The journey of addiction recovery is a long one often filled with ups and downs. One of the most difficult things to master during this process is balancing many daily responsibilities while simultaneously recovering from an addiction. For some, it’s simply too difficult to deal with both at once.
Others get overwhelmed by all that needs to be done for them to get their life back together again, like finding employment or completing education goals. The following are healthy habits that can help you figure out what you need to do to recover successfully.
Keep Your Recovery Accountable by Telling Others
One of the most important aspects of addiction recovery is staying accountable for your actions. This can be done by making a list of all the things you are struggling with and why it’s so hard to stay away from drugs. This way, there are fewer secrets in your life, which means less stress associated with not being able to tell others how you truly feel inside. You should also keep those who care about you informed by filling them in on what you’ve learned through various meetings or other intrepid recovery programs.
Establish and Follow a Routine
The brain craves routine, which is one reason many people begin using drugs or alcohol in the first place. Without a set schedule that includes eating three meals per day at around the same time every single day, drug cravings tend to eventually lead to a relapse. It’s important to remember that without a strict routine, it can be hard to figure out what healthy habits could possibly fit into your lifestyle.
Find an Exercise Program
Exercise is as much a part of addiction recovery as eating healthy and attending support meetings because it helps the mind as well as the body. Working out also improves one’s self-esteem which tends to plummet during the initial stages of addiction recovery. Not only does exercise help you lose those extra pounds you’ve been carrying around for far too long, but it burns off all those excess endorphins in your brain and makes you feel good.
Stick to a Healthy Diet
Most people who suffer from addiction tend to eat junk food and drink soda during the day, not realizing how unhealthy this diet truly is. By sticking with a healthy diet that consists of vegetables and fruit, you’ll feel better both physically as well as mentally. You should avoid processed foods; these can cause cravings for drugs or alcohol.
Make Time for Friends & Family
During addiction recovery, it can be hard to focus on anything other than staying sober. But stopping by the house now and again to visit with friends and family shows those you care about that they matter just as much as your sobriety does. In fact, if you make time for your friends and family during the first few weeks of sobriety, you’ll soon realize that these are the people who mean the most to you.
Make Time for Yourself
It’s important to make time for yourself even though addiction recovery will always take top priority. That means no more staying out until 2 or 3 am on a weeknight because there is more work to be done on the weekends.
Making time for yourself also means carving some me-time into your schedule; maybe it’s getting some rest after work or cooking dinner with a spouse or significant other one night per week – whatever helps you relax so that your mind isn’t stressing over problems related to drugs or alcohol. Another way to do this is to take up an activity such as reading, writing, or drawing that can help you maintain a healthy and productive lifestyle.
Continue Seeking Help for Co-Occurring Disorders
People who suffer from addiction often also suffer from other mental illnesses. If you think you may be suffering from one or more of these disorders, seek professional help immediately. Addiction recovery centers usually have experts such as psychologists and counselors who can help through fighting mental health issues. Click here to learn more about how enrolling in a rehab center can work positively towards your recovery journey.
While addiction recovery takes some time, there are plenty of things anyone can do to stay positive and determined throughout the process. Whether you choose to meditate or just try your best to stay away from people who only contribute to the negativity in your life, it’s important that you do what makes you happy and keeps you on track.