Body Movement Therapy

Exercise can serve as a non-drug method for increasing the level of neurotransmitters like dopamine and serotonin in the body [4]. These contribute to an elevated mood, more mental clarity, and other positive side effects. This is where the term “runner’s high” comes from.

Aerobic exercise in particular seems to present positive benefits for physical, emotional and psychological health. When a person with a substance use disorder has a method for naturally boosting their mood and sense of well-being, they may be less likely to turn to drugs or alcohol to alter their state. Exercise can also be a way to process difficult emotional experiences that affect mood.

Research has also shown that exercise has tremendous benefits for mental health. It can decrease symptoms of anxiety and depression while improving self-esteem and cognitive function. [5]

Many individuals with substance use disorders have an underlying mental health condition or mental illness. This condition may be the cause of their addictive behavior, or it may be exacerbated by substance use. In either case, physical activity can help decrease and resolve these symptoms, making a person less likely to abuse substances or relapse.

Routine and consistency are important for those who are newly sober. For someone whose life used to revolve around using substances, new daily life habits, and healthy patterns need to be developed to take the place of the old ones. Otherwise, it will be all too easy to slip back into routines or social situations that trigger substance use.

Developing a fitness routine or engaging in movement therapy is one way those in recovery create stability in their newfound sober lives. Plus, the more a person works out, the better you feel. It’s a win-win cycle that makes it easier to stick to exercise as a healthy habit.

Movement therapies can be beneficial in relieving many types of pain and tension. This could include chronic low back pain, low hamstring flexibility, tight hips, chronic headaches, weak immune system, and more.

Physical well-being and mental health are closely related. When a person is suffering emotional pain or is under a lot of stress, it can manifest in their bodies and vice versa.

Exercise and movement therapies can help improve a broad range of physical health conditions. They can help reduce inflammation and pain sensitivity, improve sleep, and build muscle strength. [6] This contributes to psychological healing, reduces symptoms of neurological disorders, and supports addiction recovery.