In two recent entries, we have suggested six small changes you can make to your routines that can lead to big benefits when it comes to your recovery from a substance use disorder. You can click through to read those articles, about starting the day right and not getting overwhelmed by tasks.
As we have argued, it can be all too easy to ignore or discount small changes. After all, it may well seem that small changes can only provide small results. But the fact is that the adjustments we have suggested throughout this series can provide significant benefits—and those benefits provide a firmer foundation for your ongoing recovery efforts.
Ready for one more set of tips? Let’s jump in.
Keep Your Connections Strong
When it comes to, say, your internet service, you no doubt understand the importance of a strong connection. But you might not think about the strong connections when it comes to something like maintaining relationships with friends and family members. That may be especially true if you are an introvert. Making a concerted effort to keep at least one relationship going strong is important to your recovery. If this is a small change you need to make, you will be glad you did.
One way to approach building and strengthening connections is to set up a regular time to get together with a close friend or member of your family. If you get something on the calendar, it is much more likely that the meetup will actually happen. You could get coffee once a week, plan to take a walk together on a weekday evening, or decide to get together for a meal, a board game, or just a chat on a regular basis.
Phone calls or texting sessions can also be a good way to stay connected if you find you have trouble getting together with folks. The key is maintaining a real connection, no matter how you do it. Remember that you don’t have to talk about your recovery unless you want. Just spending time with someone you like—and who likes you—can be fun and encouraging while also supporting your recovery.
Celebrate at Least One Positive Thing Each Day
It often seems like our brains are hardwired to focus on the negative—and that can mean you spend a lot of time thinking about things that annoyed you or went wrong during your day. Making a small but intentional effort to call to mind something positive that occurred during the day can be a great way to shift your focus. That one positive thing might be that you have made it through another day with your recovery intact—something that is always worth celebrating.
But there are likely plenty of other good things—big and small, new or recurring, weighty or light, specific to that day or more general—that you might reflect on each day. Keeping a gratitude journal, in which you write down three things you are thankful for each day, can be a good practice to help you build a habit around noticing the good moments in your life. This attitude of gratitude serves you well as you continue to leave drugs or alcohol firmly in the past.
Your Evening Wind Down Routine Is Essential to Getting Good Sleep
Few things rival the importance of quality sleep when it comes to supporting your physical and mental health—and by extension, your recovery. One way to get better rest more often is to create a wind down routine you can employ each night. Your routine will be unique to you, but helpful ideas for relaxing choices include powering down your screens at least an hour before bed, writing in your journal (like the gratitude journal we mentioned above), doing some light stretching, engaging in mindfulness practice, listening to quiet music, or simply spending a few minutes reading something calming and enjoyable.
At the heart of a good wind down routine is a regular bedtime. We often think that only children need bedtimes, but adults benefit from them as well—and for the same reason. Having a regular bedtime helps you train your body and brain to know when it is time to shut down and get some rest. It is another small change that can lead to big positive results for your health and your recovery.
We Are Here for the Big Change You Need to Make
Our focus for the last three posts has been on small changes you can make to your routines to better support your recovery. But getting your recovery underway means making a big change. Bel Aire Recovery Center, located near Wichita, Kansas, is here to help you do just that.
We help individuals who are struggling with a substance use disorder via personalized, evidence-based treatment plans. Our program includes medically supervised detoxification so that you can get free of drugs or alcohol in a safe environment that is free of temptations. We follow that with a rehabilitation program that also addresses any mental health disorders that might be entangled with your substance use difficulties. And we provide ongoing support and resources after your time in treatment comes to an end through our robust program for Bel Aire alumni.
Ready to make that big change? We are ready to help.
