There is significant evidence that exercise can be incredibly helpful in coping with addiction and addiction triggers such as stress, depression, and negative feelings. At a luxury rehab like Rehab Melbourne Private, we believe an exercise program is a highly beneficial aspect of an addiction recovery program. Below we look at the reasons why.
Exercise Helps With Stress Reduction
Stress is a big contributor to relapses. Studies have shown that when you are stressed, you are more likely to consume more alcohol. One proven way of reducing cortisol, the hormone that triggers stress, is to engage in physical activity. Working out helps your body release the feel-good endorphins in your brain boosting your circulation and, in turn, reducing stress levels. It can be as simple as a brisk walk out of doors.
A Good Night’s Sleep
When you are trying to recover from addiction, it’s common to have problems getting sleep. Some people resort to alcohol and other drugs because they believe it can help them get to sleep when they are struggling.
Studies show that doing as little as 30 minutes of intense exercise every day can improve your sleep each night. Exercise helps to restore a normal sleep schedule when you are trying to recover from addiction. When you opt for drug counselling, your therapist will often advise you to engage in daily exercise to improve your sleep.
Mood Enhancer
How you feel mentally and emotionally is important when trying to recover from addiction. Drug use can impact your body’s ability to produce feel-good hormones such as dopamine and endorphins. This is something exercise can help with. When you exercise, your body releases feel-good chemicals to the brain that make you feel gratified and happy. In fact, by just adding 30 minutes of daily exercise to your routine, you can change your moods for the better, aiding in your recovery process.
Increased Energy
Sometimes when you are trying to recover from addiction, you may feel more sluggish and exhausted. The best you can do to increase your energy is to try and do some exercise. Working out helps you increase your endurance and strength. Your body muscles adapt to spending a lot of energy when you run, jog, swim, and this makes you more energetic in the end.
Prevents relapse
One major benefit of working out is that it helps you avoid relapse or getting back to alcohol and drug use. Some studies have shown that you increase your abstinence from drugs and substance use by up to 95% when you exercise every day. Exercising can help you cope with depression, anxiety, stress, and negative emotions, the major triggers of addiction.
Contact Our Rehabilitation Specialists
At Rehab Melbourne Private, we provide assistance to everyone suffering from addiction. Contact our helpful team to find out about our treatment options to ensure you or your loved one receives the care they require. Give us a call on 1800 954 749 for more information on our drug counselling and rehab services in Melbourne.
