Diet and exercise in addiction recovery play essential roles. When a person is recovering from alcohol or drug addiction, they must adopt healthy habits to help them on this path. Chances are that while individuals are abusing drugs or alcohol they neglect eating healthy foods and never exercise at all. Most likely the only exercise they receive is going to meet someone to obtain drugs or to use drugs. A healthy diet is always at the bottom of their lists.
Why Do We Need Diet and Exercise in Addiction Recovery?
Not only do addicts not eat healthy diets, but their substances of abuse also rob them of needed nutrients. Alcohol is probably the worst substance to rob the body of important nutrients. Not only do alcoholics not eat balanced diets, but the alcohol they consume also causes the body to eliminate many beneficial nutrients before they can be absorbed.
When starting life in addiction recovery with eating a diet full of the appropriate nutrients, you will feel better. Furthermore, by becoming physically healthy, you will not be as tempted to go back to substance use. Being physically healthy also makes you feel more emotionally healthy.
Exercise helps:
- Reduce stress
- Improve your mood
- Increase energy
- Improve sleep
- Prevent boredom
- Eliminate depression
Exercise also improves your self-confidence and improves your overall feelings about yourself. Changes in your lifestyle such as exercising and eating a healthy balanced diet can help reduce your cravings for alcohol or other substances of abuse. Creating a healthy exercise routine can keep your mind occupied and less time to think about all of the unhealthy habits you had before recovery.
Forming Healthy Habits for Diet and Exercise in Addiction Recovery
Develop healthy eating habits. You should have a diet of high fiber and low sugar to feel your best. You will be surprised by how much better you feel just from doing this one thing. A healthy diet is so important to good health. Exercising will make you healthier, physically and mentally. Walking clears your head and increases dopamine in your body, which improves your mood. Exercising eases stress. In addition, it improves your confidence and strength.
Living in Addiction Recovery is a Lifelong Commitment
Living in recovery from addiction is something that you will have to take one day at a time. There are many changes that you need to make to create a new and sober lifestyle. Changing your habits from unhealthy ones to healthy ones will be the biggest advantage you have in this battle. You can live a happy, healthy, and productive life with a little work and commitment.
Get healthy, avoid triggers, and learn to control your cravings. You can do this with some changes in your lifestyle. Once you see how much better you feel, mentally and physically, it will become easier each day. Developing new habits that include diet and exercise in addiction recovery is the key to success.
Seek Help if You are Struggling with Addiction
If you are in the middle of drug or alcohol addiction, contact a reputable addiction treatment center and start on your path to recovery. It won’t be easy, but you will be so proud of yourself once you complete a treatment program. To learn more about treatment programs available contact New Beginnings Drug Rehab. One of our representatives can answer any questions you may have about a treatment plan that will be designed for your individual needs. You can recover from alcohol and drug addiction!
- webmd.com – What is Drug Addiction?
Why are Heroin Overdoses ... 
Are You Struggling with P... 
