With 2022 upon us, now is the perfect time to act on your New Year’s resolutions and what you want to achieve in the next 12 months.
And for recovering addicts, this is also the perfect opportunity to set out resolutions that will help them stay on the road to recovery.
A new year brings new hope, new beginnings, and new opportunities to succeed.
Here are some New Year’s resolutions for recovering addicts to consider.
When you’re recovering from addiction, the smallest achievement is worth celebrating. Whether that’s getting out and about for the first time in a long time, managing to get up and take a shower, or reconnecting with friends and family.
Of course, every single day you go without relapsing should be celebrated too.
So, celebrate the small things and the big things. Every day write a list of everything you’ve achieved and acknowledge what you’ve done.
We all need help at some point in our lives and you should never be afraid or embarrassed to ask for help when you need it, particularly if you’re on your journey to recovery.
So, in the New Year, make it your new resolution to seek the help and support you need, when you need it. This will help to keep you on the right track and help you reach your goals.
Committing to a new hobby is a great way to give you a new focus, which will help you keep on the right track on your road to recovery. After all, finding new interests can help you to avoid any activities that involve drugs and alcohol.
Whether you learn a new skill, try out a new sport, or have a go at cooking lessons, painting, drawing, knitting or even singing or dancing, there are so many things to do. If there’s something you’ve always wanted to try, or you’d like to get back into an activity you used to enjoy when you were younger, a new year is the perfect time to take that all-important first step and give it a try.
If you’re yet to go back to work, volunteering is not only a great way to help others, but it will also help you to get used to the world of work again, being with others and getting back into a routine.
Whether you volunteer with a charity or at a soup kitchen, there are lots of ways that you can make a difference to the lives of others. This is also the perfect opportunity to create a stronger relationship with your community and make new friends.
Exercising is great for the body, mind and soul and can really help with your addiction recovery efforts. Even just 30 minutes a day can change your frame of mind, release happy endorphins, and improve your quality of life.
The key for sticking to this resolution is to commit to an exercise you enjoy, whether that’s going to the gym, rugby, yoga, running, rollerblading, or swimming. Exercise can also help to reduce anxiety and depression and help you to sleep better.
Finally, try to stay positive. We will all have off days from time to time, and recovery isn’t an easy process, but it’s important that you learn how to channel your emotions through positivity. Writing down all of the reasons you have to be thankful for can really help.
If your New Year’s resolution is to seek help and start your journey to recovery, we can help. Get in touch to find out how we can support you.
