People who have given up an addiction can feel uncertain about what to do with their free time. If they don’t find something to do, they might believe sobriety to be boring. This can lead to boredom, which could cause people to resort to substance abuse.
Exercising while in recovery is important, but it’s important to do it correctly. By understanding the potential benefits and risks, you can ensure that you’re taking the right steps to properly recover and get back to your regular activities. Exercise can help improve your overall health, reduce pain, and increase strength and mobility.
There are so many great things you can do while sober. People who have been successful in sobriety for a while will complain about the lack of time they have to do everything they wish. Bicycling is a rewarding activity that those in recovery might want to try.
Bicycling has many health benefits
Regular cycling has many health benefits, including:
Improved stamina. This is because the person can work for longer periods of time and has more energy. This is a benefit in everyday life as it allows people to do more without getting tired.
Stress relief. A great way to reduce stress is to ride a bicycle. This is great news, as stress can be a contributor to many diseases.
Calories burned. This makes it easier to maintain a healthy weight. A half-hour of cycling burns approximately 150 calories. The body’s metabolic rate is also increased, so people can continue to burn calories even after stopping cycling.
All ages can enjoy it. One cyclist continues to take his bike out every day at 103 years of age.
Reduction in symptoms of depression
An increase in bone mass. This is especially important for people who are older.
An increase in muscle mass throughout the body, not just the legs. The individual will feel stronger and will be able to burn more calories. Because muscle tissue is more calorie-intensive than fat tissue, this is why it’s so important. It also increases muscle tone, which makes it more efficient in its work.
A healthy heart. A person who cycles 20 miles per week can reduce their risk of developing coronary heart disease.
Better coordination. Because the entire body is involved in the activity, this is why it is so effective.
Reduced obesity. These people can increase their physical fitness and burn calories by cycling.
A cost-effective way to improve your physical health. You don’t need to sign up for a gym membership. The only expense is the cost of a bicycle. You can buy the extras later.
Bicycling is good for people in recovery
If someone is recovering from addiction, bicycling can be an excellent activity to try. This hobby can bring sobriety many benefits.
- Cycling can help you increase your self-esteem. Addiction can cause mental and physical damage. When an individual has quit using alcohol or drugs, their self-worth can drop. People can increase their fitness and gain control over their bodies through cycling, which will help them increase their self-esteem.
- Individuals who are looking to join a recovery fellowship might find cycling a great way to get there. A bike is much more convenient than public transport, and you can easily find parking spots. A bike ride will help you get to your meetings and increase your fitness.
- Many people who are newly sober find they have more time to do things than they did before. Boredom is a serious problem for those who have recovered from addiction. Boredom could trigger a relapse. This spare time can be made productive by bicycling.
- People are often able to quit their addiction because they feel sick and tired of feeling sick and tired. They are looking to get back to health and cycling is a great activity to help them achieve that goal.
- A lot of people have to say goodbye to their drug and alcohol addictions. When someone is first sober, they can feel isolated until they make new friends. If a person joins a club or enters races, bicycling can be a great way to meet new people.
Exercise Addiction and Recovery: The Dangers
Addicts are often accused of having a harmful misconception. This is the belief that more of a good thing is better. Bicycling can be dangerous if this is a problem. Obsession with cycling can lead to serious health problems, such as:
- Overtraining syndrome is a condition where people ride too much. Overtraining can cause injury to the body and mind, rather than benefiting them. Overtraining syndrome can lead to depression, anxiety, anorexia, and mental breakdown.
- They will be more likely to relapse into addiction. They will neglect other aspects of their lives. To be sober, one must live a balanced lifestyle. This is dangerous because it allows people to avoid confronting their problems.
- This type of obsession can make people miserable. They feel guilty if they don’t exercise. It is a struggle for them to even take a day off their exercise routine. This activity is no longer something that makes your life easier. It’s no longer fun.
- This is similar to other addictions in the sense that an individual will eventually develop a tolerance for it. They will continue to need to do more to achieve the same effect.
- It can cause disruption in other areas of the person’s life. They may be less productive at work and may need to take time off due to injuries sustained in training. Obsession with fitness can lead to an individual neglecting their family and a repetition of the damage they did due to their addiction to drugs or alcohol.
Starting to Cycle in Recovery
People who want to cycle in recovery will need to be aware of these things:
- It is important to seek medical advice if someone is in poor health or has a medical condition before they begin any type of activity. Although most doctors will approve of the idea in most cases, it is still a good idea to double-check.
- Overdoing it at the beginning is a huge mistake made by newbie cyclists. They get so excited that they attempt to ride too many miles on their first few rides. They either get injured or lose motivation. It is best to begin slowly and increase your endurance over several months. People can build strength and stamina by cycling without getting injured.
- People who are just starting out with cycling will need to work hard to improve their technique. Even people who are familiar with bicycles will find it beneficial to improve their pedal stroke.
- There are many excellent resources on bicycling. Although you don’t have to know everything, it is helpful to read an introduction to the subject. You can also find many free videos, articles, and podcasts on the internet that are dedicated to cycling. These resources can help you avoid common mistakes. You can also learn new things.
- It can be great fun to cycle with others. This can increase motivation and add a social aspect to the activity. People who have gained some experience with cycling may decide to take part in bicycle tours and holidays. It is highly recommended to travel the world from a saddle.
- It is possible for cyclists to get bored if they don’t add some variety to their rides. It is better to have different routes for cycling. This will reduce boredom and increase the likelihood that the person will continue to cycle long-term.