A case could be made that kindness is often in short supply in the world around us. It is easy to believe that everyone is out for themselves and willing to do whatever it takes—even if it hurts someone else—to reach their personal goals. When you combine that tendency with the abundance of snark and sarcasm and even anger that can be part of the way we talk to and about one another, it might seem like kindness eludes most of us on most days.
When you shift your perspective, however, you can spot kindness all around you. A person holds a door for someone whose hands are full. Energized volunteers work in all kinds of ways to make their communities better. Neighbors look out for neighbors. It can be easy to be cynical about such things, but the fact is that little acts of kindness are happening all the time—and each bit of kindness is improving someone’s day.
Kindness is important for everyone to practice and to experience. And when it comes to your recovery from a substance use disorder, leaning into kindness is a wonderful way to support your efforts to remain free from drugs or alcohol.
Let’s look at three ways you can be more intentional about being kind—and support your recovery in the process.
First, Be Kind to Yourself
Often, individuals—perhaps you yourself—struggle to be kind to themselves. Our minds have a tendency to focus on our past mistakes, and for a person in recovery, there can be lots of past mistakes to choose from. It is all too easy to let those difficult memories swirl around in your mind and undermine your confidence. This ongoing unkindness to yourself can chip away at the foundations of your recovery and put you at higher risk of experiencing a relapse.
That is why it is important to develop ways to be kinder to yourself. Among the potential strategies:
- Keeping a gratitude journal to help remind yourself of the good things in your life—including your ongoing recovery.
- Using affirmations—positive statements you can repeat to yourself—to replace the negative thoughts that can be intrusive and unkind.
- Practicing mindfulness, a type of meditation that can help you stay in the present moment more frequently, so you do not dwell on the past or succumb to worry about the future.
Next, Be Kind to Others
Each of every day, we have many opportunities to choose to be kind to other people we encounter. Sometimes, kindness comes naturally, but sometimes it really does not. You might find yourself feeling impatient or annoyed with others. You might feel like someone has been unfair or unkind to you. You might just be grumpy on any given day. In any of those situations, it can be easy to snap at someone or to say something disparaging. You might even be tempted to storm off in a huff just to make sure everyone knows how annoyed you are.
This, of course, is no way to build or maintain positive relationships. In fact, these moments of unkindness can not only hurt the person who is the target; they can also hurt you as you come to regret your behavior later. And if your unkindness damages your relationships with friends or family members, you can find yourself without the strong support system that is essential to your recovery efforts.
Cultivating a spirit of kindness is a much better choice.
Finally, Consider Others Acts of Kindness
We have noted how the world can seem like a generally unkind place, and that can make it easy to believe that no single individual can make much of a difference when it comes to spreading kindness. But it is possible to help others in your community in big and small ways—and those acts of kindness can bring real pride and satisfaction.
You could, for example, make donations to organizations that help people in need. You could pursue volunteer opportunities with local social service or arts and culture organizations. You could make a point to pick up trash in your neighborhood or to advocate to your local government for more safety considerations that will benefit everyone.
These acts of kindness can provide a sense of purpose that can underpin your recovery efforts. That means you are doing good in your community and doing well for yourself as well.
You Will Find Kindness at Bel Aire Recovery Center
Some people who are struggling with drugs or alcohol are reluctant to seek out treatment because they are sure they will encounter judgment from the staff of the facility. We can assure you that it will never be the case at Bel Aire Recovery Center.
Located near Wichita, Kansas, Bel Aire Recovery Center values empathy and kindness. We also value personalized treatment plans supported by evidence, our expertise, and our years of experience. In addition to treating your substance use disorder, we can address mental health disorders that may be entangled with your difficulties with drugs or alcohol.
When you are ready to make a change, we would kindly suggest that Bel Aire Recovery Center is an excellent choice for seeking out the help you need to leave substances in your past.
