Trying to quit an addiction on your own is hard. It can be tempting just to give up and go back to the old ways. But there are healthy habits you can develop that will help you avoid relapse in addiction recovery. The following blog post discusses 9 healthy habits that you can develop in order to avoid relapse of an addiction, such as alcoholism or drug abuse. We all know it takes more than willpower alone, so these healthy habits will make it easier for you to stay clean and sober- even when the going gets tough!
1. Eating Healthy Food
Food is fuel. If you are recovering from an addiction, you need healthy fuel to keep you healthy and strong. Indulging in alcohol and drugs can affect your overall health physically and mentally therefore, you need the right nutrients to recover.
Focus on whole, healthy foods like vegetables, fruits, lean meat, and healthy carbs. These healthy foods will keep you healthy and your blood sugar levels even. Eating healthy food can also help reduce cravings for those comfort foods that are high in fat, salt, and sugar.
2. Engaging in Regular Physical Activity
Get moving! Because addiction robs people of their physical health, it’s important to regain that strength as soon as possible. If you are not used to exercising regularly, check with your doctor before starting an exercise routine. You should also consult a trainer who can help you develop an individualized exercise plan that is best suited to your physical abilities.
There are many types of healthy exercises that do not necessarily require going to the gym. You can try out other activities like swimming, biking, basketball, or even dancing! You want to work out three to five times per week for at least thirty minutes at a time in order to get the most out of the healthy habit of regular physical activity.
3. Pursuing Activities that Bring You Joy
Don’t let addiction take away all the fun from your life! Make time for play – it’s healthy for you! It doesn’t have to be anything big like going on a 5-star cruise or skiing down a mountain. It can be as simple as taking your dog for a walk (or, let your dog take you!), spending time with friends or family at home doing board games, or cooking healthy meals.
Pursuing activities that bring joy will also help you stay positive and healthy during the difficult process of addiction recovery.
4. Enjoying a Good Laugh
Laughter is truly the best medicine. It’s healthy for your body, mind, and spirit. Make sure you stop to laugh daily. You can do this by watching funny TV shows or movies, hanging out with friends who make you laugh…you get the idea!
5. Sleeping Well
Make sure to get plenty of sleep. Eight hours per night is the recommended amount. When you sleep well, you are giving your body the chance to recharge and recuperate from all the stresses you experienced in your day.
6. Meditation
You’ll also want to take care of your mind by practicing healthy habits like meditation, yoga, or tai chi. These mindfulness techniques can help reduce stress which helps prevent relapse in addiction recovery.
7. Keeping an Organized Environment
Clutter can prove to be a stressor in your life. Keeping an organized environment, whether at home or the office, can help reduce that stress and keep healthy habits like exercise, healthy eating, and sleep in a healthy perspective.
8. Practicing Gratefulness
One of the reasons why we get depressed is not recognizing the things in our lives that are healthy, warm, and safe. Keeping an attitude of gratitude is healthy for your mind. It can help you focus on the positive things in life, instead of always feeling discontented and inadequate.
9. Giving Back to the Community
One way to give your life purpose is to give back. Volunteering for charity and community organizations, you are not only helping other people but you are also helping yourself. It can help you connect with like-minded people and form positive relationships. Having people who are positive and supportive is a very important part of your life in recovery. These people can help you get through the hard times and make you feel that you are not alone.
Develop These Healthy Habits in Recovery
Putting these nine healthy habits into practice can make it easier to stay clean and sober– even when the going gets tough! The more healthy habits you have, the better equipped you will be in maintaining sobriety.
If you or a loved one is struggling with substance abuse, help is available.
Contact Morningside Recover by Lighthouse today.
