Added By
Red Oak Recovery
Published: August 26, 2016
Updated: October 7, 2021
You know that exercise is good for you – and it’s also a great recovery tool. Among the many health benefits, working out can improve heart health, increase concentration, remove toxins from the body, ease anxiety, and reduce substance cravings.
Here are a few more of the many ways that a good sweat session can be beneficial for men in addiction recovery.
- Exercise heals the brain. Many men recovering from substance use disorder experience lack of concentration and forgetfulness. Exercise, especially when combined with a traditional rehab program, can help rebuild your brain and minimize these mental side effects.
- Exercise fills a void. Having a schedule that includes healthy activities is an important part of staying sober. To this end, exercise provides men in recovery a healthy distraction and replacement for alcohol, cigarettes, gambling, or drugs.
- Exercise helps you fight back. There’s no better defense than a healthy body to fend off stress, cravings, and withdrawal symptoms.
- Exercise increases confidence. Getting stronger and building endurance will help minimize any feelings of self-loathing and hopelessness, which are all too common among men in recovery. And it will also help give you the motivation and confidence to take charge of your recovery and make lasting changes.
- Exercise restores inner peace. Mind-body techniques like yoga, Pilates, and tai chi aren’t just for women. In fact, they are proven to help both men and women alike unwind, focus, and better cope with daily stressors. And the less stressed you are, the less likely you’ll return to using.
Men’s Drug Addiction Treatment
In addition to therapy, our young men will learn about what triggers and motivates them to use substances in the first place, and will work to develop new healthy coping strategies and positive skills for recovery and relapse prevention. To learn more, call: 866.457.7426.
