Healthy Habits for Individuals in Recovery
Guest Post by Molly Anderson
Substance addiction has many treatments, but no matter how you choose to find a sober path, it’s important to remember that finding healthy habits — and creating healthy routines in order to maintain them — is also an imperative part of recovery.
Living sober is a lifelong commitment, and in many cases, it’s a lifelong job that you must work hard at in order to succeed. Seeking help is the first step, but you must follow it up with the desire to treat your mind and body well every day. Eating right, reducing stress, getting enough sleep, and exercising daily are all great ways to get started.
Looking for ways you can incorporate these healthy habits into your daily routine will help you maintain them and stay motivated. For instance, you might find a hobby that you enjoy doing that mixes relaxation with a workout (such as swimming). Don’t be afraid to make it fun so you’ll be more apt to stick with it, and get a friend or family member involved so there will be a social aspect to it. Keep reading for some great tips on how to incorporate healthy habits into your life during recovery.
Create a Room for Relaxation
One of the best ways to form healthy habits that you can stick to is to create an area in your home specifically for that focus. Yoga and meditation have been widely used to help individuals during recovery because they help reduce stress, boost fitness, and repair muscles and joints, and it can be done just about anywhere. Having a space in your home just for this practice will allow you to remove distractions and stressors — such as the bills sitting on your kitchen counter — so you can focus solely on feeling better. Read on here for some tips on how to create such a space.
Find Ways to Get Active
Staying active will not only help you get fit, but it will also boost your mental health and allow you to get social, both of which are major benefits during recovery. Whether you want to take the dog for a walk every morning or join a workout group with friends, getting active every day — even if it’s only for 15 or 20 minutes — will have a positive impact on your mind and body.
Get Enough Sleep
Getting adequate sleep — both in quality and quantity — will help you stay sharp and energized no matter what’s on your schedule. When we get off our sleep routines due to anxiety, stress, or substance abuse, it can make us feel exhausted and can have negative effects on everything from heart health to mood. It can also prevent you from performing well at school or work, so make it a point to create a bedtime routine — such as taking a hot shower, reading, and turning off all devices that emit blue light — so you can get better rest.
Healthy Eating
It can be hard to find healthy eating habits when you’re in recovery; many people turn to food for comfort when withdrawal or cravings begin to set in, which can lead to bad habits. Make a list before you go grocery shopping and stick to it rather than making impulse buys (it will help if you eat before you go so you won’t be tempted by hunger), and look for meals online that are easy to make and include healthy ingredients, such as whole grains, fresh veggies, and protein.
Finding healthy habits during recovery can help motivate you to keep taking good care of yourself, which is an essential part of the battle against substance abuse. Once you get into a routine, it will be easier for you to make better decisions.
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