Whether you get your information from Schoolhouse Rock or from Greek philosophy, an investigation of the number three will quickly lead you to the suggestion that there is something special or significant about the third digit.
We can neither deny nor confirm this hypothesis. But what we can confirm is that we have often used groups of three when offering up recovery advice. Let’s look back on some of our sets of three and the ways in which they can support your ongoing recovery.
An Engaging Hobby is a Great Way to Support Sobriety
In a blog titled “Three Hobby Suggestions to Support Sobriety,” we noted that setting aside regular time to do something you truly enjoy is a wonderful way to rest, relax, and recharge (there’s another set of three!). Your hobby gives you the opportunity to put all the stress of daily life down for a little while, and that can be so helpful when you are working daily—as a person with a job and in an effort to maintain your sobriety. Our suggestions included getting out into your garden, making some music, or putting together a puzzle. But, of course, the options for hobbies are hardly limited to three. Finding the thing you really enjoy is the key to getting the recovery benefits.
Taking Care of Your Mental and Physical Health Supports Sobriety
In an entry titled “Three ‘Be’s for Recovery,” we focused on ways to improve your mental and physical well-being. Good mental and physical health go hand in hand, and together they provide a firmer foundation for your recovery. The three strategies we highlighted included being present by practicing mindfulness, being active to improve your physical health, and being rested because getting enough quality sleep is good for your body and your mind. In each of these cases, small changes to your daily routine can add up to big benefits that go a long way toward helping you maintain your sobriety over time.
Sometimes Getting Together in a Group can be Great for Recovery
In the blog entry titled “Three Groups that Can Be Great Supporters of Your Sobriety,” we considered how the right kinds of togetherness can nudge your recovery journey in the right direction. We discussed the value of group therapy (which includes building a community of mutual support under the guidance of a trained counselor), 12-Step and other recovery groups (which also foster a sense of community and allow participants to continue to support one another whether things are rocky or smooth in your personal journey), and your supportive family and friends (who will be devoted to helping you stay sober in ways both big and small).
Bringing Order to Chaos Makes a Difference During Recovery
In a post titled “Three Recovery Tips: Make a Budget, Tidy a Mess, Start a Journal,” we offered three suggestions for bringing more order to your daily life and to your thoughts and emotions. Making—and sticking to—a budget can really reduce your stress around finances by allowing you to know where things stand at all times. Straightening up—even just a little mess—can provide an easy win that reduces stress. It can also have a bigger, more lasting impact as you reduce the amount of panicked time you spend looking for something you have lost and need immediately. And starting a journal is a wonderful way to make your thoughts and emotions visible to yourself so that you are better able to process them over time.
Set Stumbling Blocks Aside to Clear Your Recovery Path
In a post we called “Three Roadblocks to Recovery: Stubbornness, Fear, and Shame,” we took a look at the way various emotions can upend your sobriety if you allow them to linger or to cause you to make more poor choices. For example, stubbornness might keep you out of treatment because you have convinced yourself you should be able to handle your drug or alcohol problem alone. You might be afraid to seek out treatment because you—like many people—have a fear of the unknown or because you are afraid treatment will not work for you. Or you might be ashamed to admit you have a problem and concerned that others will lose respect for you if you go into treatment for a substance use disorder. Make no mistake: It is absolutely essential that you steer your way around these roadblocks to get the help you need to reclaim your sobriety and your life.
We’re the One to Turn to if You Need Help Getting Sober
Bel Aire Recovery Center—located near Wichita, Kansas—is in the business of facilitating life-changing transformations. And we do it with three essential programs: medically supervised detoxification, a rehabilitation program that also includes treatment for co-occurring mental health disorders, and a continuum of care that ensures you can start your recovery journey with confidence. When you are ready to turn your life around, we are ready to help you make it happen.
