What Does it Mean to Practice Self-Care in Recovery?

What Does it Mean to Practice Self-Care in Recovery?

Sobriety is in the early realm of the many stages of recovering. Transition from addiction to recovery is remarked with the practice of self-care which opens an avenue for leading an entirely new life. 

Self-care assists one in healing themselves from the psychological and physiological adversities that drug/alcohol abuse result into. For those who have been struggling in actively participating in their recovery treatment for substance disorders, it is imperative to develop a habit of self-care which is necessary for restoring their health. 

What is Self-Care?

Prioritizing your physical, psychological, and emotional health over any other desires and needs is a feature of self-care which focuses on recovery. Self-awareness involves the recognition of oneโ€™s own requirements and wants along with the identification of tools which shall assist in the achievement of such goals. 

Thus, self-care involves a planned, systematic, and feasible set of activities which a person undertakes habitually in an effort to stay healthy. 

Emotional and Spiritual Self-Care

Self-Reliance – Starting the day with assurances and identifying with self is key in strengthening oneโ€™s relationship with themselves. Self-reliance encourages one to transform into a reformed version of themselves. 

Relaxation – Releasing your anxiety is a prominent safeguard from relapses caused by an incapacity to manage stress. Undertaking heavy breathing, a day out at the spa, nature walks, or self-reflection through meditation are some effective methods for relaxation. At the core of these exercises is the need for a person to reserve some time for introspection. 

Balance – Persons in recovery generally develop a very narrow perspective of their life and attach to limited areas – be it their family, job, or even the process of recovery – for satisfaction. This diverts a personโ€™s attention from all other prevalent areas including mental health, which they find to be distinct from their goals. 

However, putting too much attention on one part of our life causes imbalance which may lead to us slipping throughout all relevant areas, including those we care about. 

Physical Self Care

Maintaining a Healthy Died – Our emotions are impacted by our dietary habits. Therefore, improving our diet is key in developing good habits for a mental feast.

Physical Activity – Mild physical activity releases endorphins that assist in the reduction of stress. Physical activity is not always synonymous with exercising and can include daily actions including a simple walk or bicycling. 

For more information, get in touch with our experts at Skyward Treatment!

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