something healthy and positive. When combined with behavioral therapy, 12-Step programs, and other treatment modalities, exercise is proven effective at helping individuals during rehab. So, why not continue a fitness regimen to keep your recovery goals on track?

Below, you’ll learn how exercise can transform you physically, socially, and mentally during your new life in recovery as well as a list of ideas on how to stick with an exercise program, even as the days grow shorter during the colder months.

Exercise and Your Sobriety – It Really Does Help 

The Mental Benefits

Performing exercise, in any fashion, has been clinically proven to help heal your brain as well as your physical body, especially after rehab. Mentally, fitness has been shown to help with focus, anxiety, depression, sleep issues, and improve your overall mood. Exercise also boosts endorphins (our bodies natural “feel good” chemicals) which helps in decreasing stress and relieving pain. In terms of our brain, physical activity stimulates the release of dopamine, a neurotransmitter that is often depleted by abusing alcohol or drugs. The U.S. Library of Medicine and National Institute of Health published a study showing that exercise was shown to increase serum calcium levels which are then transported to the brain. This exchange enhances brain dopamine synthesis, increases dopamine levels, and reduces blood pressure. 

Your Physical Health

After rehab, you physically may still feel tired as drugs and alcohol can take a major toll on your heart. Researchers have found that most drugs can have adverse cardiovascular effects, ranging from abnormal heart rate to heart attack. Injection drug use can also lead to cardiovascular problems such as collapsed veins and bacterial infections of the blood vessels and heart valves (National Institute on Drug Abuse). And depending upon your drug of choice and length of addiction, your body may have lost quite a bit of muscle mass. For example, consuming large amounts of alcohol can damage your gastrointestinal tract, which then decreases the body’s ability to absorb and utilize vitamins, minerals and other nutrients from food. Exercise, especially lifting weights, along with balanced nutrition, can help build muscle mass, improve circulation and cardiovascular function, and increase energy. Regular fitness has also been shown to help reduce cravings, preventing a potential relapse. 

Structure and a Social Outlet

As stated before, addiction to alcohol or drugs can take up a lot of time. Now that you’ve completed a treatment program, your days need structure in order to keep true to your sobriety. A set workout routine not only helps you look and feel great, but it fills a void left by addiction. It also gives you an excuse to leave any situation that could prove to challenge your sobriety. Moreover, joining a gym or fitness class provides a sense of community and chances are most people who work out tend to live a healthy and active lifestyle, making it a little easier to find new friends who will support your life in sobriety.

Winter Is Coming

The days are getting shorter, and the air is crisp. So what kind of exercises or fitness program can help you stay sober and motivated during the fall and winter months? Here are a few exercise ideas and tips to help you stick with an exercise regiment, stay healthy, and keep you on the road sobriety. 

Just Go Outside

Going for a walk, hike, or jog is easy and inexpensive to do, and even in the cooler months can prove to keep you sober and sane. The cold air increases your immune system and if you live in areas with lots of snow and ice, get a pair of crampons to attach to your sneakers. These help keep you from slipping on the ice and offer traction when running or walking on snowy days. If you live near hills or mountains, you can even do a little snowshoeing, ice climbing, skiing, or cross country skiing to keep fit. This is your new life – so get outside and try something different!

Get a Workout Partner

To get your out of bed on those cold winter mornings – you may need major incentives. Having a workout buddy for the winter season (or any season) is great way to get your exercise routine in, get social, and keep accountable.

Different Season, Different Goals

Now that the season’s are changing – it’s time to shake things up and break from your old workout routine. A new fitness class, dance class, or other physical activity will help you to meet new people, hold your interest, prevent burn-out, and keep you motivated to get moving. You may also want to set a fitness goal for the coming months. You may decide to run a half-marathon or enter some kind of fitness competition, whatever the goal – you’ll definitely be encouraged to stick with it, even in the coldest winter months. 

The bottom line is that fitness can be a vital part of your sobriety, and during the cooler months – it can prove to be invaluable. Just take those first steps and get out there! Here at The Kimberly Center, we offer a variety of recovery programs and treatment modalities that are designed to help our clients successfully treat their substance use disorders and addiction. We work with our clients on an individual basis to help them focus on what they need to begin their road towards recovery and transition into a new life of sobriety. Call us today to begin 855-4-KCENTER (855-452-3683).