Too busy? 5 steps to break the cycle and find joy in recovery
Recovering from alcohol abuse or drug addiction is one of the most difficult things to do. It is not a quick-fix, move-on and forget-about-it type of thing; instead it is a lifelong journey of sobriety that takes time and effort. Attending meetings, keeping in touch with others in recovery and taking personal time to reflect are necessary components to staying sober. It can be extremely difficult to stay sober and find time amid busy schedules to enjoy life.
Living in a fast-paced environment that is inundated with multitasking, to-do lists, agendas, meetings and technology can make it difficult to juggle work, family, a social life and time for oneself. People wake up exhausted and go to bed exhausted. Many are overworked and don’t take time to go on vacation or enjoy the things they like to do. Yet self-care and taking time to enjoy life are key to maintaining lifelong recovery.
It takes effort and initiative for people to make time for themselves. People in recovery need this personal time, because often the stresses of life can cause relapse. Physical, spiritual, mental and emotional well-being are all important for personal growth. Knowing one’s true passion, gifts and what one has to offer the world, and aligning one’s life accordingly, will allow a fulfilled life lived intention and passion. That takes time to oneself to discover.
Keeping busy to an extent is important while trying to stay sober. It keeps individuals from thinking about drinking or using drugs. Keeping a routine gives a sense of purpose in life. However, overbooking and constant multitasking can lead to increased stress levels, causing people to forget to the take time off and enjoy life. The following are five simple steps to regain control of a life that is too busy:
- Learn how to say “no.” Sometimes people take on too many projects because they are scared to say “no,” and this creates more stress and panic when they find it difficult to complete all of the tasks. Whether it is at work or in one’s personal life, it is important to know one’s limits and how much work one can manage
- Set aside an hour a day for personal time. Make time to go to a group meeting, exercise, enjoy the outdoors or whatever is re-energizing. There are 24 hours in a day, so taking one hour for oneself is the least one can do
- Learn to live in the moment. Whether it is a craving for alcohol, frustration at work or experiencing happiness, accept these emotions without judgment. Recognize these emotions and be mindful of what is happening bodily while experiencing them. Using critical thinking skills and practicing mindfulness can prevent relapse or engaging in some other regrettable behavior, such as sending a heated message or email
- Practice gratitude. Instead of complaining about waking up early, going to work or maintaining sobriety, take a moment to be thankful for each day, for being able to earn a paycheck and for trying to become or remain sober. There is always someone else in the world who is going through a darker day. Being grateful for what one has in life is key to happiness
- Discover what makes produces happiness. Sometimes people go through life without even discovering what truly makes them happy because they are so busy. Like a rat on a wheel or a child on a merry-go-round, repeating the same daily routine can make people dizzy and cause them to lose sight of what makes them happy
If you or someone you know needs help becoming sober, Sovereign Health Group might be able to help. Sovereign Health helps the individual minimize the risk of relapse by customizing programs with cutting-edge, evidence-based treatment. Sovereign Health offers programs accredited by The Joint Commission and has several facilities which are dually licensed to treat mental health disorders and substance abuse. To learn more, call the 24/7 helpline at 855-683-9756.
Written by Kristen Fuller, M.D., Sovereign Health Group writer