Exercise as a tool to create positive behavioral change
Alcohol is such an integral part of our society, that it can be difficult to get away from sometimes, and especially at this time of year. Do not get me wrong, not all alcohol consumption is inherently bad, nor does it inherently make you unwell. The quantity and environment that alcohol is consumed in has a lot to do with how your system is impacted.
However, I think it is beneficial to understand what current research shows us about the positive relationship between exercise, and improving someone’s negative relationship with alcohol. The study cited below was published in March of 2021, and the study concluded that a brief stint of aerobic exercise lowered an active craving for alcohol in adults that were struggling with their relationship with alcohol. While I think it is also important to mention that there was data that showed improved mood in these adults after the aerobic exercise.
To be clear, this study is targeting adults that have addictive behavioral patterns with alcohol. That being said, based on current research, exercise that fits this description continues to be one of the commonly used tools in combating addictive alcohol use behaviors.
I would not go as far to say that those who are working on a more positive relationship with alcohol in general, should strictly follow this or any protocol. I do not have the data, to back that statement.
What I would agree on, is that we have overwhelming amounts of research that supports how healthy and well regular physical activity helps us to be. On the contrary, any research that would support alcohol as “healthy” in any sense is not equal in volume, or quality of research.
So, what does this look like in real life? Well, I think it looks different for everyone. For one person, it could be taking what used to be a nightly drink, and adjusting to only having a drink 2-3 nights a week when he/she does not have a workout the next day. Another example could be someone who only has drinks on Friday and Saturday night, cutting down to just Saturday night, because they start to do Saturday morning hikes with a friend.
Neither example above, is an execution of the study cited at the beginning of this post. These people would not go workout, or go hiking in the actual moment instead of consuming alcohol. Instead, it is about creating time and space in your day/week where physical activity would be more likely to happen, than consuming alcohol. Then, allowing yourself to acknowledge the difference in how you feel, when you are successful in doing this. And by allowing yourself to acknowledge that you feel different in such a positive way, you create a positive feedback loop that supports you in continuing this trade off for your Wellness!
Again, as I said earlier in the post, I do not believe that all alcohol consumption is inherently bad. This is simply meant to provoke thought surrounding your relationship with both alcohol, and physical activity, while understanding what a powerful tool exercise can be as a tool to promote positive behavior change.
Sources
Hallgren M, Vancampfort D, Hoang MT, Andersson V, Ekblom Ö, Andreasson S, Herring MP. Effects of acute exercise on craving, mood and anxiety in non-treatment seeking adults with alcohol use disorder: An exploratory study. Drug Alcohol Depend. 2021 Mar 1;220:108506. doi: 10.1016/j.drugalcdep.2021.108506. Epub 2021 Jan 8. PMID: 33461151.
