When most people think about health and fitness, they think about the physical benefits, such as losing weight or having energy. However, health is not just feeling good physically; it is also feeling good mentally. The mind and body are interconnected and both are critical to well being. When a person in addiction treatment implements physical and mental self-care into their daily routine, both body and brain benefit.
Western medicine tends to focus heavily on separating “mind” and “body” as though they are two unrelated areas of health. But there is plenty of scientific evidence that regular exercise is critical for the maintenance of good mental health, especially for people in addiction treatment, and may even be helpful in the treatment of chronic mental illness such as anxiety and depression. Experts know that in many cases, exercise may be equally beneficial to medication for a wide variety of mental health conditions, including dementia and schizophrenia, and has the added benefit of improving mental fitness as we age.
Sarah Gingell, PhD, writes, “Put simply: Exercise directly affects the brain. Regular exercise increases the volume of certain brain regions—in part through better blood supply that improves neuronal health by improving the delivery of oxygen and nutrients; and through an increase in neurotrophic factors and neurohormones that support neuron signaling, growth, and connections.” Fitness offers mental wellness benefits to everyone and may be especially beneficial for those in addiction counseling.
Individuals who exercise regularly find that making fitness part of their lives gives them a strong sense of well being. They tend to have higher energy levels, sleep well at night, and feel more positive about themselves. These are all beneficial to addiction counseling and increasing your self-esteem. By implementing the simple habit of fitness into your daily routine, you can improve your mental wellness and find yourself more prepared to handle the inevitable stress and uncertainty that life throws your way.
So you want to take great care of your body during Chandler addiction treatment by starting a fitness program. Both your mind and body will repeat the rewards! Follow these simple pointers to improve your overall fitness and make your exercise plan even more successful.
Most people know that eating a healthy diet is important. For mental wellness, it’s especially important to eat a nutrient-rich diet that includes vitamin B-12, omega-3 fatty acids, and amino acids. Each of these nutrients is vital for brain and mental health. Vitamin B-12 is crucial for the development of red blood cells, DNA, and RNA. Amino acids such as tryptophan and tyrosine are responsible for the aiding in the production of hormones such as serotonin, dopamine, and norepinephrine. A deficiency in these hormones can be a cause of depression and other mental health issues. Working with a Chandler wellness clinic to design the best diet for you is a great way to improve both your fitness and your mental well being.
A lack of sleep leads to irritability, anxiety, and physical problems such as high blood pressure. All of these affect stress hormones and your brain’s ability to manage your emotions and mental wellness, which can make your addiction treatment more difficult. A great way to combat this is to make quality sleep a priority in your life. A regular schedule and evening routine will help you get the seven to nine hours of sleep you need each day. Avoid excessive use of your phone, TV, or other screens in the evening to help yourself wind down and prepare your mind for the rest you need to function optimally.
There are other elements of self care that work with fitness to promote your mental wellness. Improve your self esteem and increase your positivity by journaling. A strong support network is also a helpful tool in addiction therapy to promote your self image. Friends help you remember your strengths and keep you from being too hard on yourself.
The practice of gratitude is another way to improve your overall well being. Focus on what you can control and let go of excessive worrying. Instead of replaying the worst case scenario in your mind, which leads to headaches and panic, remind yourself of solutions and take deep, calming breaths. In addiction counseling you may work through the reminder that you cannot control everything that life throws at you, but you will find a happier and more fulfilling life by focusing on your responses and what you can control.
Lastly, increasing your emotional IQ is an important piece of your mental wellness. Mindful meditation can be a wonderful tool for this. During meditation, you do your best to avoid analyzing and just take in all the details of what is going on around you so you can respond positively and calmly. While your life takes ups and downs, prioritize your mental well being in addiction therapy and the practice of responding positively. Seeing yourself and your life situations in a positive light can help you feel more motivated to make healthier lifestyle choices such as fitness, eating well, and prioritizing good sleep. Mental well being helps you become more resilient and better able to handle life’s curveballs.
Call Corebella Health & Wellness if you are ready to get sober and learn more about our drug treatment center. Our addiction clinic offers a variety of treatment options, including a wellness clinic, medically supervised detox by a suboxone doctor, and group and individual counseling services. Contact us today!
2600 E Southern Ave Suite E-1
Tempe, Arizona 85282
Office: (480) 409-0322
5700 W Olive Ave, Suite 107
Glendale, AZ 85302
Office: (602) 4929595
6565 E Greenway Parkway Suite 102,
Scottsdale, AZ 85254
Office: (602) 649-0677
Email: [email protected]
FAX: 877-559-2816
Kendahl is a licensed clinical social worker (LCSW) skilled in trauma-informed care, centered in a strengths-based lens. Kendahl believes that no person is broken, and everyone deserves to be treated with dignity and respect while trusting their own inherent worth.
Kendahl specializes in creating safe and inclusive environments to provide effective client-centered care, where all people can feel accepted, seen, and valued during their healing journey.
Kendahl is passionate about removing barriers to treatment for all, within a collective and collaborative community. As an advocate for human rights, Kendahl utilizes social work ethics and social justice to drive their passion for serving others. As an artist and mentor turned behavioral health professional, Kendahl conscientiously integrates the creative process and best evidence-based practices, to guide their vision, and model a path to holistic healing.
Dr. Nicki Rippeteau grew up in suburban Detroit and in Missouri. She graduated from University of Central Missouri and University of Missouri-Kansas City school of medicine. She trained at the Mayo Clinic and remained on staff at Mayo for 5 years, receiving Board Certification in Anesthesiology.
Dr. Rippeteau practiced Anesthesiology and Interventional Pain Management in Texas, Oklahoma and Missouri for over 30 years.
The last several years, she has been committed to the practice of Addiction Medicine, emphasizing a holistic approach, addressing needs of both the body and the mind.
When not practicing medicine, she likes to cook and enjoys spending time with her two dogs, family, and especially her grandchildren.
Dr. M. Khoury is a graduate of Michigan State University. He obtained his medical degree at Wayne State University in Detroit, Michigan. His residency was in Family Medicine as part of the William Beaumont hospital system. He moved to Arizona in 2001.
Dr. Khoury has over twenty-five years of experience in primary and urgent care. He served as an urgent care director for the Honor Health System. Dr. Khoury is board certified in Family Medicine, a member of The American Family Physicians and a member of American Medical Association. Dr. Khoury has a special interest in addiction medicine. He enjoys making a difference in people’s lives. He looks forward to helping people change their lives for the better and help them see that there is a bright future ahead of them.
He enjoys traveling and his favorite destinations to visit have been Europe and Mexico. He likes to watch football every Sunday and cheers on The Arizona Cardinals. Dr. Khoury loves to spend time with his family. He enjoys taking his two daughters and his wife to new restaurants and local attractions such as the Phoenix Zoo, learning from the local museums and strolling through the Desert Botanical Garden as a family.
With the growing concerns around the Coronavirus (COVID-19), we want to take a moment to reassure our Corebella family that we are taking all the necessary precautions to ensure your health and safety as we continue to operate. We know how important our service can be during this time of need. That’s why our doors will remain open for our patients and anyone in need of our services.
At Corebella we practice rigorous cleaning and sanitation procedures and we have implemented extra precautions to ensure that our clinics remain safe and comfortable places.
We are closely monitoring the situation and will continue to follow the guidelines from the CDC and public health experts. The health and wellbeing of our patients, employees, and community is our top priority.
You can reach our Tempe office by phone at (480) 409-0322 or our Glendale office at (602) 492-9595. You can also schedule your appointment or submit your questions online at our contact page https://www.corebellawellness.com/contact/
We are here for you
The Corebella Team