Diet and exercise are important to incorporate while recovering from drug addiction. According to the Orchid, a drug treatment center in Palm Springs, Fla., developing new, healthy habits is a vital component in recovery. Additionally, exercise stimulates the release of endorphins, mood-stabilizing neurochemicals that help to decrease depression and elevate good feelings.
Step 1
Sign up for an aerobics class that requires you to be someplace specific a few times per week. Performing aerobic exercise with other people takes your mind off the obsessions you might experience to use drugs. You'll have to pay attention in the class, which will help to keep your mind off drugs. In addition, you can meet new people who are interested in healthy activities.
Step 2
Go running or walking regularly, and wear a set of headphones attached to your favorite upbeat music. Use the music to maintain your pace so that you can exert enough energy to let the endorphins kick in and provide that pleasurable feeling you got from using drugs.
Step 3
Participate in an activity that you enjoy to make sure you'll stick with it. Play a sport such as basketball or tennis if you prefer a challenge and the camaraderie of others. Join a gym and hire a personal trainer to help you tone up. Ride a bike through outdoor trails if you prefer nature's serenity.
Step 4
Include exercises that help you cope with negativity and depression, such as yoga or tai chi. According to a February 2010 article in "Psychology Today," yoga helps addicts deal with negative emotions and anxiety that can lead to relapse. Yoga and other Eastern meditative practices typically include deep breathing, which reduces stress and helps with focus and relaxation.
Tips and Warnings
- Do exercises that will leave you exhausted. When your muscles have been pushed to exhaustion, it is easier to relax and release some of the stress that accompanies withdrawal and the subsequent periods of adjustment as you learn how to live without drugs.
- Be wary about setting yourself up for failure by taking on too much at first. Start slow with any exercise program so that you can build on your successes. According to the Gulf Bend Treatment Center, success increases the production of dopamine, another feel-good chemical the body produces. Failure also can trigger feelings of inadequacy that can discourage you from continuing with your exercise program—and ultimately your recovery.
Things You'll Need
- Aerobics class
- Sports team
