Exercise can be a key part of your recovery if you struggle with negative emotions, poor mental health, or substance use. Exercise isn’t a cure-all, but it can and should be part of your comprehensive recovery plan. Here are five ways that exercise can benefit your mental health.
Increase in Endorphins and Mood
Exercise is a good first step if you’re looking for a way to relieve anxiety without therapy or medication. Movement can increase your endorphins, which are feel-good chemicals that are naturally produced and released in your body. These endorphins can help to improve mood and increase positive thinking. Working out can improve overall mental health, which can in turn, lessen the likelihood of relapse.
Improve Sleep
High-quality sleep has been shown to be a critical component in improved mental health and overall recovery. Unfortunately, sleep can be hard to come by. Exercise has been shown to improve the quantity and quality of sleep. Late-night workouts should be avoided as the endorphins released can create wakefulness. Try a morning workout and a gentle evening walk.
Reduce the Likelihood of Relapse
Regular exercise has been shown to reduce the likelihood of relapse. There are a number of factors that go into this benefit (proven by science), such as stress management, reduction in depression and anxiety, and increase in sleep and mood—all of which can lessen the need for substance use.
Create Structure and Routine
Another benefit of exercise is that it creates structure and routine in your life. Having structure in your day can help to curb cravings. For example, knowing you have to get up for a group fitness class can help you to go to bed early the night before instead of staying up late with friends. Having an evening workout planned can make it easier to skip happy hour. You can structure your fitness routine around your personal triggers.
Relieve Stress
Withdrawing from drugs or alcohol can increase stress. One way to reduce that stress is to work out regularly. Elevating your heart rate can help to reduce the stress chemical cortisol, which can lessen feelings of stress. An elevated heart rate also triggers the release of serotonin, an anti-stress hormone. Exercise and movement, especially a balance of heart-elevating exercise and gentle movement, can benefit your mental health and relieve stress.
If you’re starting a journey of improving your mental health or quitting the use of substances, exercise can be a key part of your recovery plan. Exercise and elevated heart rate have been shown to reduce stress, improve mood, and increase the quality and quantity of sleep. All of these benefits can help you have an easier journey to stop using substances.
While exercise can improve mental health, it should be only part of the plan, not the entire plan. In addition to exercise, it’s important to have community support and professional resources there to help you in your journey.
