At some point in treatment, you probably wrote a list of things within your life that create happiness or bring you joy. Why not use that list to build your network of healthy habits? If you can remember that list, then you can work from there. However, if not, take a moment and think about the things within your life that bring you joy.
Perhaps while in treatment, you were able to connect to an animal in animal-assisted therapy, or you may have volunteered your time to others. Either of those two examples can be an example of a healthy habit. There is no right or wrong healthy habit. The most important thing about healthy habits is focusing on habits that create happiness within yourself. If your heart is happy and a smile is present, a healthy habit could be in the making.
Maintaining healthy habits within recovery is one of the components of a healthy, happy life and stability within recovery. This article will discuss five key ways to maintain healthy habits in recovery.
#1. Creating a Schedule
In treatment, you most likely followed a schedule. Maintaining a schedule after leaving treatment can help you continue to hold yourself accountable. Creating a schedule can provide benefits to your daily life in several ways.
First, you will gain a sense of overall well-being by identifying what you plan to accomplish for that particular day. Second, you can gain control over the extra time within your day and plan for a fun activity. Third, creating a schedule will engage a routine you can use as a visual tool to create an overall sense of wellness.
Other benefits of routines in recovery include:
- Help you focus and think clearly
- Help you avoid triggers
- Prevent anxiety
- Promotes new habits
Seeing your schedule and the things you accomplished can increase your self-esteem, and you will have a sense of achievement.
#2. Volunteer Your Time
You may be thinking, “I do not have time to volunteer.” However, making time for things that are important to you can promote your recovery. If developing this healthy habit is something you are interested in, there are many ways you can volunteer and maintain a daily schedule.
Volunteering your time can create the peace you have been searching for within your recovery. You will be in contact with others to increase socialization, which can decrease loneliness and isolation. Volunteering can also help keep you accountable to a schedule and provide a boost in overall well-being. According to Greater Good Science Center’s article “How Volunteering Can Help Your Mental Health,” volunteering can boost your mental health.
#3. Attitude of Gratitude
Expressing gratitude daily is rewarding on many levels. A sense of gratitude is present when we sit within our thoughts and reflect on the blessings within our lives.
At times throughout your day, do you struggle with a lack of motivation? Try making a list of the things that you are grateful for. Gratitude increases mood stability, energy, positivity, connectivity, and more.
#4. Diet and Exercise
Diet and exercise can play a crucial role in recovery. Exercise releases endorphins and serotonin in the brain, which help improve your mood. You can even make exercise a group activity, which can help reduce feelings of loneliness and provide you with healthy support in recovery.
According to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, those who regularly participate in physical activity experience a “[R]educed risk of anxiety and depression, and improved sleep and overall quality of life.” Spending 30 minutes a day doing something physical is all it takes to experience the benefits of exercise.
Diet goes hand-in-hand with exercise. Experiencing active addiction can change your dietary habits. Certain substances can cause a lack of appetite. You may have also experienced poor eating habits due to monetary issues. Organ damage can also occur due to the effects of drugs and alcohol.
However, you can improve your well-being by practicing healthy eating habits. You can do this by creating a diet for yourself that helps balance the levels of serotonin in the brain. Foods that can help with this include foods high in carbohydrates, such as legumes, root vegetables, pasta, and bread. Combining this with food high in protein can help you create the healthiest diet for yourself.
#5. Connecting to Others
You have learned the importance of support throughout treatment, and now you must connect to establish a positive and healthy network of people who support your recovery. Establishing a connection within recovery is one of the main components of long-lasting and stable sobriety. A healthy connection is a space where you can create a positive experience to support your wellness in recovery.
You may begin to feel disappointed in the lack of connection to like-minded peers. However, The Guest House offers an alumni program to provide hope and connection. Connecting with others in recovery can help you find the support you need to sustain sobriety.
It can be stressful to create a habit, let alone figure out what healthy habits you want to incorporate within your lifestyle of recovery. Taking time out of your day to think about maintaining healthy habits can be a strenuous task. However, the answer may not be as stressful as you anticipate, and the hope you have been looking for is right here. The process of thinking about your healthy habits has already been established in treatment; however, maintaining healthy habits is key to a successful recovery. If you or a loved one is stuck on ways to maintain healthy habits and need support, The Guest House offers an alumni program that can be the answer to the question you have been asking yourself. Call us today at (855) 483-7800 to learn more about how we can help support you throughout your recovery.