PEER SUPPORT
Substance misuse and addiction take a toll on our health. Let’s discuss the importance of doing exercise in addiction recovery. There are physical, mental, and emotional benefits of having a strong exercise plan.
As with nutrition, the idea of adding an exercise and fitness routine into your life while in recovery can be overwhelming. In fact, you may not have any interest in fitness at all. Just like most goals in recovery (and life), it’s important to start small,—and by doing so you can achieve some excellent results.
There have been many studies around adding exercise in addiction recovery, and the results have all shown that it is beneficial. Here are a few of the ways exercise will not only help keep you healthy but also clean and sober.
As you’ve learned in recovery, setting attainable goals is the first step in your fitness journey. It could be as simple as going up the stairs instead of taking the elevator or walking to the mailbox instead of driving. However you choose to get moving, you can do it!
Before starting any exercise routine, consult your doctor. You need to make sure that you’re healthy enough to begin a routine and your doctor can suggest where to start. Another benefit of this is you can set a baseline; your doctor can tell you your weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, and other important vitals. As you progress, you can re-assess and see the progress from your hard work—which can be very rewarding.
Read more CeDAR Education Articles about Peer Support including H.O.W Communication: Honesty.
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