Self Care & Addiction Recovery

By Author: Care Addiction
Total Articles: 38
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Treatment and sober support are important, but self-care is crucial for an individual in recovery. Completing an addiction treatment program is a big step, but when an individual is in recovery, self-care can be an important resource.

In recovery when individuals attempt to navigate daily life and utilize the tools taught in rehab, they often feel triggers lurk around every corner. Practicing self-care and making yourself your top priority is a great way to avoid relapse triggers.

6 Ways To Practice Self-Care

1. Exercise

Running a marathon isn't necessary, but getting physical is important. Cycling or going for a walk are both good for releasing endorphins that relieve stress. Consider joining a sports league, trying surfing, exploring interesting hiking trails or taking part in a daily yoga class. Whatever self-care activities you choose, they can be as simple or complex as you wish.

2. Eat Healthy

Eating habits affect so many aspects of our physical, mental, and emotional well-being. ...
... Despite maintaining a healthy eating regimen, some substances, particularly alcohol, prevent your body from absorbing healthy nutrients from those foods.

Staying on track with your nutrition during addiction recovery can be helped by setting up a simple meal plan. It's important to eat a balanced diet, cut down on sugar and caffeine, and drink plenty of water. To help you find an achievable balanced lifestyle, a dietitian or nutritionist can help you determine specific dietary needs.

3. Get Sleep

A healthy diet and regular exercise are just as crucial as getting quality sleep, according to HealthLine. Our moods and perceptions of the day are affected by sleep, and people are more likely to approach the next day with a positive attitude if they slept well the night before. Physically and emotionally, maintaining a regular sleep pattern can be very beneficial.

4. Relax

There is often stress during recovery, which is one of the major causes of relapse. Reduce stress by getting a massage, practicing breathing exercises, getting physical and taking a walk, or scheduling time for reflection, journaling, and meditation.

5. Find Support

Support can be a group or person with whom you feel comfortable speaking about your personal experiences. In order to build a social support network, you should look for people who can provide trustworthy advice or have similar experiences to your own.

6. Set Boundaries

Having healthy boundaries means making decisions that are aligned with your own goals and values. By being the best version of yourself, you can better express yourself to others.

It might feel awkward, selfish or even embarrassing to say 'no' when you're used to always following what others want. Do it anyway and remind yourself that self-care is your right.

If you find yourself getting resentful or whining or complaining, it may be time to set boundaries. Identify what you need to do or say, then communicate it confidently. When you begin to consider your own needs and feelings first, you will see and feel a difference in your mental health.

Setbacks are part of the journey - and growing pains are normal. Taking care of yourself during recovery will become second nature as you develop new habits.

If you or a loved one need help for an addiction or alcohol problem, call us at: (630) 402-0144.