If you have battled drug or alcohol addiction over the years, you know it can seem like a never-ending fight.
While many people overcome their addictions, many others oftentimes feel like there is no light at the end of the tunnel. As a result, they truly never get the upper-hand on that enemy which is keeping them down.
One of the ways to battle a drug or alcohol addiction is by taking the fight to it, a fight which includes exercise, a better diet, and immersing yourself in friends and family who give you an upbeat attitude.
Stay a Step Ahead of Addiction
In order to stay a step ahead of the drug or alcohol problem in your life, movement therapies for addiction are one answer.
Stop for a moment and think about how dance, yoga, walking and a variety of other exercises can assist you in not only getting sober, but ultimately staying sober.
Not only is exercise good for you physical well-being, but it can also do wonders for your mental well-being. It gives you something to look forward to on a regular basis, plus it oftentimes gets you out with other people, people who can be a positive influence in your life.
With that in mind, look to see if you have these assets in your life on your road to recovery:
- Support – What kind of support system do you have or not have as you look to overcome your addiction/s? Even having just that one person to lean on and get you over the hump can be crucial. If your family is not there for you, turn to a friend or even a co-worker. Unfortunately, many people dealing with drug and alcohol abuse oftentimes have no one to turn to, but that doesn’t have to be your case. When you have a support system in place, that individual or those individuals can mean the difference between living clean and feeling like you will never overcome your demons;
- Exercise – As mentioned earlier, exercise can tilt things in your favor. While you probably are not looking to run any marathons anytime soon, simple exercises (walking, yoga, swimming, biking etc.) can make you feel like a new person, and oftentimes in a short period of time. The biggest obstacle to guard against is trying to do too much too soon. Slowly start an exercise program, one that allows you and your body to adjust. As with the support system, having a friend or family member to exercise with is an even bigger bonus. When you have someone else to workout with, you are likely to be more motivated to push yourself;
- Diet – Even though you may not equate diet/weight loss and being sober as relative, you’d be surprised about the connection between the two. When you are taking care of your diet and making sure you are getting plenty of nutrition, it only stands to reason that you should feel better about yourself. With that being said, take a look at what you are eating, how often you eat, and when you are eating. Try your best to get a well-balanced diet of fruits and vegetables, lying off the junk food as much as possible. Also be sure to drink as much water as possible, staying away from those drinks (sodas etc.) that are high in sugary content. Instead of eating three big meals a day, try going for four or five smaller meals during the day. Doing so will make you less inclined to overload yourself. Finally, avoid eating (especially heavy foods) several hours before you retire for the evening. Going to bed on a heavy stomach can prevent you from getting a good night’s sleep, something that is imperative to feeling better about yourself both physically and mentally. Also avoid any drinks high in caffeine right before bed, as they will tend to make it harder to fall asleep.
Getting and staying sober can be quite the challenge, but it is a challenge that you can meet when you put your mind to it.
When you decide to move forward (physically and mentally) with being sober, your life can change for the better before you know it.