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5 Positive Lifestyle Changes for the Recovering Alcoholic
Recovering from an alcohol addiction is never easy, particularly in a society that seems incapable of existing without alcohol. Though professional treatment is necessary for recovery, there are a few things you can be doing to make the process easier. While altering your lifestyle is no easy feat, the changes you make can improve your quality of life while helping your recovery. Here are a few positive lifestyle changes you can make to smooth the path to recovery.
Eat a Well-Rounded Diet
People suffering from nutritional gaps in their diet may not realize how much their mood is influenced by their eating habits. Lack of proper nutrition can be the cause of depression and therefore the cause of alcohol abuse.
Spend time with a nutritionist to identify where your nutritional balance is lacking and how you can best correct it. If you aren’t exactly handy in the kitchen, now might be a great time to try out a cooking class.
Get Quality Sleep
High-quality sleep can be very elusive in modern times. We live in noisy cities with too much light and spend far too much of our evenings staring at screens. However, you can certainly cultivate good sleeping habits that will improve your quality of sleep, in turn improving your mental health.
The best way to train your brain to sleep well is to create an evening routine. By performing a series of actions each night that involve turning off screens, you can actually train your brain to produce melatonin at the appropriate time, allowing you to fall asleep and stay asleep.
Exercise Regularly
Exercise is not just about physical health. People who exercise are more mentally healthy than those who do not. Exercise produces endorphins that boost your mood and battle the symptoms of mental illness.
It always helps to pick a form of exercise you can enjoy. Some good examples might be yoga, hiking, morning walks, or Tai chi. Forcing yourself into an activity you hate can only be so beneficial. Try a few activities and pick one that works for you.
Immerse Yourself in Hobbies
Keeping busy with enjoyable activities is one of the best ways to foster recovery. Not only are you keeping your hands busy but you are also occupying your mind. Empty time in your daily schedule can sometimes prove detrimental. When you have a hobby, you can easily fill your idle time with something beneficial.
Adopt a Dog
Dogs are some of the best lifestyle changers out there. They force you to get into a daily routine, get you moving, and offer unconditional love while preventing isolation. Dogs are also quite sensitive to human emotions and are often a great resource for the bad days you may experience. If you are at a place in your life where you can care for a dog, you should definitely look at your local shelter and seriously consider adding a pet to your household.
There are many changes you can make in your life that will benefit your recovery goal. Some are easier while others can take some getting used to. It’s not necessary to revamp your entire life right off the bat. In fact, that will likely add to your stress. Instead, try one small change at a time. Watching your life slowly and manageably transform is the best way to put yourself on the right path to a full recovery.
Image via Pixabay by Y-Photography
Article written by Dolly Santos.
