7 Things You Can Do to Bring Stability to Life in Rehab
1) Extend Your Support Network
Beyond your friends and family, it’s important to build relationships with others who understand what you’re going through and can offer meaningful encouragement and guidance. Reach out to alumni from your program: many would be happy to share methods that help them maintain sobriety.
Whether they regularly offer to lend a listening ear or attend meetings with you, broadening your support system can give you people you can truly lean on.
2) Follow A Daily Routine
Maintaining a daily schedule can help you manage stress and boost your sense of accomplishment. To increase productivity, consider writing down a list of chores and tasks you need to complete, like doing laundry or going grocery shopping, every single day for a week.
When you commit to crossing items off your to-do list, you can avoid feelings of boredom and lack of fulfillment that increase risk of relapse. Once you’re accustomed to your new habits, sticking to a daily routine becomes second nature!
3) Commit to A Hobby
Being in recovery doesn’t mean you’re not allowed to have fun. Setting aside time to explore your longtime hobbies and newer interests can take up excessive idle time and give you a stress outlet.
Our alumni suggest taking lessons for an instrument you’ve always wanted to learn, tackling a home project you’ve been putting off, or finally getting to that book on your reading list. The important thing is staying with it for at least a couple weeks!
4) Practice Personal Hygiene
While it can be easy to overlook simple tasks while in recovery, it’s helpful to prioritize personal hygiene. Regularly taking a shower, combing your hair, and brushing your teeth can make a huge difference in how you feel about yourself.
Also try including self-care activities to improve your overall wellbeing: take a relaxing bubble bath or apply a face mask to treat yourself in your day-to-day routine.
5) Give Yourself Time to Sleep
Giving yourself time for quality sleep is crucial for your overall wellness, especially since those in early recovery often have insomnia. Consistently waking up and going to bed at the same time each day can reset your body’s internal clock, helping you feel refreshed and energized.
If you’re struggling to fall asleep, try drinking a cup of tea, getting your face wet to trigger a relaxing “swim response”, or reading a book before bed to soothe your mind and body.
6) Eat Balanced Meals
To live well, you need energy — and that comes from eating the right foods! Regularly having balanced meals can go a long way to strengthen your body, increase your energy, and improve your sleep.
For inspiration, try cookbooks or social media like Instagram or Pinterest, and gradually increase the number of meals you make until it becomes a natural part of your routine. Most people eventually find they enjoy cooking!
7) Dedicate Time for Exercise
Devoting time for exercise improves your physical health while reducing stress, but it’s important to understand exercise doesn’t have to be excessive, or even daily. It’s best to start with what works for you and be flexible with your fitness goals to avoid being overwhelmed.
Whether you enjoy a relaxing stroll in the park or an intense game of basketball, staying active can help you feel more vibrant and uplifted in the long run.
Starting a Routine with Roots Recovery
Life in sobriety requires support, and we make sure that you never have to go through it alone. With an extensive alumni network that values community and relationship building, you can always count on our staff and alumni alike to help you form healthy habits for a stable life in recovery.
For additional guidance or questions about recovery and our alumni program, please contact Roots Recovery today!