According to the National Institutes of Health, people who exercise regularly are less likely to abuse illicit drugs. Since exercise induces feelings of euphoria similar to those associated with drug use, working out helps recovering substance abusers stay on the path to sobriety.
5 Ways to Become a Fitness Enthusiast
If you hate to exercise, don’t despair. Here are 5 ways to trick yourself into getting motivated—and even looking forward to your workouts.
- Plan ahead. Saying you’ll work out “someday” isn’t good enough. Schedule time to exercise just as you’d schedule a doctor’s appointment, a date, or an important presentation at work. If possible, plan your workout for early in the morning. As the day gets busier and energy levels dip, you are more likely to skip exercising in favor of other tasks.
- Choose a workout you enjoy. There’s more than one way to get fit. Even something as simple as a walk around the block or a short bike ride through your neighborhood is a great place to begin. As long as you’re slowly increasing your level of physical activity, it doesn’t matter what you’re doing.
- Mix it up. If you get bored easily, build variety into your routine. Lift weights at the gym one day; check out a yoga class with a friend the next. You might surprise yourself by discovering a new favorite way to exercise.
- Find a workout buddy or accountability partner. Having someone to exercise with makes workouts seem like less of a chore. If you can’t convince a friend to go along, join a class at your local gym or sign up for a recreational sports team—and meet new fitness-minded friends in the process.
- Make yourself a soundtrack. Working out to music is a great motivational tool, but podcasts and audiobooks can be helpful too. Try different options to see what best holds your attention.
Getting the Addiction Treatment You Need
If you’re struggling with alcohol addiction or drug abuse, 10 Acre Ranch can help you break free. Our Southern California rehab for men offers personalized treatment, as well as extensive aftercare support to help you maintain your hard-won sobriety. By emphasizing exercise, nutritional balance, and recreational activities, we encourage clients to develop a healing lifestyle that sticks—during and after recovery.
Call 877-228-4679 for program details or to discuss your customized recovery program with an addiction counselor.
