Fitness programs for addiction recovery: What to look for

To live a healthy and good life, you should treat your mind, spirit and body. This is especially true while dealing with addiction treatment. People who have witnessed their health deteriorate from the use of alcohol or drugs can address the balance by starting a new fitness program. They might also make getting fit a vital part of their addiction treatment in luxury rehab California.

When we exercise, dopamine and serotonin are released by our body which are the neurotransmitters responsible for controlling the brain’s reward center. Drinking alcohol enhances the serotonin and dopamine in the brain which gives a good feeling for the short term. 

When you start drinking too much and frequently, your body starts adjusting to those levels which means your happy feelings are only achieved when you drink. And even worse, your brain will have built up a tolerance level for which you require more alcohol to sustain that feeling. This is the major reason why most people with alcohol addiction suffer from problems like anxiety and depression.

Fitness programs & exercises for addiction

Here are a few things that your fitness training program should have:

Walking

Whether hiking in the countryside or just strolling in the park, walking is one of the low-impact exercises that is best for recovery. Detox can make you feel tired and down which implies it’s good to start slow. It offers you the health and mood-lifting advantages of remaining outside in nature and walking is one such highly recommended exercise.

  • You can start with 30 minutes of walking in the first week
  • Then add 15 mins two times a week
  • Never rush and try enjoying your walk
  • It’s good if you can take a supportive friend 

Yoga, Meditation and Pilates

Addiction and mental health problems go together for several people in recovery. Yoga, Pilates and meditation classes like tai-chi can help in getting a better feel. These exercises get more challenging as you get along.

Running

When you include running in your fitness training program, it provides you with all the advantages of walking, sunshine, and nature along with a cardio workout. It is good to do it after getting approval from your doctor for exercise as it is one of the high-impact sports. Running is also one of the loved hobbies for a lot of people and one of the best ways to meet some new healthy and sober companions.

  • First, warm up for about 5-10 minutes
  • Run as far as you are comfortable
  • Build each day by running for 5 minutes more running
  • Do not pressurize yourself and when you can’t, you can choose to walk instead

Indoor swimming

Another low-impact exercise that also helps in releasing serotonin and dopamine is swimming. This is one of the best ways to start exercising after recovering from drug addiction. It is not only relaxing but also helps in relieving the body strain.

Wild swimming

This offers health as well as mood benefits. When you are outside, it lifts your mood and the cool water also creates a response that helps people in dealing with conditions starting from chronic pain to depression. 

Start in the month of summer

  • You can take a swimming buddy
  • Start slow with just dipping for 2-3 months
  • Safety should be your priority

Tips for the fitness training program

  1. While using the gymnasium at rehab centers such as Luxury Rehab California, you should be closely supervised for your safety. With medical detox, it is important to wait to make use of exercise equipment until completion. Safety is always the priority. Initially, walking is good but slowly your body gets adapted to walking for which your body will want a more rigorous routine. Tennis, horse riding and treadmills are some of the best ways to exercise and develop new hobbies. 
  2. Doing stretching before these exercises is also important as it helps in enhancing and maintaining varied movements in the joints. It also supports the whole process of recovery by enhancing circulation and reducing muscle tension.
  3. When your body recovers from drug addiction, it is one of the rejuvenating experiences as your physical systems function together. It helps to strengthen, stretch, hydrate, gain confidence and many more things. It also helps in developing enhanced functional movements and the capability to enhance daily activities with reduced pain or discomfort. The outcome is a good ability to enjoy walking, and complete sports-specific motions with ease.
  4. When you have a fitness program that works best for you, such as one that taxes your whole system and allows your body to enjoy a rejuvenating experience of having every physical system working together, you will never wish to stop it. Then maintaining good health, energy and posture slowly becomes your life habit.
  5. Indeed, a fitness training program can’t be the sole treatment for drug addiction, but with regular exercise, you get immense benefits during and after drug addiction treatment in a luxury rehab California. Exercising along with other forms of treatment, produces protective effects in addiction recovery which is associated with neurobiological and behavioral outcomes of physical activity.
  6. On arriving at any recovery center, a therapist assesses the addiction nature and mental health status. A team for treatment will then generate a specific treatment plan made to meet your requirements. If you want to add a fitness training program to your addiction recovery program, then it’s important to discuss it with your therapist.

Conclusion

Every rehab is different. While some have a fitness program with gyms on-site or outside the courts which you can make use of at designated times, others have a leisure therapist or any personal trainer for offering fitness-based workshops. 

You can contact addiction experts who can assist you in finding the best addiction treatment center for your requirements. Break yourself free from all kinds of harmful substances and learn some novel ways to live a good life free from drugs.

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