The new year is a time for personal growth and change. People have made resolutions to go back to school, start new jobs, travel the world, and move to a new city or state—and a lot of people will make resolutions about their drinking habits too.
The problem is that many people use alcohol or drugs as an escape from daily life or as a coping mechanism for stressors in their lives. They may think that it’s not that big of a deal because they can easily stop after just one drink or one hit, but what they don’t realize is how quickly addiction can take hold once those habits are started.
Fortunately for those who want to change their ways this year but don’t know where else to turn for help, there are plenty of rehab centers out there with trained counselors ready to help you get sober once and for all!
Start a regular fitness routine
Being active is a great way to stay motivated. Some people start with walking for 30 minutes, while others prefer running or weightlifting. Try to make it a daily habit and set realistic goals for yourself based on how much time you have and how much progress you want to make.
You’ll need the right equipment, like a treadmill or weights, depending on what type of fitness routine you choose. Yoga is a great option for practicing fitness and mindfulness. Yoga can provide stability in your recovery!
Set goals
Goals are the foundation of your recovery plan. When you set realistic goals and take the time to write them down, you’re telling yourself “This is important to me, so I will make it happen.” Once you have your list of goals and reasons for achieving them, write down what steps you need to take in order to achieve them and put that information into a plan.
Setting goals will keep you focused on what matters most in your life – building a healthy life free of addiction problems!
New Places and Spaces
Old places and sometimes spaces can be a big trigger, especially if you used there. Choose new places to go, and new restaurants to try that weren’t a part of your past addiction.
Replace your addictions with new habits and a new network
You can also replace your addictive behaviors with new habits or put forward the effort to build a new network of friends and acquaintances. There’s no better way to fight addiction than by making new connections in your life.
Start a hobby, join a club, go out with friends more often, volunteer—there are countless avenues you can take in order to meet people who share similar interests as you do. You don’t have to reinvent yourself completely; just make sure that when the holidays roll around again next year (and beyond), your social calendar is full of fun activities and events rather than triggers that will cause you to fall backward.
Self-Care!
Taking care of yourself is one of the most important ways to help you to stay sober. Poor mental health is one of the strongest influences on addiction!
Sobriety is a challenge. One of the key ways to fight triggers and relapse is learning how to manage the stressors of life and that’s where self-care comes in.
Self-care is about doing things that make you happy and calm, like:
- Meditation
- Reading
- Journaling
- Warm baths
- Yoga
- A warm cup of tea
These moments, no matter how long, are for you to de-stress and reconnect with yourself.
Get professional help at a rehab center
You may feel like you’ve tried everything to solve your addiction problem, but if you haven’t yet tried rehab, that’s the best bet for you. Rehab centers provide a safe environment where people who are suffering from addictions can receive treatment and support. The staff at these facilities can help you find the right kind of treatment for whatever kind of addiction is plaguing your life. They’ll also help you find a therapist at a mental health treatment center in Los Angeles or a sponsor to guide your recovery process and give advice when it feels like nothing else will work.
The best part about going to rehab is that it doesn’t have to be some extreme measure; there are many kinds of programs available that can suit anyone’s needs! Some people choose residential treatment, which means living at a dormitory-style facility full-time while getting individualized care from specialized doctors or nurses all day every day until their departure date arrives (usually around three months). Other options include outpatient therapy sessions as well as sober living homes where residents live together in group homes with supervision by house managers who make sure everyone stays clean throughout their stay there.
Eat Healthy
A healthy diet isn’t only important for those wanting to lose weight. Eating healthy is one of the best ways to start the new year without an addiction problem. You can do this by avoiding junk food, eating nutritious meals, and drinking plenty of water.
Eating more vegetables and fruits is also important because they provide nutrients your body needs such as vitamins A & C which help boost your immune system. Another way to ensure that you’re getting enough nutrients from your food is by choosing whole grains instead of refined carbs like white bread or pasta made with white flour because it has less fiber than whole grain versions, so it doesn’t fill you up as much but still provides energy throughout the day when needed most (usually after lunchtime).
Conclusion
If you want to start the new year without an addiction problem, then hopefully some of these tips will help you on that path.
The most important thing is to find a way that works for you and stick with it. Also, remember that there is no shame in seeking professional help from a rehab center when needed.