How Movement Assists in Recovery
For those who struggle with addiction, the burst of dopamine they crave is derived from illegal substances, alcohol, an overabundance of food, or risky sexual practices. In an effort to divert or diminish those cravings, exercise for addiction recovery has proven to be helpful. Incorporating recovery activities — like a team sport, cycling, or mindfulness-based practices, including tai chi and yoga — contributes to a healthier lifestyle and in many cases, long-term maintenance of recovery for those who struggle with dependency issues. For those who have abused alcohol in particular and struggle to get to sleep without having the requisite nightcap, regular exercise can help reboot the body clock. Those who break a sweat also benefit from better sleep quality and increased concentration, two wellness and recovery benefits that abusing substances or alcohol often rob from a person. Exercise for addiction recovery is also known to boost creativity for up to two hours after your workout is complete and promote accountability and added motivation when you team up with someone or participate in group exercise activities. This sense of community and connectedness is helpful to staying on track, especially on days when working out doesn’t feel all that appealing.A Key Element for Health and Recovery
In a recent report titled “Move Your Mental Health,” a comprehensive overview of more than 30 years’ research published by the John W. Brick Mental Health Foundation, the role that exercise plays in health and recovery was determined significant. To wit, 89% of published peer-reviewed research between 1990 and 2020 concluded that regular physical activity had a positive overall effect on mental health.Exercise and physical activity may play a protective role by not only reducing risk for mental illness, but helping to sustain mental wellness over time.
- High-frequency exercise three to five times per week was better at reducing depression symptoms than low-frequency exercise once a week
- Alternating or combining strength/resistance training with cardiovascular/aerobic exercise shows stronger mental health benefits than prioritizing one exclusively
- Mindfulness-based practices such as yoga, while lower intensity, can deliver better mental health benefits than walking
- Team sports, cycling, and gym exercises were reported as the top three types of physical activity associated with 20% fewer “poor mental health” days per month
- Exercise and physical activity may play a protective role by not only reducing risk for mental illness, but helping to sustain mental wellness over time