As you embark on being newly sober, you know how vital it is to set realistic goals. And with the start of the new year upon us, now is a wise time to set resolutions to help you remain on the road to recovery.
What Realistic Resolutions Should I Set?
Below are some considerations when planning your resolutions:
Take Things as They Come Daily
Life can present overwhelming challenges, making you susceptible to revert to old behaviors, such as drinking or using drugs. One way to make things less stressful is to focus on setting small, realistic goals you can strive for daily to retain your sobriety. You should also practice the coping techniques your therapist recommended–if applicable. That way, when a trigger presents itself, you know how to tackle the challenge. Overall, setting small goals empowers you to control and adjust your everyday behaviors, which charts a course for remaining sober.
Avoid Old Behaviors That Could Challenge Your Sobriety
An important part of remaining sober is to continue to set behaviors that help you avoid old routines. In some cases, it might mean disassociating with people from that life, especially if they do not understand or are not supportive of your journey. You should reflect on the routine that prompted your old behaviors and make adjustments as needed. It might mean avoiding work parties, taking different ways home, or learning new activities.
Develop Self-Care Habits
Being new to sobriety means you’ll have great days and challenging ones. It is why you need to prepare for the ones testing you. One effective way to do this is to develop self-care habits that can help you feel better about yourself, help you achieve positive self-esteem, and manage stress better. You can do this by:
- Setting aside some time each day to focus on something you enjoy doing. Read a book, take a crafting class or something else you like. The emphasis is on distancing yourself from the noise of every day and have some quiet time to refocus and recharge.
- On this front, you could try meditation or yoga. Both can help you learn to manage stress and help you relax.
- Exercising can also help to reduce stress, lower blood pressure, and, most importantly, it can boost your mood. If you do not want to join a gym, consider a hiking group, enrolling in a dance class, or taking a brisk walk in your neighborhood while listening to music or your favorite podcast.
- Getting the right amount of sleep can help you feel more alert and ready to tackle the challenges of living every day with sobriety.
Maintain a Supportive Network
As you continue your sobriety, you know the people around you play a huge role. It is why it’s imperative to continue to build a healthy network of supportive loved ones, friends, support groups, and therapists (if applicable.) Doing this gives you people to turn to when the temptation becomes overwhelming.
Strike a Healthy Balance
As you work on the road to recovery, you don’t want any other compulsive behaviors to arise. To demonstrate, instead of drinking, you use exercise to fill that void. Setting small goals can help you gain structure in your life while also giving you the balance you need to heal from the past and move forward.
Do Not Feel Afraid to Seek Help
Sometimes, you might need professional help to get you through a difficult time. If the temptations of the past become too overwhelming, or you had a setback, know we are here to assist you. We offer personalized solutions that address the root causes. And we provide supportive care to help you back on your road to recovery. Contact us today to talk.
