For those in recovery who may be out of shape, it can feel overwhelming to even think about a heavy exercise routine. Instead, you can start small with a more mild routine to create a consistent, healthy habit. Before you know it, these small steps will lead to great benefits for your mind, body, and soul.
Mild Exercise Is Better Than No Exercise
Some people feel like they won’t see benefits from mild exercise, so they don’t exercise at all. This cannot be further from the truth. You’re doing a bigger disservice to your body without any kind of exercise at all. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, “Some physical activity is better than none. Adults who sit less and do any amount of moderate-to-vigorous intensity physical activity gain some health benefits.”
Mild body movement each day can help you get into a routine that will take your mind off of substance use. The more you stick with your routine, the more you’ll gain confidence as you see results. Mild exercise also teaches you to respect, love, and care for your body.
Benefits of Mild Body Movement
It’s no secret that physical activity can have great benefits for your overall health. Just about everyone will experience these benefits, even those with chronic disorders like addiction. The CDC notes that there are both short and long-term benefits of regular exercise. Some of these benefits include improved sleep quality, regulated blood pressure, healthy weight, cancer prevention, and better overall health for your brain and heart.
Benefits for Addiction
According to MedlinePlus, exercise can “improve your mental health and mood.” Even mild movement will cause your body to release chemicals that can make you feel more relaxed.
A 2011 study in Frontiers in Psychology found that “the effects of exercise on drug self-administration are highly promising.” The study also noted that exercise can mimic many of the same effects of drug use in a natural way. It pointed to evidence that has shown exercise can influence “many of the same signaling molecules and neuroanatomical structures that mediate the positive reinforcing effects of drugs.”
Types of Mild Exercise
Even the lightest-intensity physical activity, like slow-paced walking, cooking activities, and household chores, can be good for your health. Other forms of mild activity can include gentle yoga, breathing exercises, and stretching.
It should also be noted that more moderate-intensity exercises can be done at a slow and steady pace. You can start small and work your way up with activities like light jogging, weight lifting, and swimming.
Exercise in Treatment
Exercise is an important component of addiction treatment. At The Guest House, we offer physical activities of varying intensity to help you heal from addiction. When you do begin an exercise routine, make sure to celebrate yourself every step of the way. The more you commit to this habit, the more you will feel its rewards.
Exercise is one of the most beneficial activities you can do for both your mind and body. Mild exercise and light body movements can be powerful practices for those in recovery. At The Guest House, we help you focus on small steps to create your own physical exercise routine. Our healing modalities include a variety of mild exercises that will allow you to create a consistent practice as a healthy replacement for chronic substance use. For more information, call us at (855) 483-7800.