It’s likely that you won’t need me to say that trying to overcome an addiction to alcohol is not a quick fix. It takes time, willpower and a genuine want to change your life. However, throughout this journey I have been on for the past few years, I have noticed there are certain things that have really helped me to sustain a life of sobriety. These are the things that I want to share with you, in the hope that they can also help you as well if you are starting on your sobriety journey, or if you are struggling to retain an alcohol-free life.

I have in previous blogs explored a number of things that can help and aid recovery for an alcohol addiction. These include support communities, YouTube Channels, support programmes and much more, but there is one thing I haven’t focused on before which has also been a fantastic aid to me and that’s running. I have always loved to run and even before my alcohol-free life, I use to run marathons throughout different countries. However, I never used it as an aid to help me recover from my addiction. In fact, when I was in the grips of my addiction, I used my running as an excuse to be able to drink more! When I started my sobriety journey, I was amazed at how much better and more enjoyable running became and for me it has felt like a therapy which has helped me now to keep focused on my sobriety.

I wanted to share with you in this blog about the benefits I have experienced from running and hopefully, it will help to give you some insight and some inspiration if you are considering taking up running.

#1 Fantastic stress reliever

It’s something that is hard to put into words but the stress relieving effects of running really can’t be over exaggerated. I personally love running outdoors – The fresh air, scenery, seeing other people running, just getting out of house! It always amazes me that no matter how much of a stressful day I have had, all is forgotten whilst I am running. My mind is solely focused on my breathing, pace and distance and for that time, I am completely present in the moment of running. You also get the endorphins kick in once your have completed your run and that feel good factor of doing something healthy and making you feel good about yourself never gets old!

#2 Sense of control

I have always loved to run, even when in the grips of my addiction because I knew deep down that it was the one thing I had full control over. I chose when and where I wanted to run and for how long for. It was something I could do on my own and I didn’t need anything else to assist me. The same could not be said for my drinking where I had zero control and it was completely running the show, but not when I was running. I have continued to feel this fantastic sense of control with my sobriety and running, but now I just feel even better when I am out there.

#3 Improved self-image

The feel-good factor of running is not short-lived after you have finished a run. The positive mental benefits continue to last. I firmly believe that if you were to make running a part of your weekly routine and you currently don’t feel great about yourself, this will start to change quickly for you. Just the act of doing something positive for your health and wellbeing will greatly increase your self-image. It will help to keep you on an alcohol-free path as you are taking care of yourself and it is something that is working well for me.

#4 Support community

I have often commented about how certain sober support groups have helped me and it is one of the main reasons I created my own free support group on Facebook. However, I have also been amazed at how powerful having a running support group is for overall feel good and motivation to keep on track. When you start to enjoy and properly take up running, there are so many different running clubs and groups available which offer a new way to socialise and meet new people which is not focused around drink, but focused on sustaining and improving on your running.

#5 Fit body fit mind

When you start taking care of your body in terms of exercise, you naturally will also want to start eating and drinking well to provide yourself with the energy you need to recover from running. As a result, you will notice that with a fit body, how well your mental health starts to improve as well. Now I no longer drink and I focus on my running and overall health, I could not imagine going back to the place I was in where drinking was everything.

I really do hope that this blog helps you if you are considering whether you should take up running and wondering whether it will also aid your recovery. My biggest piece of advice is to just try it, even if you have never run before, start small with something like the Couch to 5k and you will be amazed at how in a short space of time your running will improve and it becomes enjoyable.

Are you trying running to help aid your recovery or have you noticed yourself the benefits that running has had on your life? I would love to hear about your experiences in the comments section below, they may also provide some excellent inspiration for others who are starting out or running curious.