The Benefits of Physical Hobbies

Staying physically fit helps individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) reduce stress and improve overall wellness. Physical hobbies are an excellent form of exercise and provide people with healthy distractions. According to the Journal of Substance Use and Addiction Treatment, “Exercise is associated with a wide range of acute and long-term benefits for both mental and physical health and is presently being investigated as a promising adjunctive treatment for SUD.” West Coast Recovery Centers help clients explore the many benefits of physical hobbies during recovery from substance abuse. 

How Do Physical Hobbies Support Continuing Care?

Continuing care is an important part of the treatment process. Clients often transition to continuing care from partial hospitalization programs (PHPs), intensive outpatient programs (IOPs), or other treatment programs. Healthy hobbies increase the effectiveness of continuing care services. Social hobbies, including sports, are especially helpful in reducing the risk of relapse by providing a safe outlet and social support. Physical activities are often helpful in managing stress, anxiety, and symptoms of SUD.

Hobbies provide people with fun and engaging activities that improve their physical and psychological health. According to the National Institute on Aging (NIA):

Staying active can help you:

• Keep and improve your strength so you can stay independent
• Have more energy to do the things you want to do and reduce fatigue
• Improve your balance and lower the risk of falls and injuries from falls
• Manage and prevent some diseases like arthritis, heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes, osteoporosis, and 8 types of cancer, including breast and colon cancer
• Sleep better at home
• Reduce levels of stress and anxiety
• Reach or maintain a healthy weight and reduce the risk of excessive weight gain
• Control your blood pressure
• Possibly improve or maintain some aspects of cognitive function, such as your ability to shift quickly between tasks or plan an activity
• Perk up your mood and reduce feelings of depression

Hobbies are encouraged during treatment. The care team provides emotional and practical support to ensure clients feel comfortable establishing or re-engaging in healthy hobbies. Physical activities keep clients focused on doing things that make them feel self-confident and excited about their recovery.

Creating Healthy Routines Through Enjoyable Hobbies

Hobbies should be enjoyable and contribute to a person's quality of life. Many hobbies improve client's physical and mental health while distracting them from life stressors. Creating healthy routines and habits during recovery provides people with a reason to avoid maladaptive thoughts and behaviors. Clients reduce their risk of backsliding or engaging in unwanted behaviors by participating in enjoyable activities. 

Some individuals in recovery may not know how to find an enjoyable hobby. Discovering new hobbies and finding local groups or resources to pursue them may take some time. People often use online forums, community centers, and other sources to find information about potential hobbies. The care team supports and encourages clients looking to start a new hobby. Case managers at West Coast Recovery Centers provide clients with additional information about local groups or hobby classes. 

Health Benefits of Staying Physically Active

Many of the health benefits of staying physically active have a direct positive impact on addiction recovery. According to The American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse, “One study showed that those engaging in physical activity or related behaviors (e.g., planning physical activity) during treatment for substance use report lower substance use than those not engaged in these activities.” 

Some of the known health benefits of physical activity include:

• Stronger immune system
• Improved mental health
• Decreased heart rate 
• Reduced emotional distress 

According to Health.gov, “Physical activity has many well-established mental health benefits [. . .]. Although not a cure-all, increasing physical activity directly contributes to improved mental health and better overall health and well-being.” The experts at West Coast Recovery Centers educate clients on the importance of staying physically active and fit during treatment and recovery from SUD. 

Common Physical Hobbies

People's interests vary considerably, and an activity one person finds enjoyable, someone else may find boring. Identifying enjoyable and healthy hobbies can take some trial and error. The care team assists clients in identifying and pursuing physical hobbies to promote better overall health. 

Physical hobbies people in treatment and continuing care use to manage aspects of their condition include: 

• Artistic activities, including sculpting and dance
• Sports 
• Gardening 
• Running, hiking, or mountain climbing
• Biking 
• Swimming, surfing, or boating
• Fishing
• Golfing
• Strength training or gym exercising 
• Tai chi
• Yoga 
• Pilates

West Coast Recovery Centers has indoor and outdoor spaces where people can explore various hobbies and exercise during personal time.

Experts at West Coast Recovery Centers Encourage Active Hobbies

Clinicians at West Coast Recovery Centers understand the importance of improving physical fitness to support positive mental health. The care team accommodates each client's needs and preferences to ensure they can access tools for pursuing healthy and appropriate physical hobbies during treatment and continuing care. 

Physical hobbies are fun and provide people with a healthy distraction from the symptoms and side effects of substance use disorder. Individuals in treatment or continuing care benefit from engaging in physical activities alone or with others. Hobbies involving physical activities also improve overall health and well-being by reducing preventable illnesses and increasing fitness. West Coast Recovery Centers encourages clients to engage in hobbies during and after treatment. The care team provides clients with information, guidance, coaching, and resources for discovering and pursuing new hobbies. Physical activities improve treatment outcomes for clients and provide them with healthy distractions during continuing care. To learn more about our programs and services, contact our office today at (760) 492-6509.