For many people, the early days of addiction recovery can feel quite disorienting. Substance use has likely been at the center of their lives for so long that they find themselves at a loss about how to fill their time. They might feel that many of their routines are connected to substance use, so on top of dealing with withdrawal symptoms, they now have to develop a whole new range of habits. There’s no doubt that this process can be incredibly challenging. However, it’s also a time of massive growth and an excellent opportunity to lay down the foundations of a deeply fulfilling life. Focus on developing these healthy habits that will help you flourish in the future:
Eat Healthy and Keep Yourself Hydrated
Quitting substance use is the absolute best step you can take to improve your health. Unfortunately, it’s not enough — you also need a healthy and balanced diet to nourish your body and give you energy. If you’ve been dealing with addiction for a while, you might be deficient in some vitamins, so a good diet will help you bring your body back to health. Don’t get fixated on perfecting your meals or eating exactly the right things; make sure you cover all major food groups and eat a varied diet.
Get Comfortable with Your Emotions
A lot of people use substances to numb themselves so that they can avoid dealing with their uncomfortable feelings. Once they’re in recovery, they may find themselves overwhelmed with all the emotions they’ve been suppressing and have no idea how to manage them effectively. That’s a great time to develop good coping skills: reach out to friends and loved ones, journal how you feel, try mindfulness meditation, or pick up an artistic hobby that allows you to express yourself. It might be hard at the start but don’t get discouraged — improving your emotional intelligence will serve you for life.
Get Active!
There’s no overstating the benefits of regular physical activity in your life. Research shows that exercise helps you strengthen your bones and muscles, increase your brain power, improve sleep, decrease your risk of a host of illnesses, and increase your life expectancy. It’s beneficial during recovery as it can relieve stress and naturally boost your mood, thus making it easier to stick to a healthy lifestyle. On top of that, exercise can decrease your cravings and be a great tool during the early days of recovery while you’re still getting used to life without substance use. Even one or two exercise sessions per week can dramatically affect your life — so get moving!
Take Control of Your Life with Hickory Treatment Centers
Dealing with the aftermath of substance use is incredibly challenging — but you don’t have to do it alone. Here at Hickory Treatment Centers, we offer a safe and comfortable environment that makes recovery as easy as possible. We tailor our service to everyone’s individual needs: we offer residential and outpatient services, individual and group therapy, and hands-on assistance. Please don’t hesitate to get in touch, and we’ll be more than happy to discuss your unique needs and how we can meet them.
