Ups and downs are a normal part of life for everyone, but once you are in early recovery, you’ll need to find ways to avoid stress and maintain a positive attitude. Where you may once have turned to drugs and alcohol to cope with the challenges the world threw at you, now you will want to protect your sobriety at all costs. Developing new techniques for maintaining a positive attitude is essential. With that in mind, here are some tips you can use to remain upbeat, no matter what obstacles you encounter.
1. Learn to Meditate
When you develop a practice of mindfulness meditation, you set aside time each day to focus on your breathing and still your thoughts. With time, meditation can help you move forward in your recovery because it teaches you to live in the moment, instead of dwelling on the past. You can try gratitude meditation if you want to feel even more positive.
2. Have Positive People to Talk To
If life’s challenges have started to feel overwhelming, have a few sober supporters you can reach out to. Don’t try to tough it out on your own; talking through your feelings can help you learn healthy problem-solving skills and handle adversity with equanimity. The relationships you form while you are in treatment and by attending recovery group meetings will empower you to succeed when times are tough.
3. Help Others
Volunteerism is another excellent way to bring more positivity into your life. Helping others and giving back to your community can give you a renewed sense of purpose and self-worth. It can be incredibly gratifying to support a cause you care about and feel more closely connected to your neighbors.
4. Focus on Your Health
Years of substance misuse can be tremendously detrimental to your physical and mental health. Now that you are in recovery, you will need to prioritize rebuilding your well-being and undoing some of the damage drugs and alcohol inflicted through exercise, nutrition and sleep hygiene.
5. Get Involved in New Hobbies
Healthy hobbies are your secret weapon for staying engaged in your recovery process and finding new ways to occupy the time you once spent drinking or using. Don’t be afraid to experiment and try new things. Take an online course in a subject you’ve always wished you knew more about, or join an intramural sports league if your interests tend more toward athletic pursuits. You could also indulge your creative side by picking up woodworking, photography or cooking.
6. Keep Things in Perspective
The road to recovery can be rocky at times, and there are always things that seem like they could be going better. Instead of fretting over what is not going as smoothly as you’d like, focus on the things that bring joy to your life. It can be helpful to keep a gratitude journal where you jot down daily notes about what makes you happy.
Your Health and Happiness Are Worth It
Nobody ever promised that recovery would be easy, but it is worthwhile. The things you will learn and the people you will meet along the way will form the foundation of your new, sober lifestyle. You owe it to yourself to stay positive, and good things will come to you. At Segue Recovery Support, we can help give you the tools you need to pursue long-term sobriety. We understand that the first year of recovery is often the most vulnerable time, and that’s why we provide three levels of sober housing for people who need to bridge the gap between an addiction treatment facility and the stresses of the real world. Contact us today to learn more about who we are and what we do.