Day 21, Budget-Friendly Fitness Tips for Better Health in Recovery

 
Being active can be immensely beneficial for people in addiction recovery. Per U.S.News, research shows that physical activity can help you control cravings, boost your self-confidence, and curb symptoms of depression, so try to make regular exercise part of your recovery lifestyle.
 
Thankfully, you don’t have to spend a lot of money to enjoy these benefits. Whole-body wellness is accessible for people on any budget! Explore these suggestions, courtesy of Joyful Vibrance.
 

Use Affordable Tech for Motivation

 
People in recovery tend to struggle with a lack of motivation. If exercising is the last thing you want to do, consider investing in some affordable fitness tech for a motivational boost. Wearable fitness trackers, for example, are great for encouraging beneficial aerobic activity like running, cycling, swimming, and walking.
 
These forms of exercise are great for your mental health! Setting goals and tracking your progress can drive you to keep pushing forward, even on the days when taking those first few steps is especially difficult.
 
Other forms of tech, such as wireless earbuds, can help make your workouts a little more appealing. GloveWorx reports that listening to music during a workout helps with motivation and can even increase your levels of enjoyment after your exercise session! Music can also help you tune out feelings of physical discomfort and negative thoughts that may otherwise sabotage your workout.
 
To keep your new gear under budget, explore auction sites like eBay or second-hand sporting equipment retailers like SwapMeSports or Play It Again Sports.
 

Skip the Gym

 
When you’re on a budget, gym membership fees might not be financially feasible. Besides saving money, there are tons of great reasons to skip the gym and work out at home. It will help you get more out of your sessions since you’ll be able to focus and listen to your body more easily. Exercising alone is a great way to tend to your mental health!
 
Try to be mindful during your workouts by slowing down, remembering to breathe, and staying grounded to your goals. It’s a great time to engage in prayer or meditation so you can feed your mind, body and soul all at the same time.
 
If you want to make your fitness sessions a little more social, look for free options instead of costly classes. NBC News notes there are plenty of great ways to exercise with others without paying a dime. Search around online for local running clubs, hiking groups, drop-in sports, and outdoor workout groups.
 
You can even get your own group together and start something new! Exercising as a group is fantastic for encouraging your commitment and maintaining your healthy lifestyle goals for the long term. And if you’re self-isolating, you can still connect with friends for virtual workouts together.
 

Blend Mental Health and Physical Fitness

 
To get the most out of your fitness routine, find ways to care for your mental health at the same time. During your exercise sessions, check in with your mental health periodically. This will help you acknowledge positive changes in your mood as you power through your workouts. Try to also incorporate some mind-body exercises into your routine.
 
For example, yoga is particularly great for relieving stress. To get started on a budget, look for low-cost classes from your local rec center or community college and take advantage of yoga YouTube channels for continuing your practice at home.
 
You can also get a mental health boost by taking a hike in the forest. Research suggests that walking among trees can reduce stress, improve psychological wellbeing, ease symptoms of depression, and boost your energy. The best part? You don’t need to pay for expensive mental health retreats or yoga getaways to give your brain a therapeutic break.
 

Protect Your Brain

 
As someone in recovery, tending to your brain’s health is particularly important. Now is a time for healing, and your brain relies heavily on protein to function. At the same time, a workout program can deplete your body of much-needed protein. Whatever fitness program, tools and styles you embrace, make it a point to replenish protein following your workouts.
 
Pursuing an active lifestyle is a fantastic way to support your recovery from addiction. Since it’s important to avoid financial stress during your recovery, find ways to exercise without spending a lot of money. You have options galore! From home workouts to free community fitness classes, there is no reason a tight budget should interfere with your fitness goals.
 
Connect with Joyful Vibrance for more ideas and inspirations to help you with your journey.
 
 
 
 
 
Featured Photo via Rawpixel
 

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.