How Yoga & Exercise Can Help Combat Addiction
The Mind-Body Connection and Battling Addiction
Much of the struggle with addiction is behavior based on emotional or mental trauma or pain. The connection between the physical behaviors and the workings within the mind is what yoga can help forge. What is yoga? Yoga is a movement and thought connection practice within a philosophy that is 8 limbs based. Each limb, or study, is part of the mind-body connection through breath. This practice, and exercise in general, can be a great tool in recovery. Exercise can be anything from a gym workout to an evening stroll, hiking to surfing. Regular body movement can boost mood, helps regulate the body’s functions, and combats depression.
These practices can deepen focus inward to help uncover thought patterns and negative habits. At Fresh Start of California, we can help you learn a variety of ways to combat addiction. We understand that body movement and emotional work go hand in hand. Let our team be your guide for Orange County rehabilitation and recovery from addiction.
Contact Fresh Start of California today if you are ready to make a change.
How Can Yoga & Exercise Help the Recovery Process?
Joining the body and mind through healthy movement can make keeping tabs on your addiction easier, uncovering, and identifying potential triggers. Mental and emotional health is critical in preventing relapse, recognizing behaviors, and knowing when you need help. Exercise and yoga are beneficial to both.
3 of yoga’s benefits during recovery include:
- Reduce stress and anxiety. Yoga uses breathwork and deliberate movement to reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, and calm racing thoughts. It can be used in battling addiction by acting as a self-soothing technique as well as a tool to dig into deeper issues.
- Help you sleep. Fall asleep faster and help relax using restorative poses including those that are aimed at increasing blood flow that reduces restless legs.
- Better health. Boost your immunity and the functions of your body systems using different yoga poses. From immune health to digestive function, yoga can help keep the body healthy.
3 benefits of exercise in combating addiction:
- Provide structure to your day. Exercise can be a reason to get out of the house, to break up the monotony of the day, and to be a commitment that you can keep. Having gym partners or work out buddies can help to give you something to look forward to each day.
- Commitment and reward. Regain control of your ability to stick with something that offers positive reinforcement and visible rewards. Keeping commitments to exercise routines can be a huge step in reminding yourself of how much power you have in life and over your actions.
- Boost your mood. Exercise increases blood flow and increases feel-good chemicals in the brain. It is proven to help change the mood and mental state in a positive way.
Recover in Mind and Body with Fresh Start of California
Moving forward from addiction can be daunting and overwhelming. It is crucial to find routine in healthy practices like yoga and exercise. These practices, along with guidance from rehabilitation and detox professionals and the support of your peers, can make all the difference. Let the recovery specialists at Fresh Start of California work with you to build a program that works with your specific needs.