What is the relationship between sport and addiction?

Let's see what is the relationship between the regular practice of sport and addictions.

On this occasion, from this small corner we want to talk about whether or not sport really plays a role when we are trying to overcome an addiction..

For this reason, we will talk about whether this habit brings benefits at this level and how important it is to prevent falling into addiction, as well as see if it has any harmful consequences in this whole process.

Does sport have any benefits?

The studies affirm that yes of resounding way, since the sport helps us to have covered some of the most important parcels that there are in our physical and mental well-being.

It is necessary to take into consideration that keeping active provides us with a great number of benefits for our body, such as the prevention of diabetes and obesity.

It also helps us to improve the entire Cardiovascular system, as well as promotes the growth of our lung capacity or the increase of our muscles, which makes it easier to avoid injuries.

But the advantages of practicing sports not only remain here, but also, the person who does sport regularly also experience emotional and psychological benefits, such as a decrease in stress and anxiety levels, better management of depressive symptoms, and a reduction in the risk of depression.The person who does sport on a regular basis also experiences emotional and psychological benefits, such as reduced stress and anxiety, better management of depressive symptoms and a general feeling of well-being.

Moreover, when practicing certain sports there are other benefits that are directly related to sharing an activity with other people. This, among other things, allows us to create new friendships, learn to work as a team and compete with others in a healthy way.

All the aforementioned teaches us that practicing a sport has clear positive consequences. All this leads us to think that, if for people who are not addicts it has these benefits, for addicts or people who tend to be addicts it can also be very good. Is that so?

Sport and addiction

It is important to emphasize the fact that addicts often seek a refuge where they can feel good in the addictive object, either that, or what they do is try to find powerful and stimulating experiences in a quick way. And when someone does some kind of sport on a regular basis, he or she will surely find in this activity a considerable relief.

Let's imagine that a person has lost a loved one very recently. Not being able to stop thinking that this person is no longer there makes him feel very bad. He turns to drugs, of any kind, to try to forget that suffering, and that is when a friend encourages him to play sports, for example, to play soccer.

Most probably, the addict will put all his attention on soccer, he will even feel excited about belonging to a team (with all the implications of that). (with all the implications that this entails). By playing with others, he will be able to feel more relaxed, thanks to the fact that sport produces neurotransmitters and that he begins to develop a bond with other people. All of these factors will help you stop thinking about the drug, as soccer will be what helps you feel better.

As you can see, the assumption that sport is good for fighting addictions is not at all wrong. If the addict has the ability to remain focused on the practice of sport and have the necessary motivation, this habit will be a very important ally so that he or she does not fall back into drugs. In addition, having other companions around will also be a determining factor for this.

However, could there be a negative side to all this?

The less positive side of sport for addicts

Although we have already seen that sport is beneficial for addicts, this, like everything else, can have its negative side if we do not take into account the following.

If the person has an obsessive or excessively competitive profile, this can be a little more complicated. this can be a bit more complicated, not to mention, of course, the risk of injury. It is possible that the person starts to do sport with the best of intentions, to feel healthy, but the competitiveness or obsession can turn it into an addiction. Let's not forget that any behavior that requires effort and that we like can get us hooked, so it is advisable not to focus exclusively on them.

From all this, we can conclude that sport is good for almost anyone, and that for potential addicts it is a form of prevention. However, we must always keep an eye on it so that it does not become a problem.