How could being physically active prevent you from turning to harmful substances when you experience difficulties in life?

Question: How could being physically active prevent you from turning to harmful substances when you experience difficulties in life?

Physical activity can help prevent you from turning to harmful substances when you experience difficulties in life in a few ways:

• It releases endorphins. Endorphins are hormones that have mood-boosting effects. When you exercise, your body releases endorphins, which can help to improve your mood and reduce feelings of stress, anxiety, and depression. These are all emotions that can make you more likely to turn to harmful substances.
• It improves self-esteem. When you exercise regularly, you start to feel better about yourself. You may feel stronger, more confident, and more capable. This can help to reduce your reliance on harmful substances as a way to cope with difficult emotions.
• It provides a distraction. When you are feeling stressed or overwhelmed, it can be helpful to have something to focus on other than your problems. Physical activity can provide a welcome distraction and help you to clear your head.
• It creates a sense of community. Many forms of physical activity, such as team sports or group fitness classes, can help you to connect with other people. This can provide you with a sense of belonging and support, which can be helpful in coping with difficult times.
• It helps you to develop healthy coping mechanisms. Physical activity can teach you how to deal with stress and difficult emotions in a healthy way. When you learn how to manage your emotions without resorting to harmful substances, you are less likely to turn to them in the future.

If you are struggling with substance use, physical activity can be a helpful tool in your recovery. Talk to your doctor or a mental health professional about how to incorporate physical activity into your treatment plan.

Here are some specific examples of how physical activity can help to prevent substance use:

• A study published in the journal "Addiction" found that people who exercised regularly were less likely to smoke cigarettes.
• Another study, published in the journal "Prevention Science", found that physical activity was associated with a lower risk of alcohol use disorder.
• A third study, published in the journal "Drug and Alcohol Dependence", found that physical activity was associated with a lower risk of illicit drug use.

These studies suggest that physical activity can be a helpful way to prevent substance use. If you are struggling with substance use, talk to your doctor or a mental health professional about how to incorporate physical activity into your treatment plan.