Balance in Recovery

Discovering and incorporating balance in life after addiction will be a huge change. What does “balance” entail?, you ask? Well, it incorporates several qualities – like maintaining control, remaining composed, becoming someone who makes healthy choices and spends time with loved ones and manages their work and social balances. These tools will help create balance in recovery. These qualities will not come overnight, but with dedication and time, they will change your life.

Balance in Recovery

Daily events pull people in different directions – from one extreme to another. There are so, so many aspects of daily life, to focus on. A few of these events are “normal” and can be tamed with ease. Other events happen fast and can be potentially life-changing. However, we have to deal with what comes our way – whether we like it or not. Drugs and alcohol will not save us from our problems. They are a temporary solution to distract us. To find balance, here are some tips:

Be Aware:

Take time out of your day to be truthful with yourself. Take a good look at the areas of your life that you are most involved in, and look to see if your involvement is causing other areas to be ignored. If you find that you are neglecting your own needs or your loved ones’ needs, then you can make necessary changes.

Make a Specific Plan:

This will help you remain aware as well. Be very particular and create step by step attainable goals. Do not overwhelm yourself. Remember: one step at a time.

Know Your Likes and Dislikes:

If you notice things that you love are missing from your life, then solve that problem by incorporating those things back into your life. When you notice a drift in healthy habits that you really love, it sets balance off. Make those healthy habits stick.

Think Before Responding:

On a daily basis, you may experience multiple occurences that strike your emotions. Reactions can be on the spot and done without thinking. That’s why it is helpful to think before you act immediately. If and event or occurrence in your day has bothered you and set off your balance, try not to make a rash decision in the moment. Do not let your immediate impulses and actions be taken over by your emotions.

Stay Focused:

Work towards the future and stop dwelling on the past. You will be happier and less stressed. Remember again: one step at a time.

Accept the Present:

It is important to find positive and happy things on a daily basis so that negative emotions do not take over. It’s also important that work gets done to work towards your road to recovery. The last thing you want is stress. So, accepting the present reality can help decrease stress and allow you to live, work, and play more efficiently. Let fury go and acknowledge disappointment. Take a breath if you are stressed or overwhelmed. Be proud of yourself on the journey to recovery, and remember you are strong and have a positive, healthy life to live.

If you or a loved one needs help with abuse and/or treatment, please call the WhiteSands Treatment at (877) 855-3470. Our addiction specialists can assess your recovery needs and help you get the addiction treatment that provides the best chance for your long-term recovery.