Stay Sober: 7 Key Benefits of Exercise in Sobriety

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About 20.1 million Americans 12 or older had a substance use disorder in the span of a year. Prolonged drug or alcohol use can have a lasting and sometimes permanent impact on the body. For example, your immune system could weaken.

You could become vulnerable to illness or infection as a result.

Your heart, liver, lung, and brain health can take a hit, too.

Instead of letting the effects linger, consider the importance of exercise in sobriety. You can strengthen your body and start healing.

In fact, exercise could make it easier for you to maintain your sobriety long-term.

Why exercise to stay sober? Keep reading to find out. In this guide, we’ll review the seven benefits of working up a sweat for sobriety.

Read on to learn more!

1. Heal the Mind and Body

Remember, prolonged drug and alcohol use can impact every major organ. Regular exercise could help you repair some of that damage. You can strengthen your mind and body by working out.

Exercising regularly can help reduce your risk of future health concerns as well. In fact, an exercise routine could protect your body from:

Some cancers
Type 2 diabetes
Metabolic syndrome
Cardiovascular disease

At the same time, you can start controlling your weight and strengthening muscle and bone. Exercising can benefit your mental health and mood, too.

As you get older, you’ll find it’s more difficult to complete daily activities. Exercising could help. It can increase your chances of living longer as well.

Why exercise to stay sober? It can increase your longevity!

You can live a long, happy life drug- and alcohol-free.

2. Find a Healthy Distraction

When considering the importance of exercise in sobriety, take a moment to think about your routine. During drug rehabilitation, there’s a plan for almost every second of the day. Establishing a routine can help distract you from substance cravings.

Exercising can work as a healthy distraction, too.

The next time you feel an itch, head outside instead. Exercising can distract you from your addiction.

You can keep yourself busy before you fall into old habits.

Explore different exercises. Then, make it a part of your daily routine.

Exercising can give your serotonin levels a boost. You can exercise a runner’s high and enjoy exercising.

Exercising is a great, productive coping mechanism. You can keep yourself busy and avoid any cravings. Instead, you can make a positive change with your long-term health in mind.

3. Improve Your Mood

Intense emotions like depression, disappointment, and exhaustion could encourage someone toward substance abuse. You don’t need drugs or alcohol to cope with a bad mood, though. Instead, use cardio and start working up a sweat.

Getting your heart pumping can benefit your physical and mental health.

Exercising stimulates chemical production in the brain. The neurotransmitters you produce can improve your mood. Improving your biochemistry can help you avoid negative feelings.

In fact, many people who are suffering from depression have a brain chemistry problem. Exercising can ease depression symptoms by stimulating feel-good chemicals.

These neurotransmitters include serotonin, dopamine, norepinephrine, and endorphins. Neurotransmitters are responsible for producing a runner’s high.

The next time you’re feeling down, don’t reach for your substance of choice to cope. Instead, think about how exercise helps you stay sober. You can boost neurotransmitter production and boost your mood.

Some people suffer from depression in addition to substance use disorder.

Depression is associated with a lack of serotonin. Without serotonin, you could experience issues sleeping and anxiety. Other symptoms include weakened bone health, reduced libido, and memory issues.

If you have a dual diagnosis, start working out. Boosting serotonin production can help you feel emotionally stable. You can improve your focus as well.

Exercising to improve your mood could decrease your cravings.

4. Ease Stress Away

Everyone experiences a little stress from time to time. Too much stress, however, can impact your physical and mental health. In fact, too much cortisol can lead to:

Memory and concentration issues
Heart disease
Headaches
Anxiety and depression
Weight gain
Problems with digestion
Trouble sleeping

Stress could trigger you to use drugs or alcohol.

Exercising can help your body produce neurotransmitters, which could ease your stress.

Otherwise, your stress levels will only build. It could have a negative, lasting impact on your body as a result.

The next time you’re feeling stressed, remember the effects of exercise in sobriety. Working up a sweat can help.

5. Find Support

You don’t have to work out alone. Instead, invite friends, family, and other members of your support system.

Exercising is a great way to remain social. Surrounding yourself with support can help ease your stress and anxiety. Your support system can help keep you motivated, too.

At the same time, you can use exercise as a way to mend any broken bridges.

Invite your support system out for a run. Working out together can benefit your relationships and health.

6. Rest Easy

Are you struggling to get enough sleep each night? Remember, stress could impact your ability to fall asleep. You could experience other physical and mental health issues as a result.

Your body needs sleep to heal from the day.

Working out can help you feel pleasantly exhausted after a long day. As you exercise, your body will heat up. It will need to cool at a faster rate as a result.

As your body cools, it could help you fall asleep.

Getting enough sleep each night is important to your sobriety. Otherwise, you might experience fatigue, irritability, or stress. Instead, start exercising to stay sober.

7. Reduce Addictive Behaviors

Understanding the connection between exercise and sobriety can benefit your sobriety long-term. In fact, it could reduce addictive behaviors. Exercising could increase abstinence rates and reduce withdrawal symptoms.

The next time you experience a craving, head outside for a jog instead. Exercising can help you curb your cravings, allowing you to maintain your sobriety.

Exercise in Sobriety, Get Help Today

Understanding the importance of exercise in sobriety could help you stay sober. Keep these seven benefits of regular exercise in mind. With regular exercise, you can improve your mental and physical health, as well as your longevity.

Enjoy a long, healthy life by working up a sweat today!

Looking for a peaceful, healing environment where you can focus on your recovery? Help for addiction is available at Wellness Retreat.