Self-Care

noun \ˈself \ – \ˈker\

Celebrate your sobriety by taking time for yourself. It is critical to take some quiet time each day for relaxation and meditation. Be mindful of how you feel and others make you feel. Your emotion well-being is crucial to how you live each day. Check in with yourself and see if you are taking care of your health and well-being in the following areas of self-care.

Find new hobbies that you enjoy.

To change your lifestyle for the better, find a new hobby to replace all the time and money you had spent previously on your alcohol addiction. Everyone has something they enjoyed before addiction consumed their entire lives. Think about your childhood, so often the things we think we must do is rooted in our childhood. It’s something that we did very freely. The list is endless, but a few suggestions include painting, writing, drawing, or photography. Any healthy activity that gets you out and about, can bring you joy and help you on this path of recovery.

Proper nutrition inside and out.

In order to become healthy on the inside you should adopt a healthy diet. Proper nutrition is key to repair the damages that may have occurred due to alcohol addiction. Eating healthier will also help reduce stress and make you feel better emotionally. Stock up on delicious whole food. Don’t buy processed junk food or soda. Being mindful of what you are putting in your body will make you feel better mentally and physically.

Find a physical activity you enjoy. 

Exercise can improve your physical and mental health. Integrating a good exercise routine into your life can be a game-changer for your body, inside and out. It can reduce stress and really improve your mood. Running is a good example of a physical activity that is challenging, makes you feel better mentally, and helps you fill the free time that sobriety has given you. Being a part of a gym or joining a group activity in your community can also help you build your social network. The camaraderie of healthy competition in the gym can give you a boost of endorphins and the desire to be a part of something bigger than yourself.

Get a good support system in place.

One of the hardest things in recovery is that the people you used to hang out with, and who drank with you, are no longer a viable option to you now. Unfortunately this may mean severing ties with some of your former friends. You may have to form a new group of friends and build on a strong social support group that will be healthy for your recovery. Here is a list of great ideas for things to do with your friends and/or spouse while maintaining your sobriety.

Practice gratitude.

In order to be a happier and less stressed person, you might want to practice more gratitude in your daily life. Grateful people are happier and less stressed. Be grateful for the little things during your recovery. Something that might have seemed mundane or you took for granted, might be the best thing you could have noticed.

Avoid tricky situations where alcohol is present.

Everyone is getting together after work at the local bar to drink and unwind. Can you avoid drinking and still enjoy your time with your coworkers? Certain places are a minefield for people in recovery, with triggers all around. Distance yourself from this environment and anyone who doesn’t respect your wishes to stay sober.

In summary

It’s important for your lasting sobriety to create a lifestyle that reflects your healthy habits through good self-care. Make sure to take care of your basic needs and ground yourself in your recovery. Checking in with yourself is important, and utilizing this list will keep you in check on a daily basis on this path to recovery.

For those of you who are still drinking, we encourage you to take time for self-care. Some of you may be mothers who drink, where self-care is hard to do as busy moms. Taking time for yourself usually takes the back-burner with the daily demands of kids. A great tool to empower you on your journey to a healthier lifestyle is using hypnotherapy. Many people have used hypnotherapy as a tool to overcome alcohol dependence, and it can change your life too! Check out our programs and book a free consultation session today.