7 Daily Practices for Successful Addiction Recovery

Introduction

When you’re trying to recover from an addiction, everything can seem up in the air and overwhelming, to say the least. While there are many tools to help you deal with the stress of recovery, it helps if you have a schedule in place with daily practices that you perform each and every day. Structure can keep you and track while also helping you feel better.

The first thing you need to do is make sure you’re understanding addiction treatment and what it entails. Once you have a clear handle on what is expected, then you can follow the daily practices below to help you make it through and come out clean on the other side.

Make Your Bed

While this might seem super-simple, making your bed is a great way to start the day positively. For most people, it gives them a sense of accomplishment.

Being able to stick to such a simple task as making your bed before you get started on your morning routine can lead to other small achievements, such as putting your dirty clothes in the laundry, and other simple acts that make you feel good.

Besides, there’s nothing like climbing into a freshly made, unrumpled bed at the end of a long day to get a good night’s rest.

Exercise

Exercise has long been known to help addicts recovering, but it’s better if it’s a daily practice. Not only does it occupy your time, but it also gives you a sense of satisfaction at the end of a workout session.

Exercise has also been proven to reduce depression, and we all know that the addiction recovery process can be an emotional roller coaster ride at times. It’s not uncommon to experience more than a few bouts of depression during your recovery.

Exercise releases feel good chemicals into the body, called endorphins. Endorphins trigger a positive feeling in the body, similar to that of morphine.

I can’t stress enough just how beneficial exercise is during addiction recovery. Try hiking, running, biking, or going to the gym. Just get moving, you won’t be sorry!

Take a Walk

Whether it’s a walk around the neighborhood, to the gym, or just a quick walk after dinner, this is one daily practice that is beneficial in many different ways.

Walking not only helps you physically, but it’s also a great way to think and decide where you’re going from here. Think of it like walking meditation. Use this time to reflect on your life and progress, and you can reinforce within just how great you’re doing on the road to recovery.

It’s one exercise that is good for your body, your mind, and your soul. Take it up a notch and walk in nature, which in of itself offers a new element of healing energy. It has been proven that spending time in nature can uplift the spirit.

Make Lists

Every night before you go to bed, make a list of what you need to do the next day. Once you’ve made the list, schedule those things for throughout the day. It’s super satisfying to check things off on a list and not forget to do the important things for you.

A list will also help keep you organized and feeling productive. Addiction recovery can be hard since we’re having to think and feel in ways we haven’t in a very long time. At times we might feel as if we haven’t been productive and wasted years of our life.

By fostering a new sense of productivity, you’ll begin to replace your old limited belief patterns with new, positive ones. Making a list and accomplishing items on that list daily is a great way to feel productive, and that will reflect on your recovery.

Make Meetings Top Priority

Meetings are essential and should be made a top priority. Whether you’re feeling down, lazy, getting over a cold, or just don’t feel like going to your meeting, you need to go anyway. The sessions are what is going to help stay on the straight and narrow on your road to recovery.

Attending your meetings can’t be stressed enough. The sense of community and support you’ll get at your meetings is going to be super important on the road to recovery, especially during those times where you feel a lapse looming.

Eat Healthy and Hydrate

Eating right and staying hydrated is essential no matter what, but it’s even more critical when you’re a recovering addict. This isn’t to say that you can never have junk food, but you need to make sure that you’re hydrated and eating plenty of fruits, veggies, and proteins.

Eating right is vital to your recovery and your physical health as well. And don’t forget to drink  your minimum eight glasses of water a day. In fact, I recommend doubling that. Hydration is more important than you might think.

If you generally don’t consume much water, try drinking half a gallon to a gallon per day for a week, and you’ll be amazed how good you will feel.

Make Time for Things You Enjoy

It’s also important to take at least 20 minutes a day out to do something you truly enjoy in the middle of your daily tasks. Whether it’s curling up on the couch watching Netflix, reading a book, or spending time with friends, the road to recovery is based on happiness as well as healthiness, so don’t forget that during your journey.

If you have a beloved pet such as a cat or dog, make it a priority to play with them. I know you enjoy it! You can even take it up a notch and take your dog for an extended walk or to the park to absorb some of nature’s healing energy.

Making time each day to do the things you enjoy is critical on the road to recovery. Trust me, this one is key and you won’t be sorry. Life is about enjoying the journey, right?

Conclusion

These are just a few of the daily practices you should establish to help you make it on the road to recovery. As a recovering addict, a routine is important, and this will help you succeed in doing that.

If you feel a relapse looming, take note of number five on this list. A support system during recovery may just be one of the most important things listed here.

And if you ever feel as if you just don’t want to continue, remember how far you’ve already come. Eventually your new healthy habits and life will become your reality. Don’t give up, you can do this!

What tips and strategies have you used to overcome your addiction? Would love to hear all about them in the comments below…

About Theresa Duncan

Originally from Detroit, MI, Theresa has been offering health and fitness advice for the last 30 years while working as an engineer. She decided to turn her passion into a profession, and finds nothing more satisfying than helping others reach their health and fitness goals.