Thanksgiving is over, and Christmas, Hanukkah, and the New Year are quickly approaching. It can be easy to get wrapped up in the hustle and bustle of it all and stress yourself out. However, putting this kind of pressure on yourself doesn’t help anyone, least of all your recovery. Stress can be a major trigger for relapse and also take a toll on your mental health and motivation.
Make the choice to keep stress in check this year, starting with these recommendations:
- Stick to a schedule
Make it a point to try to continue your normal routine while adding in special events and activities. This will help you to avoid becoming overbooked as well as having large gaps of unstructured time where boredom or temptation could set in.
- Be selective with invites
Remember, you don’t have to accept every invite you receive. It is okay to politely decline, especially if you know there will be drinking involved, you already have other plans, or you just need a break.
- Stay active but don’t forget to rest
Get at least 30 minutes of exercise in each day to combat stress and boost your mood. Mix things up by going to the gym, riding your bike, doing Zumba, or engaging in another activity you enjoy. Also, make sure you are getting plenty of sleep each night to allow your body to recover and recharge.
- Meditate
Meditating can be done virtually anywhere, any time. Whether you have 3 minutes or 30 minutes, take a break to calm your body and mind. Do this as many times a day as you need to.
- Listen to your body
Recognize when tension is starting to build, you are feeling stressed out, or you are becoming exhausted. Step back and give yourself a break. Take a night off, read a book, listen to music, or relax with someone who makes you laugh. Make your well-being a priority.
Northbound supports clients in finding balance between life in recovery, their career, their family, and other responsibilities. With a wide range of treatment programs and structured aftercare, clients can learn to thrive in recovery while reducing risk of relapse.
Are you concerned about your recovery over the holidays? Call Northbound today to learn about outpatient care and support services.
