Recovery is a journey, not a destination. By now, you’ve probably learned about tools to help you stay focused and motivated. Some days are easier than others in the journey. Everyone has their struggles, hopes, and dreams. What are some good ways, however, to make sure you stay on the path to success?

Stay Focused: Unplug a Little

We spend a lot of time doing countless small things that we don’t even think about, especially when it comes to media consumption.

How often do you check the news, scroll through Instagram, or read other people’s tweets? It’s the culture we live in. But the same culture that we live in is the culture that stresses us out. Much of the news is “bad news,” and many things that go viral on Twitter or Facebook are negative. And studies have shown that Instagram tends to make us feel inadequate, even though the photos we see aren’t even usually an accurate representation of life.

Try to limit your screen time and focus more on real-time and the people you talk to on the phone and care about at meetings. Focus on the people that help you with your recovery and less on things you can’t control.

Build Strong New Habits

Taking care of yourself is important, and it’s one of the things you’ll have to maintain in recovery. By building healthy habits, you’ll be able to create more success in life. These habits can help you stay focused and motivated.

What do I mean by strong habits? Simple things!

• Build-in self-care: Get up a half-hour earlier than you usually do so you can have some time to yourself in the morning. Use that time for self-care, such as meditating or exercising. You can even just use that time to doodle in your journal and enjoy your team or coffee. Starting your day with this focus helps you remember you’re on a path to recovery.
• Try to keep a schedule that centers your recovery. Sure, go to work in the morning, but start your day with meditations that help you focus on yourself. Take lunchtime to communicate with others in your support network or read your Big Book.
• Stick with your 12-step meetings no matter what. Having them online makes your excuses less viable. You can even use Zoom on your phone if you’re not at home.
• Take care of your health. In a pandemic, this means to wear a mask and practice social distancing. Take a COVID test if you travel or think you have been exposed. And if you have underlying health issues, continue to stay in close contact with your doctor.
• Practice being kind to others and gentle with yourself as well. Life isn’t always a bunch of roses or a giant ball of sunshine! Practice being kind by doing things for others – like doing the dishes, giving somebody a ride, buying milk without expecting anything back. Practice being kind to yourself by getting enough rest, accepting that you have flaws, and working hard on your recovery program.

Consider Sober Living

Sober living helps a lot of men and women stay focused on their new life in recovery. Have you considered sober living? Get in touch. We can answer any questions you may have at 760-216-2077.

Recovery is a lifestyle you must adhere to year-round. Different times of year bring different experiences, and you must get through them to stay sober! The winter months may feel difficult or emotional for the first few years you're sober. Today, with the complication of the coronavirus pandemic, life can sometimes feel like a struggle.

Why Is Winter Hard For People in Recovery

Few people feel like winter is their favorite season. If you're like many people, you may find yourself in the doldrums or suffering from seasonal affective disorder, a form of depression brought on by the changing seasons. With less sunlight and colder weather, humans naturally turn into homebodies. In recovery, however, isolation can quickly turn into loneliness or depression.

There are also other reasons that people feel like winter is hard in recovery. Many people also associate the winter months with Thanksgiving, Christmas, Hanukkah, and New Years' holidays. Of course, holidays can be challenging times for people in recovery. Sometimes you'll feel quite emotional about the past or even feel triggered by it.

For many reasons, winter can be a challenging time for people in recovery. This winter may even seem a little more difficult due to the ongoing emotional and economic strains caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Taking care of yourself and focusing on your recovery is an integral part of the game plan. Here are some ideas to help you lift your spirit every day.

Spirit-Lifting Activities For Winter

If you live in a warm climate, you won't have to deal with the cold. Yet there are still some effects that you have to cope with during the winter months. Holidays, shorter days in general, and less activity are all things that seasons have in common coast-to-coast.

1. Get enough Vitamin D. Most people aren't getting enough in the winter months because it mostly comes from the sun. Try to do something outdoors for at least fifteen minutes a day.
2. Get exercise, even if it's incremental. For example, take the stairs more often. Do a lap around the block later on. Walk to the bodega.
3. Explore vegetables and fruits. Smoothies have a plethora of ingredients to help boost your body and mind. Try a recipe or two to add more nutrition to your day.
4. Spend five minutes being mindful each morning before anything else.
5. Do something kind for somebody else. Whether this means checking up on a loved one or cleaning up the kitchen in your group house, just try it. Helping other people feels good.
6. Find ways to be more creative in life. Create your own winter-themed masks or make up your own dinner recipes.
7. Find ways to reach out to others online. Create an online group focused on a hobby you enjoy.
8. Write cards to older people or children who are hospitalized. Focus on spreading happiness to the person you're writing to.
9. Help out a housemate with something they're stressed about. Getting outside of yourself is crucial, and you might have a skill you can share, such as helping with a resume or building a website.
10. Take 30 minutes doing something you genuinely enjoy. Take a long bath, read Stephen King, or watch tutorials for surfing. As long as it's something you like, and it hurts no one, enjoy yourself.

Consider Sober Living

Have you thought about living in a sober home? Living among other people in recovery can help you have a sense of stability. Learn more about what options are available and how we can help by calling us at 760-216-2077.