Updated on 12/13/2022
The new year is full of possibilities, providing you with 12 months of choices and opportunities. If you are currently in addiction recovery, the new year can be that push you need to set positive goals for yourself. The beginning of the year is a chance to set a new tone for the months ahead, but you might be unsure of where to start in developing that tone. If you’re looking to set a New Year’s resolution this year, here are some ideas:
Set Reasonable Goals
Much like a new year’s resolution, a goal is something you want to achieve in a certain amount of time. You can set short-term goals to accomplish quickly and long-term goals that will require more work over an extended period. Setting goals at the beginning of the year will help you feel excited about what’s to come in the year ahead. You can divide your goals by months, weeks or even days, depending on what works best for you. Some ideas of these goals can be spending more time with family or friends, volunteering regularly or trying a new hobby.
Develop a Schedule
Whether you are in recovery or not, setting a set daily schedule can keep you focused and progressing in any positive goals you have for yourself. When you are in a treatment facility, you will most likely have a set schedule for the day. This may include your meals, exercise, group sessions, individual therapy, outdoor activities, addiction education, time for socializing, experiential therapies, reflection and set times for going to sleep and waking up. That kind of schedule can also be positive outside of the treatment program, but will likely require more discipline on your end, since it’s not being implemented for you.
Prioritize Your Physical Wellness
Exercise should be fun and shouldn’t seem like work, and that looks different for everyone. For you, prioritizing your wellness may look like going for a walk, running through your favorite park, doing yoga on your balcony, swimming or doing anything that you enjoy doing that involves physical activity. Find what you like to do and get your body moving, then set a routine so you can exercise daily or a few times a week. This kind of routine will help your recovery by keeping you healthy, giving you sufficient energy and filling your free time. Nutrition is another aspect of wellness to prioritize. You can set goals to eat at regular meal times and prioritize giving your body the necessary nutrients needed to sustain recovery over time.
Participate in Support Groups
Connecting with other individuals who are working toward their sobriety can be a healing and transformational experience. It can be incredibly validating to talk to someone who has gone through the same trials and tribulations you have been through, even if their experiences are slightly different. Attending a support group will provide you with an environment full of sober individuals who can support you on your good and bad days. It will also help you expand your sober support network, which you will need in the future, even if you are years into your recovery.
Practice Self-Care
Perhaps one of the most overlooked aspects of recovery is practicing self-care. Everyone understands going to therapy, eating well, exercising, talking to other sober individuals and other general recovery aspects. However, the basic practice of self-care is often overlooked because it seems so obvious. Yet so many people forget to practice it. This year, take time for yourself and slow down. Ensure you are taking care of your mental, physical and spiritual health to continue your healing journey. Self-care can look like taking a hike somewhere picturesque, watching a comedy series, taking a bubble bath once a week or making time to read that best-selling novel.
The new year is a time of limitless possibilities and goals that you can set to progress in your recovery. Recovery is a journey you must take at your own pace, and the new year allows you to set goals that you can work towards over the coming days, weeks, and months. You can take small steps toward your recovery to achieve bigger goals. Contact us at Casa Palmera to start your path to recovery today.
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