Dana Brown, HealthConditions.info
Recovering from drugs and alcohol is more than just getting the substances out of your system and curbing the addiction. It’s about getting your body whole and complete again. While detoxing can help rid the body of physical addiction to unhealthy substances, it’s a short-term fix for a bigger problem. The mental addiction to the substance still needs to be addressed, and your body’s overall health needs work as well.
Many people turn to drugs and alcohol to help them cope with work-related stress. Instead of substance abuse, exercise is a healthier and more effective way to deal with stress. Stress and addiction can be controlled if you’re getting your sweat on, releasing anger and raising endorphins. In addition to exercising on a regular basis, eating healthy, well-balanced meals and giving yourself a break if you feel stressed out are healthy ways to handle stress.
Since you’ve already been through addiction, you know that you can develop and maintain a healthy habit, too. The hardest part about an all-around healthy lifestyle isn’t sticking to the routine; it’s getting started. Create a system, write down your plan, start small, and don’t quit if you miss a day. Simply get back on the horse the next day and keep going on this journey. A good habit should save your life, not destroy it.
The healthier you are, the fewer cravings you’ll have for drugs or alcohol and the stronger your body will be to fight the illness of addiction. Developing a healthy addiction to nutritious food and exercise could also be the substitution that you need to kick bad habits for good.
Since your body is trying to heal from a long period of weakness and malnutrition, it’s better to start with light and easy aerobic activity. Swimming, yoga, walking, tai chi, and cycling are low-impact exercises that can build your strength while increasing your mood and energy. These exercises can be done recreationally. You don’t have to be an athlete, so don’t be discouraged if the moves are difficult or you’re out of breath. Do as much as you can, take a break, and do more later. Start exercising three days a week and gradually work up to six days.
If you’re looking to whip your body into shape, you can eventually get into more challenging anaerobic workouts such as High Intensity Interval Training and weight lifting. Maybe you’ll pick up running and participate in races to keep you motivated and always training. Perhaps martial arts, tennis, surfing or rock climbing are more appealing. Find a sport that you’re passionate about so that exercise feels more like a hobby than a chore.
If you’re looking for more workout ideas, give fitness apps a try. You’ll discover plenty of exercise videos and programs that can help you mix up your routine and stay motivated. If you’re planning to use apps regularly, check to make sure that your phone can run those apps without issues. If you’re experiencing too much buffering when streaming the workouts, you might want to replace your phone with a newer, more powerful device. Check online for discounts to help you stay within your budget.
While you’re getting your physical fitness on track, don’t neglect what you eat. Exercise has a big impact on heart health, but you cannot live without food. Exercise is what you put out and food is what you put in. The two go hand-in-hand to keep you healthy and vibrant.
The food you eat should be rich in vitamins and minerals from fruit and vegetables, protein, good fats and unrefined carbohydrates such as whole grains and potatoes. Nutritious food should be whole and natural, not processed and synthetic. Fat used to be the enemy of healthy eating, but research has shown that sugar is the enemy. You don’t have to quit carbs to be healthy; just limit carbs that are loaded with refined sugar, and use healthy sugar substitutes instead.
Some mental health issues require professional help or medication, but others just need a natural boost. If you follow a healthy diet and exercise program, your addiction will not only come under control, but your mental health will, too. Practicing a healthy lifestyle, self-care and stress reduction can lead to better moods, improved confidence and a more positive outlook on life.
About the Author
Dana Brown is the creator of HealthConditions.info, which aims to provide Internet users with helpful content and resources that will lead them to making healthier decisions. She has 15 years of caregiving experience, and after seeing some patterns of poor health she became determined to help inform people about healthy living.