When you include fitness in your daily routine, it helps control weight, reduces heart disease and improves your overall mood and sense of well-being. For those in recovery from substance abuse and addiction, exercise can help rebalance their body’s chemistry. Moreover, it helps re-build self-esteem and confidence.
Ways to Achieve Wellness Balance
These days, people are much more sedentary and don’t get enough exercise. In fact, an estimated 45 percent of American adults are not sufficiently active to achieve health benefits with about 80 percent failing to meet the government’s national physical activity recommendations for both aerobic activity and muscle strengthening.
However, for some people, fitness becomes an obsession. For those addicted to exercise, it becomes an all-consuming habit that interferes with work, social obligations, and even discourages them from achieving other goals. Overtraining also has physical risks including an increased resting heart rate and stress fractures. People with addictive tendencies are particularly susceptible to overdoing it when it comes to their fitness routines. That’s why it is so important to balance exercise with the right amount of self-care.
Build a Meditation Room
When it comes to self-care, the benefits of meditation are not to be overlooked. According to Psychology Today, meditation has been scientifically shown to boost your health, happiness, and productivity. It makes you a healthier person and a better worker.
Meditation isn’t just reserved for yoga teachers and spiritual gurus. Anyone can learn to meditate from anywhere in the world. One of the easiest ways to start meditating is to set up a meditation room right in the comfort of your own home. Even if you don’t have a spare room available, a meditation space in a quiet, relaxing part of your home can give you a few minutes of daily zen. If possible, choose a meditation space that has views of nature where you won’t be distracted by other people, neighbors, or cars driving past your home.
Swap Gym Time for Fun Time
Exercise doesn’t have to be all about hitting the gym and pumping iron. You can get all the benefits of physical activity while having fun with friends. Call your pals and meet up at your local park for a pickup game of soccer or sand volleyball.
You don’t even have to make it competitive. Instead, play for fun and enjoy the rush of dopamine you get when you spend time with those you love. Exercising with friends is a great way to remind yourself that fitness should be fun and not something to take too seriously.
Walk Fido
Are you walking your dog enough? There is a good chance you’re not. Dogs need to be walked at least twice a day for 15 minutes a walk. Dogs have a primal need to explore their territory and move with the pack leader (that’s you!). So, even if you have a large backyard that your dog runs around all he wants, he still needs to be walked. Plus, spending time with your pets helps reduce stress and anxiety.
If you don’t have a dog, you may still reap the benefits volunteer to walk dogs at a local pet shelter. Or, if you could use a little extra cash in your pocket, you might start up for a dog-walking service. People all over need assistance taking care of their four-legged friends while they’re at work. You can make up to $30 every half hour simply getting in some gentle exercise with a pooch!
Get Your Annual Physical
Self-care isn’t always about face masks and affirmations. Sometimes self-care means doing the mundane things you might not enjoy so much such as your annual physical. Remember that our health insurance plan is required to pay for a yearly check-up with your primary physician.
During your exam, talk to your doctor about your fitness regimen and any anxieties you may have about overdoing it. If you have aches and pains, be sure to point them out. Ask your doctor to recommend a brace or wrap that can provide support and help prevent a stress fracture.
Keep Up the Good Work!
Everybody needs regular exercise. It helps control weight, prevents disease and supports good mental health, especially for those struggling with issues such as addiction. However, people with addictive tendencies can get too obsessed with their fitness routine and overdo it. That’s why it’s so important to practice self-care along with exercising.
A great way to reinforce that fitness is fun is to swap out an intense workout for sports with friends. Or, walk your dog for some gentle activity that reduces anxiety and gives your pup his essential exercise. Finally, be sure to take advantage of your annual physical. Your doctor can provide essential advice and check for injuries such as stress fractures, which result from overtraining.
Written by Guest Author Brad Krause • SelfCaring.info
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