Millions of Americans struggle with substance use disorders. In addition to those struggling with addiction to drugs or alcohol, other people have behavioral addictions, such as addictions to binge eating, sex, gambling, and risky behavior.
People who are in recovery are focused on getting healthy. This refers to more than stopping behavior related to their addiction. It can also mean adopting a healthy lifestyle to improve mental and physical health.
Why a Healthy Lifestyle Matters
A healthy lifestyle can help reinforce a pattern of good choices. If you are a recovering alcoholic or drug addict, you may have contracted HIV or hepatitis, or damaged your liver. You may also be at risk of developing cancer or heart disease.
Individuals who have struggled with gambling or video game addictions may have adopted a sedentary lifestyle. Those who have binge eating disorders may struggle with food choices and volume. If their binge eating disorder is combined with bulimia, they may lack nutrients in their system, and their heart, muscles, and pancreas may be damaged.
Chances are, your addiction has adversely affected your lifestyle and contributed to short-term or long-term health issues. You can start to correct the damage by adopting healthy lifestyle choices.
Benefits of Exercise
Exercise can provide structure to your routine. It can also help you establish a specific, attainable goal you can concentrate on. Instead of thinking about overcoming your addiction, when you’re exercising, you can think about increasing the distance of your walks or the time you spend doing yoga.
Exercise also triggers the release of endorphins, which are hormones that cause people to feel good. When endorphins are released into your brain, they can boost your confidence and reduce anxiety.
A good exercise routine also emphasizes the importance of self-care, which can bolster your sense of self-worth, which can motivate you when you’re struggling with your addiction.
Initiating an Exercise Plan
Make sure you have comfortable clothing, such as black jeggings from Chico’s, when you start your workout routine. Jeggings are flexible and allow you to move without feeling constrained. When you can move freely, you will feel at ease when you start exercising.
Invest in suitable footwear that fits your heel snugly. This will ensure your foot is supported while you exercise. You may need more than one pair of shoes if you plan to engage in different sporting activities. Your workout shoes will last longer and be better suited to your activities if you switch footwear when necessary.
Start with small goals. If you haven’t had an exercise routine in several months, focus on low-impact activities such as walking. Gradually increase the length of time you spend exercising. Add cardiovascular exercises to your routine slowly. You may want to focus on lifting weight to rebuild muscle that may have been damaged or lost due to your addiction.
Benefits of Good Nutrition
A good diet can restore essential nutrients that may have been depleted because of your addiction. Your mental health also benefits from omega-3 fatty acids. Consuming healthy foods can help prevent depression, which could trigger a relapse of your addiction.
Eating healthy can also help you manage your weight. If you have struggled with an addiction to video games, you may have gained weight due to a lack of physical activity. Eating balanced, nutritious meals can help you lose weight, which can also reduce your risk of depression.
Getting Treatment
Although some people can address their addiction independently, most individuals need external support. One of the reasons for this is that their home environment may be a trigger for addictive behaviors.
Suppose you’re struggling to break the cycle of addiction. In that case, you can enter a treatment center, such as CA Drug Rehab, which offers several programs designed to help individuals overcome their addiction. Solution Based Treatment and Detox has inpatient and outpatient programs customized to each person’s specific needs. Goals are individualized, which means each person can work on addressing targets relevant to their specific situation. Individuals who need to detox are monitored by medical staff, which ensures their safety.
While individuals may initiate their treatment process with CA Drug Rehab, they can also resume treatment to prevent a relapse. Individuals with religious beliefs can opt for a faith-based recovery program. Those who opt for hospitalization as part of their recovery program can take advantage of the sports competitions and outings arranged by the treatment center.
