You may feel like getting a drink after a long workday. The problem is that if you plan on working out the following day, you may end up feeling dehydrated and wind up with an impaired reaction time as well as restless sleep. By going into treatment for alcoholism, you might not have to worry about dehydration or loss of coordination for your next workout.
Causes Dehydration
Alcohol causes you to urinate more and absorb less water into the body. This can make you shaky, dizzy, confused and can cause muscle cramps. When you lose sweat due to your workout, you may start to experience a hangover headache. Dehydration can also make it hard to regulate your body temperature, causing your body to overheat when exercising. If too much stress is put on your heart, it can be difficult to push through your aerobic exercises.
Lowers Strength
When you are dehydrated, your workout performance will suffer since you will not have enough blood flowing through your muscles. Reduced blood circulation means less strength. You are more tired because your muscles are not getting the blood and nutrients it needs. Muscles take stored sugar from your liver to convert it to glucose. If your liver is too busy processing alcohol, this will leave your muscles running on empty. You will experience more fatigue, cramping, and a longer recovery time. Exercising without fuel increases your risk of muscle strain and injury.
Ruins Sleep
Your body is too busy processing alcohol to give you the good night’s sleep your body needs. Drinking even just a little alcohol before bed can interfere with your REM cycle, which you need for a nice rest. Alcohol can cause you to wake up in the middle of the night or spend less time in deep sleep. Constantly waking up in the middle of the night will not put you in the mood for a workout.
How to Deal with Alcohol’s Side Effects
Drinking plenty of water will combat a hangover. Eating carbs can give you the fuel you need that alcohol took away. The best way to avoid dealing with a hangover and risking injury during your workout is to abstain from alcohol completely. Exercising is one of the best things for your body, while alcohol will deplete your energy and hydration. If your alcoholism is getting out of control, seek treatment now for a smooth-running workout and a healthy life.
Working out in the morning after a night of drinking can be very dangerous to your health. Hangovers can cause you to be dehydrated, lose your strength, and give you a bad night’s sleep. Abstaining from alcohol is the key to a healthy workout. At Alta Loma, we understand how hard it is to abstain from alcohol and the importance of exercising. Our transformative treatment center in Georgetown, Texas, can give you the tools you need for a successful recovery, such as therapeutic recreational activities, 12-step programs, individualized therapy, and much more. Please call us at (866) 457-3843 for more information.
