What characterizes an addiction? Quite simply this: you no longer feel that you have the choice to stop. —Eckhart Tolle, The Power of Now
Life is stressful. As a recovering addict, your brain is wired to turn to drugs or alcohol when stress levels increase. Though you will always be at risk for relapse, developing some new habits now will reduce your risk or relapse in the future. Here are some suggestions to prepare for those times when you might give in to temptations.
Meditation: The time to learn to meditate is not in the middle of a crisis. Take classes, read a lesson book, listen to recordings, access free online instruction, or have a friend show you how, during the quiet times. It’s proven to be effective for maintaining calm during the storms.
Yoga: Yoga is used on a regular basis to assist in addiction recovery. Once you are clean and sober, the same techniques can help you self-reflect, relax and handle whatever life throws your way.
Related: How Yoga and Meditation Can Help Heal the Addiction
Much like meditation, learning yoga before a crisis occurs allows you to put it to immediate and experienced use when it is needed.
Renew Your Health: Be sure to get a physical and take care with your eating habits. Fresh, non-processed foods will help you to rebuild your body after it was abused with drugs or alcohol. A fit and healthy body handles stress much better than an out of shape or unhealthy body does.
Work out: Even if you are already working out on a regular basis, stepping up the pace during difficult periods in your life will help relieve your worries. During tough times, work out a few extra times per week to help maintain your cool.
Final thoughts: If these techniques fail and you still feel at a high risk for relapse, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. See a therapist for a few weeks; talk to a sponsor if you have one; or get involved in a support group immediately.
Check out: Can Art Be Medicine?
Life is stressful. As a recovering addict, your brain is wired to turn to drugs or alcohol when stress levels increase. Though you will always be at risk for relapse, developing some new habits now will reduce your risk or relapse in the future. Here are some suggestions to prepare for those times when you might give in to temptations.
Meditation: The time to learn to meditate is not in the middle of a crisis. Take classes, read a lesson book, listen to recordings, access free online instruction, or have a friend show you how, during the quiet times. It’s proven to be effective for maintaining calm during the storms.
Yoga: Yoga is used on a regular basis to assist in addiction recovery. Once you are clean and sober, the same techniques can help you self-reflect, relax and handle whatever life throws your way.
Related: How Yoga and Meditation Can Help Heal the Addiction
Much like meditation, learning yoga before a crisis occurs allows you to put it to immediate and experienced use when it is needed.
Renew Your Health: Be sure to get a physical and take care with your eating habits. Fresh, non-processed foods will help you to rebuild your body after it was abused with drugs or alcohol. A fit and healthy body handles stress much better than an out of shape or unhealthy body does.
Work out: Even if you are already working out on a regular basis, stepping up the pace during difficult periods in your life will help relieve your worries. During tough times, work out a few extra times per week to help maintain your cool.
Final thoughts: If these techniques fail and you still feel at a high risk for relapse, don’t hesitate to reach out for help. See a therapist for a few weeks; talk to a sponsor if you have one; or get involved in a support group immediately.
Check out: Can Art Be Medicine?
