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| Angelo Hemin Fitness Guru |
For
some of us who have been struggling to overcome an addiction to drugs or a
dependence upon alcohol, the road to recovery literally is a road (or, in other
cases, a path, a trail or a track). For those of us, physical fitness programs
that involve running, walking or hiking help us develop the mental clarity and
physical strength that we need to achieve and maintain long-term sobriety.
Incorporating
a regimen of regular exercise into our lives can benefit recovering individuals
in the following five ways:
- Provide a
healthy outlet for negative emotions — Instead of turning to drugs in
unproductive efforts to cope with stress, pressure or disappointment,
individuals who have established a healthy exercise regimen can work out our
problems while working out.
- Develop
discipline
— Self-discipline is an essential component of the pursuit of long-term
recovery, and following a regular exercise routine is a way of practicing
this type of personal accountability.
- Increase focus — Working out
on a regular basis requires us to plan our time and pay attention to our
bodies — two activities that are also important parts of staying sober.
- Enhance
confidence
— As we develop our bodies through exercise, we are also developing our
confidence and sense of accomplishment. These acknowledgments of ability
and success can come in handy when confronted with the challenges of
recovery.
- Fill time — Being an addict can be quite time-consuming, with large chunks of one’s day devoted to finding, acquiring, using and recovering from one’s substance of choice. One positive way to fill those “empty hours” is by engaging in regular sessions of vigorous exercise.
The goal of addiction
treatment is twofold: to stop using and to maintain long-term recovery. By
incorporating healthy nutrition and exercise practices into your daily life,
you enhance your ability to successfully achieve both of these goals.
