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Strengthen Your Recovery Through Wellness Management

 

You probably had very different ideas about what it meant to be in recovery before coming to treatment. From the outside looking in, it might seem like recovery is merely abstaining from drugs and alcohol, and working a 12 Step Program. While that’s partly true, those are two very important components of your recovery, the wellness of the various areas of your life are just as important. Wellness is what makes your recovery sustainable, and helps you build a lasting foundation for your life in sobriety.

Defining Wellness…

Wellness doesn’t just mean counting calories or doing cardio once a week. Wellness is the state of being in good health overall. In fact, there are seven total areas of wellness:

  • Physical
  • Emotional
  • Intellectual
  • Social
  • Spiritual
  • Environmental
  • Occupational

As you work to rebuild your life during your recovery, you will notice that “feeding” these seven parts of your life will only strengthen your decision-making abilities, boost your confidence and self-image, and most importantly, help you avoid a return to use.

So, what habits can you work into your daily routine to support your overall wellness?

Eating well and Staying Active

Previously on the blog, we’ve covered the multiple benefits of incorporating physical activity into your routine, specifically relating to your recovery. Essentially, eating well and staying active improves your sleep, can help improve your confidence, structures your days, and helps to reduce stress. You can read that full post here.

You also must realize that your gut and your brain are connected. What you put into your body as your “fuel” does matter, and certain foods can contribute to heightened levels of anxiety and depression. Avoiding or limiting sugary foods such as candy, soda, and juices can help regulate your blood sugar and energy levels. Switching to whole foods such as fruits, vegetables, and healthy fats can help you feel your best as you provide your body with the nutrients necessary to get through the day.

For a more in-depth look at how your nutrition can impact your anxiety, join Fellowship Hall and Triad Lifestyle Medicine on November 12th from 12:30 to 1:30 for a Wellness Webinar. Hosts Leah Hazelwood and Tiffany Allen will be leading us in a conversation about the ways we can prepare to have a healthier holiday season, managing our anxiety with proper nutrition and wellness habits.

 Maintaining a Strong Spiritual Life

A rich spiritual life focuses on concepts that are foundational to long-term recovery such as (but not limited to) surrender, reflection, acceptance, honesty, and hope for the future. Habits such as prayer, meditation, and journaling are all healthy ways to stay spiritually fit. These things allow you to center yourself, to take a step back from tough situations and stressors, and to make the best decisions as you move forward in building your new big life.

Balancing Social, Environmental, and Occupational Life  

Finally, your interpersonal relationships are equally as important as the relationship you have with yourself. Be mindful of the environment you live in, and work in. Identify triggers of stress or anxiety—maybe you find that you can’t work well or relax if things are messy. Work to avoid creating stressful environments for yourself.

In both your occupational and social life, be sure to reflect and “check-in” with yourself. Are you doing the best you can to get the most out of the work that you are doing? Are you connecting with your co-workers and friends in ways that are healthy for you? What boundaries are you exercising to keep yourself and others well in your relationships? Remember, if you’re unsure about work-life balance, socializing in sobriety, or even how to create the best environments for yourself, don’t be afraid to reach out. Identify the weaknesses in any of your areas of wellness and ask a sponsor or trusted member in your support network for guidance on how to improve these areas of your life so that you may further strengthen your recovery.

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For more information, resources, and encouragement, ‘like’ the Fellowship Hall Facebook page and follow us on Instagram at @FellowshipHallNC.

About Fellowship Hall
Fellowship Hall is a 99-bed, private, not-for-profit alcohol and drug treatment center located on 120 tranquil acres in Greensboro, N.C. We provide treatment and evidence-based programs built upon the Twelve-Step model of recovery. We have been accredited by The Joint Commission since 1974 as a specialty hospital and are a member of the National Association of Addiction Treatment Providers. We are committed to providing exceptional, compassionate care to every individual we serve.