When you decide to stop drinking, you make huge strides in the addiction recovery process— Along the road to long-term sobriety, though, there can be many obstacles to overcome.
Holding a strong reason for abstaining from alcohol use in your mind can help you hurdle over even the highest of roadblocks— Why not smooth out the road ahead though, so you can channel more of your energy into things you enjoy?
Traversing a rocky road with sheer willpower can be exhausting— Pave an easier path to full recovery and prevent relapse by providing your mind, body, and spirit with these tools to adjust to sober living:
Body
Long-term alcohol abuse puts a lot of stress on your body! Sadly, due to withdrawals and the detoxification process, so does quitting. Once it adjusts to an alcohol-free lifestyle, though, it will be able to thrive, making you more energized and capable. To speed up the adjustment process, support your body through proper nutrition and exercise:
Improve Your Neuroplasticity Through Nutrition
Alcohol abuse can cause nutritional deficiencies and gut imbalances that linger long after you quit. A lack of nutrient absorption makes it very hard for your system to adjust to sobriety.
This struggle can be alleviated by consciously ingesting foods and supplements that can get everything back in working order as soon as possible—including your brain.
When your brain is being fueled with what it needs to adapt to change, you will be able to break the cycle of addiction much more quickly and easily.
Elevate Your Mood With Exercise
When you get your blood pumping on a regular basis during recovery, nearly every part of the adjustment process will receive a boost—detoxification, drive, mood, and sleep.
When you put your body under a healthy amount of stress, it not only becomes stronger, making you more confident, but it also releases feel-good chemicals that alleviate cravings and leave you feeling satisfied.
Exercise doesn’t have to be a drag— Find an athletic or nature-based activity you enjoy, and you will receive twice the dopamine and serotonin.
Mind
Physical withdrawals are only half the battle— Psychological attachments and the return of previously-numbed problems can make it very difficult to stay sober. The mind is like a living computer! Processing stifled emotions and programming it for success is like removing a virus and updating it to the latest version:
Take Advantage of Non-Profit Alcohol Counseling
Many of those who are struggling with addiction don’t have access to the resources necessary to receive professional support.
Luckily, there is a non-profit organization out there that specifically focuses its efforts on providing these people with opportunities to receive alcohol counseling.
Overcoming alcohol addiction is already hard enough— If it is putting a strain on your finances, take advantage of this wonderful program to fund your treatments and therapy.
Track & Process Your Emotions Through Journaling
During turbulent times, it can be hard to organize and digest your thoughts and emotions—especially if traumas that contributed to your addiction are resurfacing.
Journaling is a great way to not only enhance your emotional literacy and deal with long-held negative beliefs but also take inventory of everything you are grateful for.
All it takes to support your mind on the road to recovery is a pen and paper— Journal your inner experiences and what you are grateful for every day, and you will be well on your way to a thriving sober state.
Spirit
Even if you aren’t religious or spiritual, feeling close to the source of life can provide a sense of peace and purpose—two crucial aspects of overcoming an addiction. Communing through spiritual practices, getting in touch with nature, conversing with other conscious beings, or checking in with your breath can lift your spirits on the road to recovery:
Connect With a Sober Community
Cultivating connections with others that share your goal can strengthen your resolve and make a life of sobriety feel a lot more fulfilling.
Seeking out a group with similar hobbies or religious beliefs can create a collective sense of purpose and provide a solid foundation on which to build your new life.
Human connection is becoming a commodity in today’s world— Luckily, it’s free. Find a community near you and watch your path to freedom from addiction unfold.
Find Your Balance Through Meditation
Meditation has been scientifically proven to relax the mind and body— Make use of this whenever you are feeling on edge, and it will help you to attain balance in virtually every aspect of your life.
Mindfulness comes in many forms, so it is easy to find one that fits you— Even the simple act of bringing your attention back to your breath offers a slew of benefits.
No matter how you meditate, it will bring you back to the present moment so you can move towards your milestones with intention.