Addiction changes the brain, but it also changes the lifestyle of those who suffer from it. Struggling with addiction turns people’s lives upside down. The presence of an addiction reorients peoples’ habits and damages the healthy routines they had previously. Therapy and support group attendance are two vital components of the recovery process. In addition, healthy habits during addiction recovery can make an incredible difference in whether or not someone is able to maintain sobriety and avoid relapse. Find out what all goes into addiction aftercare planning when you call 844.544.0502.
Healthy Habits During Addiction Recovery
Addiction is itself a habit. It has likely created a whole host of related, negative habits in a person’s life. Recovery aims to transform someone’s lifestyle. Thus, it is about much more than simply ceasing to use a drug. Maintain these five healthy habits to beat addiction.
Attend Support Group Meetings
For many people, support groups are a common part of their addiction treatment plan. But their true benefit may not be realized until after formal treatment ends and the aftercare plan kicks in. Leaving treatment behind is not an excuse to stop attending a support group. Continuing to attend on at least a weekly basis is one of the most important healthy habits to prevent relapse. People need continued support and relationships with other people pursuing sobriety and doing their best to rebuild their lives after addiction.
Maintain a Regular Sleep Schedule
Sleep is a critical component of a healthy lifestyle. People ignore the importance of getting proper sleep each night at their peril. Rarely is someone their best self when sleep-deprived. Failing to keep a regular sleep schedule is an invitation to temptation and pressure. In fact, boredom and fatigue are two of the biggest relapse triggers for people after treatment. Don’t let a lack of sleep become a stumbling block in your recovery journey, as a lack of sleep can potentially lead to relapse.
Continue Therapy
Therapy doesn’t need to end when you walk out of inpatient or outpatient treatment. In some ways, structured rehab is just the first leg of the journey. There’s nothing wrong with going to therapy sessions long after you complete rehab at an addiction treatment center.
Exercise Regularly
A healthy body is more able to resist drug cravings and avoid relapse. Getting regular exercise is so important to maintaining a healthy body and mind. Exercise boosts mental and physical health and can safeguard against relapse. Prioritize creating and sticking to an exercise regimen during recovery. Many people find it is easiest to keep up with exercising when they have a buddy they can rely on and trust. Make plans with a friend to visit the gym on certain days or partner with someone who can hold you accountable for following through on your exercise plans.
Eat a Healthy Diet
Exercise should be paired with eating healthy. Most people know what they should eat, but eating a healthy diet is sometimes another thing. This doesn’t mean you have to deprive yourself of food you love or never eat another donut in your life. But what you eat has a profound impact on your overall well-being. Take some of the following steps to improve your diet:
- Cut back on sugar and fats.
- Eat lots of fresh fruits and vegetables.
- Avoid fast food.
- Place grocery pick-up orders if shopping in person involves too many temptations.
- Sign up for a meal plan if you do not like to cook for yourself.
Don’t try to overhaul your perspective on food all at once. Take small, meaningful steps toward eating healthier.
Get Support at Midwest Center at Youngstown
Relapse does not have to be inevitable. Midwest Center at Youngstown has years of experience in counseling people in recovery about using healthy habits to prevent relapse. The five healthy habits to pick up during addiction recovery can support your long-term recovery. Your life up until now may not involve any of those. Doing all five of those at once may be overwhelming. Nonetheless, transforming your life is not impossible. Let Midwest Center at Youngstown show you what steps to take. Before you know it, you won’t even recognize the old you. Find out more about how to employ healthy habits to prevent relapse when you call 844.544.0502.