August 25, 2021 - Life in Recovery - 0 Comments
If you are in addiction recovery, it is important to develop daily habits that will help you stay on the right path and maintain sobriety without having to rely on a substance for relief. It is daily habits that make the difference in addiction recovery. With daily habits, you can build a stronger foundation for your future and create a better life.
In this blog post, we will take a look at 7 daily habits that will help keep you on track when overcoming addiction and staying sober!
Habit 1: Plan Your Day and Develop a Routine
Start the habit of planning your day. Before you go to sleep or as soon as you wake up each morning, have a mental (or written list) of things you want to do and achieve for that day. When you get into the habit of planning, gradually develop this into a routine that you follow everyday.
An example of a routine is waking up at the same time every day, going to bed at the same time each evening, or eating three meals per day, etc.
Having a regular routine is very important when in addiction recovery. Routine helps you stay on track and gives you a daily structure and can also help you avoid triggers. The best way to start building up your routine is by finding out what works well for you and what needs improvement then slowly work on making changes.
Habit 2: Eat Healthy
Don’t underestimate the power of good food. When you’re recovering from substance abuse, your body needs proper nourishment. You have to recover from the damage the substances caused to your system, and what better way than by feeding your body healthy nutrients?
You have to eat regular meals to avoid feeling hungry. Make sure to prioritize healthy, whole foods over junk foods and sugary snacks. When you eat healthy, you will feel better and less prone to mood swings.
Habit 3: Stay Active
Exercise is a daily activity that many people in addiction recovery need. Depending on the severity of one’s addiction-related issues, it can be difficult to find the motivation needed for daily exercise. However, you have to keep in mind that exercise does not need to be boring.
If you are not the type of person who likes going to the gym, find an active pursuit that you actually enjoy. Find a team sport like football, baseball, or basketball. You can also explore solo sports like biking, hiking, and running. If you’re looking for something exciting, try out adventure sports like rock climbing or surfing.
Habit 4: Mindful Meditation
Finding a quiet time alone each day to just stay still and meditate can do wonders for your mental health. Mindful meditation has been proven by research to improve sleep, lower stress levels, and even reduce chronic pain.
It is best if you set a regular time each day to meditate instead of just doing it when you feel anxious. Your meditation session does not need to take long. Meditating 15 minutes to 30 minutes a day can be very beneficial.
Habit 5: Learn Something New
Learning is rewarding and can keep you away from succumbing to relapse triggers. When you learn something new each day, it is a great way to keep your brain stimulated and avoid boredom. It’s also a great feeling when you discover something you did not know before.
Start learning about things that interest you. Consider enrolling in an online course on something that interests you like yoga, cooking, painting or car repair. Or you can start by reading books or watching videos online.
Habit 6: Do Something You Enjoy
Think about the things that bring you joy that does not involve alcohol or substances. It can be as simple as eating your favorite food, listening to your favorite song, or having a chat with your best friend.
Now, be proactive in incorporating those things in your daily life. By doing something that you enjoy each day, you are able to consciously bring happiness in your life. This in turn can help reduce the risk of relapse.
Habit 7: Be Grateful
A lot of times, it’s easy to take for granted the simple things that are good in our lives. We are always blinded by the things that we don’t have which can cause us to be frustrated. While there is nothing wrong with being ambitious and striving hard for our dreams, we should also not forget to be grateful for what we have today.
Be grateful for all the people in your life. Be grateful for all the daily joys that you experience in your life, as well as those things that may not be so great but nevertheless teach you valuable lessons. Be thankful for each new experience and moment because it reveals something about yourself. Be grateful for being here and now because you have the opportunity to carve a better future for yourself.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.
Contact Lighthouse Treatment Center today.
