Whether your drug treatment began in an inpatient facility or has always been an entirely outpatient effort, exercising while receiving outpatient services can be the most beneficial and important step that you take to support your recovery. Not only will working out help expedite your mental and physical return to good health, but it will also eliminate a number of common stumbling-blocks that often lead to relapse. Best of all, fitness in recovery does not have to be a complicated, costly, or overly challenging ordeal. It can be as simple as taking long walks around a nearby lake, jogging at a local park, or simply riding your bike along the coastline. The most important thing is that you make a regular, structured effort to challenge your body and relax your mind.
Unlike inpatient drug treatment, attending outpatient rehab services is a largely self-managed effort. This makes it important for people to work on establishing and maintaining good self-discipline. Countless studies have shown that one of the surest and quickest ways to achieve greater self-discipline is by implementing a structured workout plan and sticking to it. Because of this fact, not only do many outpatient treatment centers suggest working out, but they also routinely check in with patients to find out about their exercise plans during their in-person visits. Although exercise isn’t a mandatory requirement of these programs, it is highly recommended. Read on to find out why.
Exercise Can Provide Countless Benefits For Anyone In Recovery
Unlike inpatient drug treatment programs that keep patients largely sheltered from the outside world, when you’re managing your recovery with the support of outpatient services, you’re constantly exposed to different people, environments, and circumstances that lie outside of your power to control them. The unpredictability of this makes it hard to anticipate the different stressors and other triggers that might come your way. One thing that you can control, however, is how you feel. Many drug treatment programs encourage people to never let themselves become too lonely, angry, tired, or even hungry. Feeling out of sorts in any way can make you more vulnerable to temptation and other unhealthy urges. Regular exercise is a cornerstone of good health and it sets the stage for making positive life choices in all areas. People who work out tend to eat better and they tend to prioritize getting plenty of deep and restful sleep. They also make a point of keeping their bodies properly hydrated and in good shape all-around.
There are many mental and emotional benefits gained from exercise. For instance, there is no more natural way to elevate your mood than by working out to experience the release of endorphins. These feel-good hormones make it easier for people to deal with stressful situations without losing their cool. They also teach recovering addicts that there are incredibly effective ways for altering their moods that can actually be good for them. Regular exercise promotes general mood balance, and it can even be a very effective form of stress management. If you ever find that your emotions are starting to spiral out of control, you can reassert control by going for a jog or walk, practicing yoga, doing Pilates, or taking part in a dance class. Many forms of structured fitness also provide ample opportunity for socialization. If you’re looking to meet new friends while in recovery, working out in a group environment will surround you with people who are equally committed to achieving and maintaining optimum levels of health.
Establish A Structured Schedule And Fill Your Time In A Positive Way
Surprisingly, boredom can be a huge trigger for relapse. Finding yourself with absolutely nothing challenging or engaging to do can lead you to look for a quick way to alter your state of mind or add some excitement to your life. The best thing about using exercise as a coping tool is that the possibilities are unlimited. You can take up paddle-boarding or surfing, go long-boarding, or join a gym with trampoline classes. Exercise can lead you to a number of new and engaging ways to fill your time so that you never find yourself regressing due to malaise.
One commonly overlooked benefit of exercise is its ability to improve blood flow. This is excellent for expediting toxin removal, rebuilding damaged tissues, and undoing the ravages of long-term drug use in many other ways. Working out even promotes better blood flow all the way to the very top of the body where it can nourish and oxygenate the brain. Better oxygen supply to the brain promotes better decision-making, improved cognitive thinking, and a more rapid return to your pre-addiction levels of overall brain health. Moreover, working out will put you in the right environments, company, moods, and mindset for proactively supporting your recovery.
Receiving outpatient rehab services is a great way to support and maintain your sobriety after leaving an inpatient program. If you’re just getting started with recovery, these services can give you the guidance you need to get sober, even as you maintain the freedom to continue going to work, caring for your family, and handling many other important responsibilities. If you’re searching for the best outpatient services for your needs, we’re here to help. Call us today at 844-639-8371.