Recovery from a substance abuse disorder is a long-term process. However, as part of an overall healthy lifestyle, finding beneficial ways to cope and overcome hurdles can ease your struggle. Adding routine and exercise in your life may facilitate recovery, as well as build a sense of control and help reshape your mind. Read on for more info from House of Pain.

Occupy Your Mind and Body

According to the Gateway Foundation, exercise may curb cravings for opioids, cocaine, amphetamines, and cannabis. One study shows those who committed to a 12-week aerobic exercise routine had a higher capacity to resist the urge to relapse. While you might think that working out would leave you with less energy, it can actually help you combat fatigue and burnout. You may feel more energized and capable of combating your substance abuse disorder because of routine physical activity.

When you follow a regular regimen, you have less time to make impulse decisions. Instead of dwelling on your recovery, workout goals give you a constructive distraction. This can prevent you from seeking unhealthy coping mechanisms during your recovery.

Even athletes sometimes need some motivation to work out. The best motivation may come in the form of the music you listen to during your exercise regimen. Listening to music with a steady beat may inspire you to work out harder. To exercise comfortably, it’s important to choose a pair of high-quality headphones that fit within your budget. Without a good, comfortable pair of headphones, you may find that music is more of a distraction than a motivation.

Set Attainable Goals

When in recovery, you have to learn that recovery is a process. Your path to rehabilitation has several milestones along the way. You are in control of setting your own goals. Those who have an objective tend to feel more accomplished and full of purpose. Having targets/goals when you work out may teach you to believe in your capabilities.

Try new challenges, such as micro-HIIT high-intensity workouts (which Men’s Journal explains will burn calories for hours after the workout). Generally, a challenge will have a schedule to follow, exercises to try each day, and goals to achieve by the end. Never set yourself up for failure. Instead, remain realistic about what you can achieve. Additionally, be specific about the goals you want to achieve.

To help you track your goals, consider fitness apps or smartwatches. Gadgets can track your steps, your location, and your heart rate during your routine. You can set specific goals and watch how you progress towards them.

Reshape Your Perception

When you exercise, it changes your brain chemistry. You release serotonin, a neurotransmitter that increases happiness and reduces depression. While exercise cannot replace therapy and other treatment options, it helps you manage your symptoms. By the end of your workout, you may experience a flood of dopamine and endorphins. This is because working out triggers these hormones. If you want to release stress hormones, high-intensity exercise works best.

Some of the best cardio exercises include:

• Running
• Swimming
• Biking
• Jumping rope

According to the US National Library of Medicine, people with low self-esteem are more vulnerable to drugs and alcohol. If you don't value yourself, you are more likely to be affected by external opinions. When you exercise, you build confidence from the inside out. Studies show that regular physical activity has a long-term impact on a person's self-confidence.

To recover from drug addiction, you have to believe in yourself. Changing your outlook on yourself and your life is key to overcoming the many hurdles of rehabilitation. Physical activity provides you with a routine, a distraction, and a healthy coping mechanism.

Strength, power, flexibility, movement -- just some of the work involved with upsizing the muscle and mind at the House of Pain. Visit one of our gyms today! (314) 451-1010