When a lot of people think about self-care, they see it as something of a luxury. It’s a nice-to-do thing that you can work into your day when you have time. But when you’re in recovery, that’s not the case.
On your recovery journey, self-care is an absolute necessity. It’s one of the best tools in your arsenal to keep yourself energized and centered as you move along your new path. And, let’s be honest, that footing can get rocky, so you’re gonna need that added boost of clarity and chutzpah.
The good news? Taking care of yourself doesn’t have to be complicated. Or expensive. We’re not talking about buying some fancy jade roller or bougie bubble bath here. Here are three free, sorta easy ways to practice self-care when you’re in recovery.
#1: Check in often
Self-care starts with identifying what you need. What’s going on? How are you feeling?
And, just as important when you’re in recovery, what’s been a challenge lately? Have you noticed anything that triggers a craving?
You might benefit from making your self-care check-in a regular part of your routine. Some people set aside ten minutes in the morning to do a little journaling or make it part of their wind-down at the end of the day.
Find what works for you. Just make sure you’re carving out time to reflect, feel your feelings, and tune into what you need.
#3: Connect with the right friends
Social connection plays a big role in our overall wellbeing. The issue is that when you’re in recovery, the friends you had before might be one of your triggers.
This isn’t to say that you need to shut them out of your life forever. But if you notice that certain people make your journey harder, you can practice self-care by setting boundaries with them. You might only meet them for coffee early in the day, for example.
At the same time, seek out friends who are on the same path as you. Recovery groups in your area might feel awkward to attend at first, but some of your strongest allies could be there waiting for you.
Plus, there are some awesome non-traditional recovery community options out there today, like SHE RECOVERS Foundation. They operate virtually with daily meetings, trauma-informed yoga, and an online community that you can tap into whenever you want or need.
#3: Get moving outside
Exercise and time outdoors (preferably, in nature and in the sun) both boost the happy chemicals in our brains. When you’re recovering from addiction, it’s important to do things that keep your brain chemistry as balanced as possible.
This doesn’t have to be painful. Try going for a 15-minute walk around your neighborhood and see how you feel after.
Recovery is a day-by-day process. You’re probably gonna have some twists and turns. With these self-care tips and a little Doughp to dig into when you need a boost, plus our #Doughp4Hope community beside you, you’ll be ready to hop over roadblocks. Keep moving forward, friend. We’re rooting for you!
