New Healthy Habits Can Help You Maintain Your Sobriety

Those in recovery from substance abuse face temptations every day, making sobriety a daily achievement. Initial withdrawal does not mean the battle is over. Old habits are hard to break and trying new things can be uncomfortable. However, the positive changes you make can help you maintain your sobriety.

Healthy Habits to Help Maintain Your Sobriety

Recovery means that you have an opportunity to improve the quality of your life, and there are several things you can do to help yourself stay sober.

• Avoid old routines, places, and people that might tempt you to fall off the wagon. 
• Identify and understand your personal triggers.
• Eat a healthy diet, including drinking enough water.
• Get enough sleep on a regular schedule.
• Exercise daily, even if it is just walking to the mailbox.
• Spend time outdoors.
• Be available for self-care.
• Include positive people, activities, and habits in your new daily routine.

Change Your Home for a Healthier Environment

Your home should be a place where you can relax and enjoy your free time, but several things can prevent you from being able to do that. Creating a less stressful, positive home environment can help keep you from relapsing.

You do not have to redecorate or remodel your living space. Making a few simple changes can have a positive effect. Studies show that simple activities like doing household chores can help prevent heart disease and decrease your stress levels.

Some easy-to-accomplish changes are:

• Keep your house clean and free of clutter – too many unnecessary items can make it difficult to think creatively, cause stress, and decrease your overall productivity.
• Set yourself a few daily tasks to complete – keeping your kitchen tidy, making your bed, and cooking a healthy dinner helps you feel a sense of accomplishment while working toward a cleaner home and a healthier body.
• Add a few green plants to your home – studies have shown that plants can reduce stress, humidify rooms, boost productivity, and purify the air.
• Use relaxing colors in your home furnishings and decor – colors can make people respond in specific ways, so select those with a calming effect rather than negative connotations.
• Rearrange furniture – some layouts flow better than others, and a change in your furniture placement can make it seem like you have a new house.
• Create a space for relaxation – whether it is an outside living space or the corner of your bedroom, designating a place to relax can give you a sense of peace when you inhabit it.
• Let natural light into your home – natural light provides several wellness benefits and saves money. 

While these ideas may sound small and insignificant, they can profoundly affect your well-being. Do not add stress by trying to accomplish everything at once; instead, pace yourself.

Seek Mental Health Support 

Many people deal with anxiety and depression daily. There is no shame in seeking help if you need it. You can find assistance by joining local or online support groups like those offered by Recovery Program Solutions of Virginia (RPSV) and seeking mental health therapy.

Many people find virtual therapy a better fit than going to an office. Online treatment takes less time and is more convenient, but you still get the same privacy. It has other benefits:

• Virtual visits may cost less.
• No travel time or expense.
• Requires less commitment 
• A wider pool of licensed professional therapists.

When considering a virtual counselor, know that some therapists offer a free initial consultation to help you find one you are comfortable with.

Simple Changes Can Help You Stay Sober

Adjusting your lifestyle, home, and habits can reduce stress and make maintaining sobriety easier. If you need mental health support, find the best options for you.

By Julia M.