One of the hardest things for a person with addiction to do is ask for help. In most cases, a person will have to reach rock bottom before they admit they have a problem that they can’t fix on their own. When faced with the perils of drug addiction, the best thing you can do is seek out help from a facility like Changing Tides. With Changing Tides long-term treatment options, you can get sober once and for all.
Once you have regained your sobriety, you need to work on avoiding temptation. Rather than falling back into the same bad habits that caused you to use drugs or alcohol in the first place, you have to focus on changing your life completely. Adopting the principles of self-care can help you manage the stress that comes with living as a recovering addict in modern society.
Here are some great self-care tips designed to help to recover people with addiction stay on the straight and narrow.
Continue in therapy
There are millions of Americans who are currently struggling with a dependence on drugs and alcohol. The people who beat their addiction and stay sober often need help from mental health professionals in the months and years following rehab. Many people fail to realize just how big of an impact underlying mental health issues can have on addiction. Failing to get to the bottom of these issues can lead to a relapse.
This is why finding a counsellor that specialises in treating people with addiction is important. With their help, you can work through your past trauma and make a plan for staying sober. Having a therapist is also a great way to talk about the problems you are facing in your new daily life.
It’s important to talk through these challenges with a professional and work through the stress that comes with living a sober life after addiction. This is why you need to view regular therapy sessions as a priority.
Daily exercise is helpful
Recently sober individuals tend to struggle with anxiety and depression. These bad feelings can drive a person to give in to their desire to use drugs or alcohol again. If you want to reduce depression and anxiety, exercising is a great option. With daily exercise, your body will release a number of hormones that can make you feel better.
Most experts recommend getting at least 30 minutes of intense interval training every day for full benefits. Not only will exercising make you feel better mentally, it can also help you get your body in good shape. If you have used drugs or alcohol for years, it could be that you have not exercised in a while. Rather than allowing years of abuse to rob you of a long life, now is the time to get to the gym. Once you get a taste of the benefits of working out, you will look forward to your daily exercise routine.
Get the right amount of sleep
Sleep problems are something that affects a large portion of the population. If you are not getting enough sleep, it is only a matter of time before this problem catches up with you. One of the best ways to improve your sleep is to get into a good nighttime routine.
Start by getting into bed about an hour before you intend on falling asleep. Keep the room dark and cool, and invest in a comfortable bed, sheets and pillows. Avoid using electronic devices or watching TV at this time, as this can stimulate your brain. As time goes by, your nighttime routine will become second nature. Getting the right amount of sleep can help you wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on your day.
Implementing self-care tips during recovery is a great way to make your life after addiction more enjoyable and successful.
Dennis Relojo-Howell is the managing director of Psychreg.
