Health and Wellness in Recovery

Sobriety can be an exciting new beginning that allows someone who previously struggled with a bad habit to replace their struggles with new practices and a healthier lifestyle. While nutrition plays a fundamental role in recovery, it needs to go hand in hand with physical activity.

Regular exercise during the early stages of sobriety can play a pivotal role in your sobriety. Studies have shown that exercise releases healthy “feel good” neurotransmitters, chemicals in your brain like endorphins, to the body, creating a natural “high”. Believe it or not, these are the same endorphins that are released and reinforce that “high” feeling that in part reinforces substance abuse use.

Breaking down the biochemical anatomy of the brain and substance abuse is outside the scope of this page, we’ll leave that to the medical professionals. What exercise does do, in simple terms, is help reintroduce healthy endorphins and naturally produced chemicals that your body creates to help heal the damage substance abuse has wreaked on our body and mind.

Not only will a regular exercise routine make your body physically feel stronger, there are several hidden health benefits from getting active, including:

• • • Help for depression and anxiety – exercise is a scientifically proven mood booster, decreasing symptoms of both depression and anxiety.
    • Decreased stress – increasing your heart rate can reverse stress-induced brain damage by stimulating the production of neurohormones like norepinephrine, which not only improve cognition and mood but improve thinking clouded by stressful events.
    • Increased self-esteem and self-confidence – when you look good, you feel good. From improving endurance to losing weight and increasing muscle tone, there’s a lot to love about your body when you’re regularly working out.
    • Better sleep – virtually everyone struggles with disruptive sleep patterns in early recovery, from insomnia to racing thoughts, or even sleeping too much, physical activity helps regulate your circadian rhythm leading to better sleep. 
    • Improved cognitive health – studies have shown that cardiovascular exercise creates new brain cells—a process called neurogenesis—and improves overall brain performance. Yes, memory included. 😉

Whatever your goals are when you hit the gym – just know the grind is worth the squeeze. If you’re hesitant, self-conscious, or haven’t hit the gym in a while, give a shout-out at your next community meeting and talk with the guys around you to find a fitness partner. Working out with a partner will help you remain accountable, motivated, and makes the whole experience more fun. Plus unless you’re looking to stay single for the rest of your life, it never hurts to shred that beer belly or gain muscle.  

Recovery is all about getting out of our comfort zone, that is, if you seriously want to stay sober, get real results, and build that successful life you’ve always envisioned. Being proactive is always important and if relapse is a concern, learn more about relapse prevention here.