Addiction recovery can be extremely challenging, which can test your resolve. It’s easy to let negativity creep in when things get tough, especially if progress is slow.
There are going to ups and downs during recovery, which is why positive thinking is so important. While being positive comes naturally to some people, it can be hard for a person who’s putting in the work at an addiction recovery center. Substance use disorders put people into very negative thinking patterns. It can take time to rewire your thinking, but there are a lot of ways that you can stay positive even when the road to recovery gets rocky.
Practice Positive Thinking With Mindfulness
Practice makes perfect, even when it comes it thinking. There’s a practice called mindfulness that studies show has a very positive effect on positive thinking. Being mindful essentially means living in the present moment. If you’re ruminating about what happened in the past (which can’t be changed) or worrying about the possible future (which may not happen) it has a negative influence on how we think and feel.
Use this simple guide to achieve mindfulness in five minutes.
Meditate for 5 Minutes a Day
Another aspect of being mindful is paying attention to your body in the moment. It includes your breathing, tension and mood. One way to become more mindful is by meditating. Many studies have proven that meditation is a mental exercise that can improve overall wellbeing.
Another reason to meditate is it’s been shown to lower stress levels. Meditation has a calming effect that is powerful enough to lower blood pressure. When stress is lower it’s easier to stay positive.
The best part is meditation is free, can be done by anyone and all it takes is five minutes a day to see the benefits. Find a quiet place where you can sit alone and turn your full attention to your breathing. You may want to get a meditation app that will help get started and guide you through the process.
Have a Recovery Coach
A Recovery Coach is there for you when negativity starts to creep in and threatens your sobriety. In most cases, a Recovery Coach has been in your shoes. They’ve battled their own addition and can fully empathize.
One of the most positive things about a Recovery Coach is they are an example of what’s possible. They are proof positive that you can get down the tough road ahead, and it helps to know you’ll have someone there by your side to guide the way.
Get Enough Sleep
Sleep has a dramatic impact on mood. When we are sleep deprived, even for a night, it can cause us to be quick-tempered, emotional and moody. Chronic sleep loss can have a seriously negative effect on your physical health along with increasing symptoms of anxiety and depressing mood. It’s even been connected with an increased likelihood of alcohol use.
Adults should get at least seven hours of sleep a night, however everyone’s sleep needs are unique. It’s common for people to need up to nine hours of sleep to feel fully refreshed.
Actively Avoid Triggers
A trigger is a person, place or thing that negatively impacts you and can lead to substance abuse. Working with counselors at an addiction treatment center can help you identify your triggers so that you can do your best to avoid them. This is often the best strategy when you’re in recovery and working to handle your triggers more positively.
Lose Yourself in a Hobby You Enjoy
Hobbies are what you spend your free time doing. As strange as it sounds, substance use disorder is like a very bad hobby. When you’re free from addiction, the time that was once spent in pursuit of obtaining and using drugs needs to be filled.
It’s hard to be negative when you’re engrossed in a healthy hobby you enjoy, and it’s a great way to occupy your free time. Counselors at addiction treatment centers can help you find hobbies that are related to your interests. At Dallas addiction centers clients can also take part in experiential therapy and activities that can help you find a new interest that can turn into a healthy hobby.
Stay Physically Active
Physical exercise doesn’t just change the body, it can also change the mind. Researchers have discovered that there’s a wide range of mental benefits that come from physical activity. It can simultaneous reduce negative mood, anxiety and depression while boosting self-esteem.
Exercise doesn’t have to happen in a gym. Getting out and walking a trail for 30 minutes works just as well as lifting weights or taking a yoga class. As long as you’re being physically active and enjoy what you’re doing that’s what counts.
Keep a Gratitude Journal
Simply thinking about what you are grateful for can make you more positive. Try keeping a gratitude journal that you add to every day. Many people find that writing down 3-5 things they’re grateful for each morning can help start the day with a positive mindset.
Set Goals to Work Toward
A goal gives you something to work towards and look forward to reaching. Goals can have a particularly positive effect if they are paired with rewards. Aim to set one or two goals that are challenging but attainable then come up with a reward system for hitting your goals. Start small with a goal you can reach in the near future and use it as motivation to reach even bigger goals. Having an accountability partner, like a friend who is also in recovery, will increase your odds of reaching the goal and help you build a stronger relationship.
Surround Yourself With Positive People
It’s much easier to stay positive if the people around you are in that state of mind. In recovery many people naturally start to surround themselves with more positive people as they reevaluate their values and build a support system of likeminded people. These positive people are the ones who will help you stay motivated when the path to recovery gets rough.
You’ll find a supportive community that can help you stay positive at the Lighthouse Recovery Dallas addiction center. The positive journey starts with one call. Contact our admissions team to schedule a free, confidential assessment.
