Exercise and nutrition are generally crucial for overall health. During addiction treatment programs, a healthy lifestyle is vital. By nourishing the body, individuals can boost their mood and help their body recover.
How Exercise and Nutrition Work
Exercise and nutrition during addiction and mental health treatment play crucial roles. These healthy habits are suitable for anyone, but they can also help people overcome the challenges they face. Exercise helps by providing a structure to the individual’s day. As they rebuild their lives, it gives them an activity that takes the place of using drugs or alcohol.
The right exercise and nutrition during addiction treatment can also make it easier to remain sober. Studies show that exercise causes the brain to release endorphins. These endorphins provide a mental boost and a sense of happiness.
In the evening, exercises like gentle stretching or yoga can help many unwind. This kind of exercise helps the individual relax and reduce stress levels. By preventing extreme stress, exercise and nutrition remove one potential reason for relapse.
Regular exercise and nutrition help individuals replace unhealthy habits with a healthier way of living. On a basic level, working out helps the individual feel physically fit. Over time, this type of fitness program helps to heal the body. It can also reduce the risks of developing certain chronic diseases that are common with substance use.
Meanwhile, dietary choices can help boost dopamine in the brain. During an addiction, someone develops a dependency on dopamine because the mind releases this chemical when they use drugs. Green vegetables, protein, dark chocolate and berries offer a similar dopamine boost.
Increasing Exercise and Nutrition During Addiction Treatment
Many addiction therapy services include nutrition and fitness therapy programs. Often, individuals will go through a nutrition assessment when they start a treatment program. An addiction specialist can help each person make an exercise and nutrition plan for their recovery.
Exercise and nutrition during addiction treatment can also include adventure and wilderness therapy. Some treatment centers design exercise programs that are fun and rewarding instead of just another session at the gym. Through these types of programs, individuals can discover new hobbies while they get in shape.
Discovering the Right Treatment Program
At a holistic treatment center, the entire person receives treatment instead of just the addiction. These kinds of programs will have options like adventure therapy, yoga, exercise programs, and nutrition assessments. The goal is to treat the whole person so that the individual has the best chances of remaining sober. At an addiction treatment center, individuals can find unique program options such as:
- Family therapy program and family counseling
- Adventure, experiential and wilderness therapy
- Individual and group therapy
- Dual diagnosis programs
- Eco-therapy
- Nutritional, psychiatric and physical assessments
- Psychotherapy
- Trauma focused
No one has to face the challenge of addiction, mental health issues, or trauma alone. At a treatment center, you can begin rebuilding your life as you overcome your addiction. Red Oak Recovery is here to help you take the first step in your sobriety journey. To find out how we can help, call us today at 828.382.9699.
