Addiction recovery affords men and women the opportunity to revolutionize their lives completely. Those working a program position themselves to do things in life that they never thought possible, i.e., finishing school. People find that when all their energy no longer goes to fuel the cycle of addiction, then they have time to pursue other interests like education, careers, and leading a healthier existence.
Regarding the latter, it is worth keeping in mind that maintaining a healthy mind is contingent on emphasizing the importance of physical health. Those who make an effort to eat right and exercise throughout the week find it easier to stay on course. Active addiction, after all, doesn’t leave much room for worrying about nutrition and fitness. All of an individual’s time and resources are channeled toward self-defeating and self-destructive behaviors. In recovery, men and women quickly realize that they have, in some cases, what feels like too much time on their hands; such people also find that too much free time can become burdensome.
In early recovery, it is vital to find activities and interests that will aid you in making progress. How people fill their time will vary; but, what matters is doing something that fills in some of the quotidian gaps in one’s schedule. Idle time often has a harmful effect on one’s program; when the mind isn’t occupied, old types of thinking are likely to emerge. Individuals in treatment or sober living benefit significantly from developing new behaviors; and, exercising is an excellent way to aid your recovery and push you to strive for new heights.
Walking and Running for Addiction Recovery
On Sunday, almost 50 men and women in recovery, from current clients, alumni and supporters, took part in the New York City Marathon, according to the Staten Island Advance. John Kane, 47, who completed treatment about five months ago, told The New York Times that the running team he is on gives him drive.
“It’s also transferable to everything else I do in life,” Mr. Kane said. “The hard work, the perseverance, the dedication it takes to run a marathon can cross over into your everyday life — as far as setting a goal, working toward that goal and achieving that goal.”
Setting oneself to run or walk 26.2-miles is an enormous achievement by anyone’s standards. Naturally, running a marathon for the first time or after years of substance use is something that requires diligence and commitment. However, if a person can come out of the abyss of addiction, then it stands to reason that anything is possible with recovery.
Early in sobriety, a marathon is likely too much for most; but, it is a goal that one can set and work towards with purpose. Making a point of exercising by walking or running requires routine; and an exercise routine gives you structure, the importance of which cannot be overemphasized. So, if you are new to recovery and feel as though running can help you move forward, talk to your counselor or sponsor about healthy ways to incorporate exercise into your program.
Addiction Treatment and Sober Living
At Pacific Shores Recovery, we offer safe and sober transitional housing and sober living for those living with alcohol and substance use disorders. We encourage our clients to emphasize both mental and physical fitness as they chart a path toward long-term recovery. Please contact us to learn more about the programs we offer; and, feel free to call our staff today at 949-239-7046 and tour our facilities.
The clients and staff of Pacific Shores would like to thank all the men and women who have served in the military. Our thoughts will be with you on Veterans Day!
