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Reducing Alcohol Consumption Through Exercise
Does Exercise Help Alcohol Withdrawal Symptoms?
Drinking advocates for an unhealthy life, putting pressure on the body and the mind. Replacing time spent drinking with exercise helps create a healthy lifestyle that has substantial health benefits. Exercise during alcohol withdrawal will help to keep you feeling strong and motivated during recovery and addiction treatment.
Alcohol is a depressant drug, which is legal in the United States. Obtaining alcohol is easy and many people use it to relax from stress, socialize and unwind. Although many people moderately use alcohol, some people develop a disease known as alcohol use disorder (AUD). Alcohol abuse is characterized by using alcohol in an unhealthy way. Heavy alcohol consumption can result in:
- Poor choices
- Risky behavior
- Physical and mental health issues
Alcohol dependency results from changes to the chemical balance in the brain as the body becomes reliant on alcohol. It's important to remember that, although there are factors contributing to someone developing AUD, such as genes, behavior, environment and mental health, there is no single cause.
Exercise is one of the most valuable tools you can access when going through alcohol withdrawal. As well as being a positive life choice, it is also beneficial in keeping people on track in their long-term recovery.
There are several benefits associated with exercise during withdrawal. Excersice can:
- Improve your mood
- Improve immunity
- Boost confidence
- Improve sleep
- Help fight cravings
Remember, you don't need to jump into intense workouts straight away. Your body will be recovering, so a light exercise regime is sufficient, you can build up slowly from there. It is entirely safe to exercise during withdrawal for most people. However, people with physical health issues who have led a sedentary life for an extended period should seek professional medical advice before exercising. It is important to remember to drink lots of fluids and stay hydrated during alcohol withdrawal, as many people experience dehydration. You will need to drink even more if you exercise due to the water lost through sweat.
To access the full article on reducing alcohol consumption through exercise, click here.
In partnership with the YMCA, Hally Health focuses on a variety of topics aimed at people of any age or fitness level who want to stay healthy and active. Try this Kickboxing workout that’s sure to get your heart pumping. To view all our YMCA partnership fitness videos throughout the month, please visit hally.com or Facebook.com/HallyHealth.