Yoga is a series of specific postures and stretches and it also incorporates a focus on the breath and a mindful approach. It promotes the mind-body connection. This holistic practice can help people learn to focus more on the present moment and develop greater self-awareness. Thanks to its multiple benefits, it can be a powerful tool during treatment for substance use disorder.
Rehabilitation centers can incorporate yoga as part of their inpatient and outpatient programs. In addition to helping during the initial recovery process, the benefits of yoga can create lasting results to help people recognize and cope with cravings or withdrawal symptoms in a healthy manner. Although yoga offers benefits no matter what, it is often most helpful when combined with other therapeutic methods.
Improves Your Physical Health
Yoga takes many forms but can be an effective low impact exercise that supports your overall physical health. Regular practice can improve your strength, stability, balance, and general stamina. Yoga can lead to a greater quality of sleep, which can reduce fatigue and elevate your energy levels. If you suffer from certain physical aches, certain postures and stretches can act as pain relief.
When you feel more in tune with your body and enjoy improved physical health, it can help you be more focused and have more energy to commit to your rehabilitation program and maintain your sober lifestyle after completing your program.
Reduces Mental Health Challenges
Yoga offers several benefits for your mental well-being, including higher levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid or GABA, which acts as a natural relaxant that your brain produces to alleviate stress and anxiety. The strong mindfulness component of yoga also helps reduce cortisol and adrenaline levels that can also interfere with your mental state.
A consistent yoga practice can help reduce:
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Panic disorder
- Post-traumatic disorder
By improving your mental health, yoga can help you sustain progress in your recovery and help you resist cravings while you focus on learning new techniques to handle stress and other issues so that you live your life free of addiction.
Creates Discipline and Nurtures Confidence
As you become more in touch with your body and learn to regulate your breathing, yoga teaches you self-awareness and control. It can help you get a better understanding of your emotional state and be non-judgmental about yourself. This can help you approach your recovery more effectively and with greater peace of mind.
A regular yoga practice teaches you discipline and self-reliance as you commit to it either every day or several times a week. Self-discipline can boost your confidence. Those are two important building blocks in your addiction recovery as you learn how to cope more healthily in the short and long term.
Yoga and Addiction Recovery at The Carter Treatment Center
At The Carter Treatment Center, we use yoga as part of the various alternative therapies we offer to help individuals recover from substance use disorder, whether they struggled with alcohol, illicit substances, or prescription drugs.
All our programs incorporate multiple components, including counseling, to support our clients' recovery. We believe that daily physical activity can make a positive difference in everyone’s life including during rehabilitation and yoga is one of the options we have available.
Our team can also recommend yoga as a mindfulness technique instead of or in addition to Tai Chi or meditation. We always tailor treatment components to each individual’s specific situation and needs to increase your chances of success. Whether you practiced yoga before struggling with addiction or are a brand-new learner, yoga is a customizable practice accessible to all.
If you are looking for a rehabilitation center that offers alternative therapies like yoga in Cumming or Suwannee, contact The Carter Treatment Center today at (678) 737-4430 to schedule an appointment!