Exercise has long been used as a helpful additional tool in recovery. It is now being recognized as an effective standalone treatment for addiction. Not only is there physical benefits but also mental and emotional ones. Exercise and playing sports can help to relieve stress, improve self-esteem and boost mood through the release of endorphins. Incorporating more exercise into your daily routine doesn’t have to be an arduous task. Beneficial sports can include a range of enjoyable activities from jet skiing to ping pong. When activities are combined with getting out in nature and socializing, it can add to their therapeutic value. While talk therapy provides tools to take control of your life, physical exercise can play an important part in creating a healthier self . Outdoor exercise and team sports can aid healthy recovery.
Water Sports
Taking up exercise or a new sport can help to provide a regular routine, making it easier to manage cravings and avoid relapse. The potential for blue spaces to promote wellbeing has also been recognized. As well as providing benefits such as sunlight and fresh air, being near water appears to have a positive effect on mood and stress levels. Outdoor water environments provide the setting for a number of engaging physical sports. There’s nothing like driving a jet ski for the first time. It’s an exhilarating water sport that provides distraction and is a great way to pass a few hours in the fresh air.
Winter Sports
Exhilarating and diverting sporting opportunities can also be found in snowy mountains and offer the same therapeutic connection with nature. The effect of outdoor exercise in nature can be very powerful. Whether you’re jumping on a snowboard or taking up snowshoe racing, it can help with a healthy and mindful reconnection to your surroundings. Finding exciting opportunities to exercise outside even during the colder months helps with improving your mood during the shorter, dark days of winter. Absorbing natural vitamin D will help to stave off colds and flu. Taking part in challenging sports help improve your sleep routine, which is commonly disrupted during recovery.
Team Sports
While it’s not always practical to engage regularly in water and winter sports, casual team sports are generally more accessible. An increasing number of organizations and clubs are promoting team activities for people in recovery. Addiction can be isolating but, as well as providing a good workout, team sports provide the opportunity to forge new connections through social interaction and boost confidence.
There are a number of benefits associated with engaging in exercise and team sports for those in recovery. Whether you want to enjoy an exhilarating activity in a natural setting or a competitive game with friends, there are plenty of opportunities to increase physical and mental wellbeing through exercise.
