Making Relaxation Part of Your Recovery

Learning to relax and let go of tension is an essential recovery skill for several reasons. Most notably, stress is a key relapse trigger for many people. When you allow stress to take over your life, it may tempt you to throw away all the progress you’ve made in your sobriety.

Due to the way addiction hijacks your brain chemistry to the point where you associate substance use as your only way to alleviate stress, it’s natural to have cravings when you feel overwhelmed. If you don’t take daily steps to recharge and relax, you can jeopardize your physical, mental and emotional health. With that in mind, here are five ways to relax in your recovery.

1. Exercise

Bringing exercise into a conversation about relaxation may seem counterintuitive. After all, vigorous physical activity is the opposite of being calm. However, regular exercise is one of the best ways you can bring relaxation into your life. Exercising helps release feel-good chemicals that regulate your emotions. It also encourages deeper and more restorative sleep, which gives your body and mind the opportunity to bounce back from the challenges of the day.

2. Meditate

Meditation is one of the most valuable practices you can learn in recovery. This ancient technique teaches practitioners to be more present in the moment, lending both a focus and a renewed sense of purpose to your life. Meditation is also a way to explore your emotions without fear of anyone judging you or detracting from your experience. When you make time to practice meditation regularly, you will learn how to recognize negative or self-destructive thoughts as they arise, then let them go when they threaten your well-being.

3. Practice Progressive Relaxation

Many people tend to unconsciously hold tension in major muscle groups such as their lower back, shoulders, neck and jawline. Progressive muscle relaxation can help you not only learn where you store tension in your body, but also to release it. With this technique, you focus on relaxing one body part at a time, only moving on after you have allowed it to release completely. Progressive muscle relaxation can be helpful if you are struggling with insomnia, or if you are having a difficult day and need to make time to de-stress.

4. Breathe Deeply

Your breath is linked to many other components of your body. By slowing your breathing, you are sending your brain a clear message to calm down. Your brain, in turn, can slow your heart rate. Whenever you need to relax, even if you only have a few minutes, slow and regular breathing can help you regain control of your emotions and rein in the tension. You can even try a visualization alongside your breathing, such as telling yourself you are inhaling positivity and exhaling negativity.

5. Go Outside

Spending time in nature is an excellent way to relax. The sights, sounds and smells of the great outdoors are not only a feast for the senses, but there’s something about being in the fresh air and sunshine that helps bring a heightened sense of clarity to any day. Whether you’re planning to go on a hike to get your blood pumping, or are merely spending a few minutes reading in a patch of sunlight, you are bringing yourself some serious stress-busting benefits.

Reward Yourself for the Progress You’ve Made

Maintaining your sobriety can be a daily challenge, but you should recognize how to incorporate your recovery goals into your lifestyle. The first step begins with enrolling in a treatment center that recognizes your needs and helps you regain your health with a holistic approach.

At Complete Harmony, we put success within your reach with our range of innovative treatment modalities that allow you to reestablish healthy patterns and become a well-rounded individual. Contact our admissions team to learn more about what we offer.

Making Motivation a Way of Life

It’s January and evidence of the holidays is disappearing fast. The tree is down and the lights and Christmas wrapping paper are packed away until next year. New Year’s revelry and resolutions are already forgotten. Take time to breathe a sigh of relief. You were prepared, you followed your plan, and you made it through the parties and family get-togethers without relapsing into your addiction. 

Now you are faced with staying motivated for the long haul. Living a sober life is an ongoing process that requires constant and active participation. These six tips will help you stay motivated and fully engaged in life - throughout the year.

6 Keys to Staying Motivated in Recovery 

1. Try to achieve emotional balance. Part of addiction is a desire to change your emotions. If you’re in emotional pain, you think you can take a drink and dull it instantly. Remember that emotions can and do pass without the instant gratification offered by alcohol and drugs.

2. Strengthen your coping mechanisms. You are always encountering new situations in life, and many of them require new coping skills. Empower yourself by periodically reviewing the triggers and strategies you learned in rehab.

3. Stay positive and actively involved in life. Exercise, take up new interests, and stay in contact with sober friends. Have recovery goals and try to achieve them.

4. Practice mindfulness and gratitude. Keep a journal and meditate. These practices will help you handle stress and deal with your feelings and thoughts objectively.

5. Continue therapy and support. Take a refresher course in sober living or continue to attend meetings. Renewing your commitment to recovery will help you stay the course.

6. Look beyond yourself. Volunteer or become a sponsor to someone who is new to recovery. Share your experiences, and in doing so, strengthen yourself.

Continue these practices and you will be rewarded with growing strength, motivation, and joy as you continue your life in sobriety!

Non-Conventional Approach to Recovery 
If you have had trouble staying in recovery, or if traditional drug and alcohol treatment is not for you, Complete Harmony may be the treatment facility you have been looking for. Our holistic and alternative modalities are designed to enhance treatment and help you achieve a sober and more harmonious life. Call 866-930-4673 to begin the admissions process. A new and sober life awaits you at our beautiful CA seaside center.