Take a moment to think about your favorite place.
It is possible that the moment you called your “happy place” to mind, you felt a little surge of well-being. Maybe your shoulders relaxed a bit. Maybe you found yourself smiling. Maybe you closed your eyes so you could bring the space more fully to mind.
Now think of a place you really don’t care for at all.
It is probably no surprise that bringing an unpleasant location to mind brought more tension into your body, turned your smile into a frown, and caused you to open your eyes so you don’t have to linger on the details of this place you don’t like.
Simple exercise with predictable results, right? But we would make the case that this little thought experiment teaches us something important. The places in which we find ourselves have an impact on our mood. That lesson is particularly important for a person in recovery from a substance use disorder. The more time you can spend in environments that boost your mood, the more you provide support for your mental health and your ongoing sobriety.
In this blog post, we are going to consider several environments in which you may find yourself and suggest ways in which those places can firm up the foundation of your recovery.
Avoid Triggering Environments—And Triggering People
In recovery—and perhaps especially in the early days of the recovery journey—it is a good idea to steer clear of the places you associate with your drug or alcohol use. Bars you used to frequent, locations where you used to “party,” and the like are not positive environments for you. Spending time in those sorts of places can trigger cravings, and that is something you want to minimize as much as possible.
Similarly, it is a good idea to steer clear of the people whom you associate with your substance use—especially if they themselves are still using drugs or alcohol. You will also want to limit your exposure to people who tear you down rather than building you up. The best environment for you is one in which you surround yourself with people who support you and your sobriety.
Straightening Up Has an Upside for Your Sobriety
There is a good chance that there is a space—or perhaps a number of spaces—in your home or your workplace that are more cluttered than you might prefer. It is easy to let that happen given how packed our schedules tend to be.
But letting the clutter pile up adds stress to your daily life. For example, the moments you spend frantically searching for your car keys increase your stress levels just as your day is getting underway. And that is just one small example among many when it comes to the ways in which a messy space adds tension to your daily experience.
It also turns out that an uncluttered bedroom supports more restful sleep. It might seem like clutter in your sleeping space is no big deal since you sleep with your eyes closed. But having a clean, comfortable, cool, and dark place to sleep increases the quality of your rest. That supports your physical health, your mental health, and your ongoing sobriety. `
You Might Find a ‘Third Space’ a Great Escape
“Third space” is a name for a location that is neither your workplace nor your home. A good third space is simply a comfortable and enjoyable place to hang out. It might offer opportunities to socialize, it might be a spot to enjoy some alone time, or it might provide both options. Examples might include a local coffee or sandwich shop or the public library or even a coworking space that gets you out of the office for a bit.
These third space environments provide an opportunity to rest and recharge—or simply to get a change of scene that can boost your mood. Identifying and enjoying a third space can provide support for your sobriety.
Speaking of Lovely Environments…
One of the many things we pride ourselves on at Bel Aire Recovery Center is the beauty of our spaces—both inside and out. Our facility is located in the natural landscape of the lovely Kansas prairie, and its interiors and exteriors have been designed with comfort, relaxation, and healing in mind. You can see for yourself with this photo tour.
We Can Help You Reclaim Your Sobriety
At Bel Aire Recovery Center—located near Wichita, Kansas—we help individuals overcome a substance use disorder with individualized treatment plans grounded in evidence-based practices. Our inpatient program includes medically supervised detoxification and a rehabilitation program built around group and individual therapy. Bel Aire also offers outpatient and virtual treatment programs for those who need more flexibility. In every case, we provide ongoing support and resources to help you confidently get your recovery journey underway. If drugs and alcohol are part of your current environment, it is time to make a change. Come to Bel Aire Recovery Center to start your life-changing transformation.
