Fitness Therapy:
Movement is Medicine

Discover the transformative power of fitness therapy and how it supports mental health and addiction recovery at New Life Recovery.

March 21, 2025

Fitness Therapy: A Powerful Tool for Recovery

Fitness therapy, or exercise therapy, involves structured physical activity to improve overall well-being. This type of treatment focuses on physical health while still promoting emotional stability and mental clarity.¹

Fitness treatment plays a crucial role in healing the body and mind. According to one study, regular physical activity can reduce chronic diseases by 20% to 30% and can even help with depression. This reinforces the connection between exercise and physical and emotional well-being.²

For those struggling with substance use disorder (SUD), fitness therapy offers a natural way to manage cravings, regulate emotions, and build resilience. Exercising helps rebuild self-esteem, improve mood, and enhance cognitive function, all of which are essential components for long-term recovery.

Fitness Therapy at New Life Recovery

At New Life Recovery, fitness therapy is an essential part of our holistic treatment approach. We also incorporate personal training, cold plunge therapy, yoga, and structured exercise programs to help individuals strengthen their bodies and minds—creating the foundation for lasting change.

By integrating movement with evidence-based therapies, we provide a comprehensive path to healing, empowering individuals to love their lives without returning to the cycle of SUD.

The Science Behind Fitness and Mental Health

Exercise has a profound effect on brain chemistry, releasing chemicals that regulate mood, reduce stress, and improve emotional well-being.³

How Exercise Impacts Brain Chemistry

Some of the key chemicals released during exercise include:

Endorphins: These are the body’s natural painkillers, contributing to something often called the “runner’s high,” which is a sense of euphoria after exercise. They reduce pain and boost happiness.
Dopamine: This is the “feel-good” neurotransmitter and is vital to the brain’s reward system. Exercise naturally boosts dopamine levels, which helps reinforce positive behaviors. This helps the body and mind replace the unhealthy rewards tied to SUD.
Serotonin: This increases during physical activity, helping the body alleviate feelings of sadness, irritability, and symptoms of depression and anxiety.

Regular exercise may even be as effective as some antidepressants in boosting mood and alleviating depression. Additionally, physical activity distracts from negative thoughts, offering a healthy outlet for emotional energy.

Utilizing Fitness Therapy in SUD and Mental Health Treatment

Fitness therapy can play an integral role in SUD and mental health treatment for long-lasting recovery. Some of the ways that this works include:

Supporting Recovery from SUD

Structured exercise is a fundamental part of SUD recovery. SUD often creates instability in daily routines, and fitness therapy provides the structure needed for recovery.

Regular physical activity promotes physical health, boosts energy, and enhances sleep – all of which are commonly disrupted by SUD. It also fosters a sense of accomplishment and progress, empowering individuals to tackle the emotional and psychological hurdles of recovery.

As fitness becomes an integral part of the recovery process, individuals regain a sense of control over their bodies, which strengthens their overall resilience.

Improving Routines and Self-Confidence

Fitness therapy helps individuals establish routine and structure in recovery. Regular exercise promotes discipline, commitment, and personal accountability, which enhances self-control and confidence.

As individuals progress in their fitness journeys, such as running a mile or achieving a yoga pose, they build resilience and a greater sense of accomplishment. This discipline translates to other recovery aspects, such as time management and emotional regulation, which are key to long-term success.

Studies show that exercise can also boost self-esteem, helping individuals repair their relationship with themselves a well.⁴

Healthy Coping Mechanism for Stress and Emotional Triggers

In recovery from SUD, managing stress and emotional triggers without resorting to substances is critical. Fitness therapy offers a productive way to deal with these challenges, allowing individuals to channel their emotional energy into physical activity.

Whether through intense workouts or more calming exercises like yoga, fitness provides a constructive outlet for stress.

Regular physical activity helps individuals stay grounded in the present moment and fosters emotional resilience, making it easier to navigate difficult situations without turning to substances for relief.

Types of Fitness Therapy Approaches

Several types of fitness therapies are key to helping the brain and body heal from symptoms of mental health or substance use disorder.

Some fitness therapy exercises that may be integrated into treatment include:

Cardiovascular Exercise

Cardiovascular exercise, such as running, cycling, and swimming, is crucial in recovery by improving heart health and building stamina. These activities boost circulation, enhance lung capacity, and support overall physical fitness – vital for individuals regaining their strength after SUD.

Mentally, cardiovascular exercise helps individuals clear their minds and reduce anxiety. The repetitive motion of running or cycling serves as a form of mindfulness, promoting relaxation while reducing stress and symptoms of depression.

Regular cardio workouts also can improve both physical endurance and emotional resilience.

Strength Training

Strength training, including weight lifting and bodyweight exercises, is essential for rebuilding physical strength and boosting confidence.

These exercises focus on muscle mass, stability, and functional strength, helping individuals restore their physical health. The discipline required for strength training fosters determination while reaching fitness milestones provides a sense of accomplishment.

This process can help individuals build resilience, empowering them both physically and mentally. Strength training also enhances sleep and reduces stress, contributing to emotional stability in recovery.

Yoga and Mindfulness

Yoga and mindfulness practices offer a holistic approach to fitness by integrating physical postures with intentional breathwork. This combination improves flexibility, balance, and mental clarity while promoting emotional regulation.

Yoga helps individuals manage stress, reduce anxiety, and stay present, making it a powerful tool for emotional healing during recovery. The focus on breath control activates the body’s relaxation response, promoting calm and emotional balance.

Outdoor Activities

Outdoor activities like hiking and group sports offer a unique approach to fitness, combining physical exercise with the therapeutic effects of nature. Outdoor activities enhance cardiovascular health while providing a peaceful, stress-reducing environment.

Group sports can foster teamwork and social connections, which are essential for building a strong recovery community. Additionally, nature-based activities like outdoor yoga also offer emotional benefits by lowering stress hormones and enhancing overall mood.

These activities support recovery by connecting the body and mind in a natural, healing environment.

Fitness Therapy as Part of Holistic Healing

At New Life Recovery, we recognize that true healing requires a comprehensive approach that nurtures the mind, body, and spirit.

Fitness therapy plays a vital role in this process at our Fresno, California treatment center, complementing other evidence-based treatments to create a well-rounded recovery plan.

Powerful Complement to Evidence-Based Therapies

Fitness therapy enhances the effectiveness of evidence-based treatments by promoting emotional regulation, reducing stress, and reinforcing healthy habits.

Regular physical activity has been shown to increase neuroplasticity, helping individuals retrain their brains and build resilience against cravings and triggers.⁵

Connection Between Nutrition, Fitness, and Mental Well-Being

Movement and proper nutrition go hand in hand. A balanced diet fuels the body, while exercise helps regulate mood, energy levels, and sleep patterns.

At New Life Recovery, we emphasize nutritional education alongside fitness therapy, ensuring that individuals receive the nourishment they need to support their physical and mental health.

Building a Sustainable Fitness Routine for Long-Term Recovery

Recovery is more than getting through today. It’s about creating a lifestyle that supports long-term well-being. We help individuals develop fitness routines that are realistic, enjoyable, and sustainable, whether it’s yoga, strength training, outdoor activities, or cardiovascular exercise.

By finding the movement they love, individuals can build confidence, maintain motivation, and create lasting change in their lives while recovering.

Treatment and Healing Programs at New Life Recovery

New Life Recovery provides several SUD and mental health treatment programs that integrate fitness therapy. These options range from inpatient care to partial hospitalization and intensive outpatient programs.

Inpatient Treatment

In our residential program, fitness therapy can be seamlessly woven into daily routines. Individuals will engage in activities that promote strength, endurance, and stress relief, including:

Morning yoga to improve flexibility, mindfulness, and emotional regulation
Strength training and bodyweight exercises to build resilience and self-confidence
Outdoor activities like hiking and group sports to encourage connection and teamwork
Breathwork and meditation to reinforce mental clarity and relaxation

Partial Hospitalization Program (PHP)

For those in our PHP, maintaining physical wellness alongside mental health treatment is essential. Individuals can participate in a structured, yet flexible, fitness therapy routine, including:

Cardiovascular workouts (running, cycling, swimming) to support heart health and mood stabilization
Circuit training for building endurance and self-discipline
Guided recreational therapy, incorporating movement-based healing practices like nature walks and stretching sessions

Intensive Outpatient Program (IOP)

As individuals transition into our IOP, fitness therapy remains a foundational pillar of their ongoing recovery.

We encourage individuals to continue engaging in physical activity even outside our treatment program that aligns with their personal interests, such as:

Solo or group workouts at local gyms or outdoor spaces
Martial arts or dance classes for emotional expression and discipline
Mindfulness-based movement practices like Tai Chi or guided breathwork

Personal Training and Wellness Programs

At New Life Recovery, personalized fitness training and wellness programs provide tailored client support. Certified trainers help create individualized fitness plans, while complementary therapies like nutritional education and holistic treatments further support recovery.

This comprehensive approach ensures clients develop a balanced and sustainable healthy lifestyle beyond treatment.

Role of Community and Group Fitness in Recovery

At New Life Recovery, we recognize that healing doesn’t happen in isolation. Community support is a cornerstone of long-term holistic recovery, and group fitness provides a powerful way to build connection, accountability, and motivation.

The Power of Group Workouts in Healing

Participating in group exercises fosters camaraderie and shared progress, reinforcing the idea that no one has to recover alone. Whether it’s a guided yoga session, a group hike, or a strength training circuit, these activities create a positive support system that encourages consistency and growth.

Building Social Connections Through Fitness

Many individuals in recovery have experienced isolation, making social reintegration a key aspect of healing.

Group fitness is beneficial in many ways, including:

Helping strengthen communication skills and teamwork
Encouraging peer support and motivation
Providing a healthy, substance-free way to connect with others

Encouraging Long-Term Commitment to Physical Health

Recovery is a lifelong journey, and fitness can be a sustainable, empowering part of that process. By instilling a routine of movement and wellness, we help clients:

Develop healthy coping strategies for stress and cravings
Cultivate self-discipline and personal growth
Find joy in movement as a lifelong tool for mental and physical well-being

Treatment Options at New Life Recovery

New Life Recovery can help you address the complex interplay of substance use disorders and mental health conditions with integrated treatment for lasting healing.

Our programs combine evidence-based and holistic approaches, tailored to individual needs. We can utilize these alongside fitness therapy, ensuring long-term health. Some of these therapy options include:

Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)

CBT helps individuals identify and modify negative thought patterns and behaviors that contribute to their symptoms. It equips individuals with the coping skills they need to manage triggers and improve emotional regulation.

Dialectical Behavior Therapy (DBT)

DBT focuses on teaching mindfulness, distress tolerance, emotion regulation, and interpersonal effectiveness. It is particularly beneficial for individuals struggling with intense emotions and relationship difficulties.

Eye Movement Desensitization and Reprocessing (EMDR)

EMDR addresses trauma-related symptoms by helping individuals process traumatic memories. It reduces distress and promotes healing from past experiences, which often underlie SUD and mental health conditions.

Motivational Interviewing (MI)

MI fosters intrinsic motivation for change, helping individuals explore ambivalence and commit to recovery. It empowers clients to identify their own reasons for change and build self-efficacy.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

If you want to learn more about how fitness therapy can be incorporated into your recovery process, we invite you to contact us at New Life Recovery. Our dedicated team is here to provide you with the support, resources, and guidance you need to transform your life and achieve lasting recovery.

Call us or reach out online to learn more about how fitness therapy can become an integral part of your recovery. Let us help you build a healthy, active, and fulfilling life – one step at a time.

Love Your Life. Choose a Healthier You. Choose Recovery.

Resources

Mental Health & Wellness

Comprehensive Guide to Substance Use Disorder Programs: Your Path to Recovery

April 18, 2025

Substance Use Disorder Therapy in Fresno: Healing the Body & Mind

April 16, 2025

Trauma Healing Through Mindfulness: A Path to Lasting Recovery

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Fitness Therapy: Movement is Medicine

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