Sometimes a relaxing time sitting becomes more about being lazy. This can lead to boredom, which can be dangerous for people recovering from addiction. One of the many things to incorporate in your addiction treatment plan is more activity. While you might picture going to the gym or running on a treadmill, staying active is about so much more than that. An active lifestyle can help you improve your confidence and make better choices when you are recovering from addiction. Here are some tips to help you get started:
Help Someone in Your Community With Lawn Care or House Chores
Helping others has a powerful effect on your brain. Not only will you feel better about yourself, but you will also be getting exercise and gaining a sense of accomplishment for completing a task. When you do things for others while you are recovering from addiction, it helps you take your focus off of yourself, and put your energy into something more productive and helpful. Plus, you can socialize with the people you help, which will also help improve your mood and confidence level.
Take Walks Daily for Your Treatment Plan
Walking is one of the most natural physical activities that you can do. You can take a walk in your neighborhood, at a local park, or along the beach. Wear comfortable shoes and find new places in your community to explore. You may find that there are trails that run through your city that you’ve never heard of. It’s easy to start by walking for 10 minutes at a time a few times a day. Whether you are taking a short break from work or going on a long walk, these daily walks can help you as part of your addiction treatment plan. You can even use a smartwatch or an app on your phone to track your miles.
Find a Movement-Based Activity You Enjoy
While daily walking is easy, you may find that another movement-based activity is better for you. You can choose from activities such as yoga, Pilates, dance classes, karate, capoeira, and even barre classes. These activities help your body move and can help you build more confidence over time. The important thing is that the activity is something that interests you and makes sense for your abilities. Once you’ve found an activity that works for you, make sure you schedule it to prioritize it in your schedule.
Try Getting Involved With Workout Challenges
Challenges and prizes are a great motivator for many people. There’s nothing like the excitement of a challenge to keep you motivated. Whether it’s an online competition or a local gym event, these challenges are fun and social, which means they can help you stay on track with your exercise routine. They can also connect you with a community of people who will help cheer you on your recovery journey. Challenges can help you make new friends as well.
Learn Hobbies That Help You Move
If you’re looking for a way to stay active and engaged during addiction treatment and recovery, consider taking up a hobby. The great thing about hobbies is that you get to learn something new and make new friends. They also give you the opportunity to move your body in new ways. For example, bowling is both a fun game, and requires movement and skill.
Make Your Activities More Social
Strong relationships help people overcome addiction more easily. Having people you can go for walks with or who will go play a game of golf with you on a Saturday can provide you with important relationships that can help you stay clean and sober. Social support is a key component of recovery. Finding activities to do that are social can not only help you make more friends, but can also help you stay active and healthy and alleviate boredom.
Conclusion
While sitting down can provide you with relaxation after a hard day of work, don’t stay there. Find ways to stay active through hobbies, social interactions, new sports, and helping others. This can help you build a strong network of people around you and help you gain confidence as you work through your addiction day by day.
