by Naomi Casement on February 8, 2016
Lifestyle change: Living a life free of substances doesn’t have to mean being a hermit in your house for the rest of your life. Addiction recovery means making a lifestyle change, but you can find ways to move away from addiction and love your life.
Clean and Organize Your Living Space
One place to start making a lifestyle change is your home. Do a deep clean of your house or apartment from top to bottom. Some things to consider include:
Disposing of any leftover alcohol or drugs so that they do not become a temptation to use again.
Get rid of any paraphernalia, including things that promote drug or alcohol use such as movies, posters, magazines, etc.
Open up windows to allow lots of natural light inside.
Include plants inside your home. They can have a calming effect.
Go through old clothing and other items and donate unwanted things to charity.
If your present living situation causes too many triggers for you, such as old memories of previous use, consider moving to a new place if possible. A new home can help symbolize a new life free of substance abuse.
Maintain Your Health
Another important lifestyle change is to keep on top of your physical health. Eat nutritious foods, get checkups from your doctor, and exercise. Even doing moderate exercise such as walking ten to twenty minutes a day can have positive health benefits. Don’t forget your mental health too. See a therapist who specializes in addiction treatment.
Connect With Other People
We are social creatures and need to be with other people. Having a support system of friends, family, and others in recovery is one of the most effective ways to stay sober. Some ways to make these connections are:
Connect with your local Alcoholics Anonymous or Narcotics Anonymous by attending meetings and having a relationship with a sponsor.
Participate in activities that you liked to do before using drugs or alcohol.
Use Meetup.com as a tool to meet new people and do new things. The website has groups that specialize in doing fun activities for those who want to be sober.
If faith is something important in your life, join groups that share your values.
Volunteering is a great way to both meet people and give back in a meaningful way to your community.
Spend time with your children.
Get Outside to Change Your Lifestyle
When you were struggling with substance use did you stay inside all day watching TV? Now that you are making lifestyle changes for the better, get off the couch and get outdoors. Being in nature can have a calming effect, and the physical exercise will be good for you too. It’s also a way to spend quality time with other people. One group, Phoenix Multisport, an organization based in Boulder, Colorado is all about helping people who are in recovery get outside and live a sober life.
Exercise Your Mind
Besides keeping your body healthy, it is important to keep your mind sharp as well. Some ideas include:
Reading books, newspapers, and magazines.
Attending lectures and classes. Local community colleges often have continuing education courses you can take at low cost.
Learn a new skill, either as a hobby or to help improve your career.
Keep a journal about your life in recovery.
Play games, puzzles, even the daily crossword in the local paper.
Listen to your favorite music. Even better, learn how to play an instrument!
Making some basic lifestyle changes that are positive can help you not only lead a sober life, but also a more fulfilling life as well.
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