The Benefits of Exercise During Life’s Tough Times

By Jason Lewis of Strongwell.org

 

Last year was tough for a great many of us. In fact, drug and alcohol abuse is up, as are overdoses. That’s the bad news. The good news is that regular exercise can help you manage stress levels. It does so in two ways. First, by releasing endorphins, the “feel-good” chemical that produces a sensation of euphoria, much like the one you might feel when using your drug of choice. Second, by helping you get back into your body and re-engaging with your physical self.

 

 

 

 

Choose Well and Take it Slow

 

How do you choose the ideal workout? You probably won’t want to crash out of your front door one morning and decide to run a marathon (though working up slowly to one might not be a bad idea), and you probably don’t want to deadlift a few hundred pounds at the gym. Choose one or a combination that fits your needs and comfort level. Then increase the intensity as you feel comfortable.

It’s important to feel like you’re making progress with whatever workout you choose. Keeping track of your progress is easy, just add a comfortable armband to your workout gear and add an app for tracking your goals. Take it one day at a time.

 

 

 

Here are three workout types to consider:

*Cardio

You can get your body moving again by trying any of the exercises that increase your heart rate and make you sweat. Running is the most common, whether on a treadmill, an indoor track or outside. Fast-walking is another that while it might be easier on the feet and knees can still boost your heart rate. Or, sign up for dance lessons. Whether it’s ballroom, salsa, or even tap, dance lessons give you that boost in your heart rate and also helps you meet positive, fun, energetic and healthy people. Also, dance helps you move your body in ways it’s probably never moved before while sober. You can even participate in virtual lessons, just clear a little floorspace and put on clothes that allow you to move.

 

*Weights

Not only does weight training release endorphins, it also builds and tones muscle mass so that you also start developing a more body positive image of yourself. According to NBC.com, it helps you feel more competent, and the intensity of focus as you lift helps you forget about the day’s problems. But you don’t have to necessarily join a gym or invest a lot of money in an expensive set of weights to get those benefits. Bodyweight exercises (push-ups, crunches, squats, lunges, and more) can work just as well, and you can do them at home with almost no special equipment.

 

*Yoga

While it might not seem as active as working with weights or doing cardio exercises, yoga is ideal for getting you back into your body and becoming more mindful. The deep breathing you do and the flexible poses work your body, and, like weight training, it helps you focus intensely. You get an improved feeling of balance that strengthens your leg and core muscles while also developing a stronger sense of stability, something that probably had been missing from your life while you suffered from your addiction.

 

 

Like your recovery, the exercise you choose to do is only one part of your personal journey to get better. These three – by themselves or combined with each other – can help you get back into your body, keep you focused and healthy, which can help keep you clean and sober. 

 

Ready to make fitness part of your lifestyle? Connect with Soul Building Fitness for a plan that nourishes your mind and heals your soul.

 

Jason Lewis is a personal trainer by day and the primary caretaker of his mom after her surgery. He writes for Strong Well and enjoys creating fitness programs that cater to the needs of people over 65.