Here’s How To End 2020 Sober

December 27, 2020 - Life in Recovery - 0 Comments

Are you someone who wants to end 2020 sober? Maybe you are struggling with substance abuse and you want to start anew…Perhaps you have relapsed this year and you’re planning to be sober again… Or maybe you are already in recovery and you are determined to continue being sober.

Wherever you are in your sobriety journey, there will surely be hard times. These are the times when you will be tempted to have just one drink or take one hit just to forget what’s troubling you. Don’t worry, you’re not alone. Millions of people experience the same challenges in sobriety.

It is not always going to be easy but as long as you are committed in your recovery, you can withstand all these challenges. If you are struggling right now, here are some tips that could help you stay on track in your sobriety journey.

Avoid stressful and anxiety-inducing situations

To say that 2020 is a challenging year is an understatement. The awful events that took place, including the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, have affected the lives of many people around the world. The fear of the virus, unemployment, and other uncertainties cause so much anxiety. For people who are struggling with substance abuse as well as people in recovery, the pandemic brought additional challenges such as increased isolation and limited coping strategies.

To avoid relapse, one important thing you need to do is to avoid stressful and anxiety-inducing situations. For example, if you are always anxious because of the negative news you hear on the media, minimize your TV time. If you are stressed out about working long hours, look for better time management methods you can adopt. If you have people around you who always stress you out, limit your interactions with them.

Practice self-care activities

Self-care is all about taking care of yourself. It includes prioritizing your physical, emotional, and mental well being.  This is very important in recovery because if your overall well being is great, there is a lower risk of relapsing.

Some helpful self-care activities include exercise, eating a healthy diet (avoiding junk food), meditation, relaxation, having “me time”, and doing things that you enjoy. When you put yourself first, you can have more to give. As the cliché goes: You cannot pour from an empty glass.

Connect with people that help you with your recovery

Isolation can be very dangerous for people in recovery. When you are alone, this can cause you to feel unwanted, unloved, and useless. It is then very critical that you always surround yourself with people who are supportive of your recovery. These are people who will not judge you for your past mistakes, instead, they understand what you have gone through and they want you to be better.

While it may be hard to be a part of physical recovery meetings and sobriety events due to the pandemic, you can still stay connected virtually. Don’t hesitate to be the first one to reach out, especially if you’re feeling the blues.

Always be thankful

While there have been many terrible events that happened this year, we still have a lot to be thankful for. Start a gratitude journal and list the things that you feel thankful about. These things don’t need to be grandiose material things or having a plush lifestyle. Start with the simple things like having a place to sleep last night, having a proper meal this morning, or having someone to talk to when you feel down. Creating this list will help you realize that you are still fortunate and there is still so much to live for.

Plan your 2021 by setting new goals

Many people Self-care because they become hopeless about the future. They think that there’s nothing good that’s going to happen to them. To avoid having this mindset, you can jumpstart your future by planning ahead. Set new goals – no matter how big or how small. Your goal can be something like getting a new job, moving to a new city, learning how to cook, or organizing your closet. By setting goals, you are looking forward to your future and it builds your desire and motivation to do better.

Don’t hesitate to ask for help

If you feel that you are unable to quit your addiction by yourself or if you are in danger of relapsing, don’t be afraid to ask for help. Seeking professional help is one of the most effective ways to recover from substance abuse.

Contact Lighthouse Treatment today.