Staying sober is not the only important thing about life after treatment. The aspects of your life that were ignored during active addiction have to be made up in order to find happiness and fulfillment in recovery. You may feel like you are starting over, but it’s really just a new beginning for you. It takes time to get back on track with all the things that make us who we are as people. This includes our relationships, work, hobbies, spirituality, etc. There will always be challenges along the way, but if you stay focused on what matters most – yourself and others- then everything else falls into place.
The importance of eating well and exercising is often overlooked in the recovery process. Nutrition can help boost your mood, increase energy levels while reducing stress which will ultimately make you feel better overall.
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) has defined eight key dimensions of wellness. SAMHSA describes the eight dimensions of wellness as the following:
- Emotional
- Environmental
- Financial
- Intellectual
- Occupational
- Physical
- Social
- Spiritual
Dedicating time each day to these dimensions of wellness can help to improve your health and wellness after treatment. Recovery isn’t just about breaking old habits or fixing damaged relationships; rather this journey requires maintenance of mental health in order to stay away from dangerous behaviors that could lead back into active substance abuse again.
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Emotional and Mental Wellness in Recovery
Mental wellness is different for everyone because it means taking the time to recognize what you’re doing well and when your mental state may need some help. There are many ways to achieve mental wellness, but one of the most effective is taking time for yourself. When you’re in your own headspace and not paying attention, it’s easy to ignore what you need due to so many distractions around us all day.
While every person has their own strategy for increasing mental awareness, there are some common methods that people use including:
- Yoga
- Journaling
- Tai Chi
- Meditation
- Prayer
All in all, finding a way to take care of yourself mentally is important if you want to maintain long-term sobriety. It helps keep you grounded and focused on staying sober instead of getting lost in negative thoughts.
Nutrition in Recovery
It’s hard to maintain a healthy lifestyle when addiction is at the forefront. A person struggling with addiction will eventually start to have negative effects on their body if they neglect nutrients. The longer an individual goes without proper sustenance, the worse it can get and lead them towards illness or even death.
Eating well is important for your health and can help you feel more energized. A balanced diet that includes nutrient-dense foods such as fruits, vegetables, whole grains, or beans will provide the body with all of its nutritional needs.
Exercise and Addiction Recovery
Your body is the vehicle that moves you through life; it’s vital to treat it with kindness. Regular physical activity, restful sleep, and healthy foods can reduce your risk of illness as well boost moods so they’re both emotional wellness but also physical wellbeing.
Exercise has been shown to be a potential treatment for drug abuse. When combined with other forms of addiction care, exercise can produce protective effects tied in at the neurobiological and behavioral levels related to physical activity that are critical for recovery from substance use disorders.
Maintaining good nutrition and regular exercise is essential to living a happy and fulfilling life while recovering from addiction.
To learn more about the dimensions of wellness or treatment programs available at Riverside Recovery of Tampa, contact our admissions team today.