While you were in rehab, you most likely engaged in some form of health and wellness activities. These may seem like parts of recovery that aren’t important but are actually necessary to maintain one’s recovery. Now that you are out of rehab and creating your own schedule, it can be challenging to know how to maintain health and wellness over an extended period. Sure, going to the gym and eating salads every day can be useful, but eventually, you need to shake things up and keep life fun and interesting. Maintaining health and wellness in recovery doesn’t have to be hard; you just need to expand your horizons and reap the benefits of recovery.
At most rehabs and sober living facilities, you most likely took part in preparing and eating healthy meals. Nutrition is crucial to early recovery -- the effects of withdrawal can be rough on your body, leaving it weak and needing nutrients. Your body also needs healthy foods because of the damage it has endured as a consequence of addiction. Proper nutrition can give you the energy, motivation, and healing required for recovery.
Eating foods rich in vitamin A boosts your immune system, while foods rich in vitamin D improve your overall bone health and strength. Foods that have vitamin B-12 will aid your body in the production of new cells. You can also hydrate your body with certain foods that are high in water content. This way, your body can begin healing by absorbing all of the nutrients it needs from proper foods.
It’s normal to stick with foods you know and like. Maybe you still eat the meals you ate in rehab because you know they are suitable for your recovery. However, you shouldn’t be scared to introduce new healthy foods into your diet. A great way to do this is to try new things, such as kitchen therapy. Kitchen therapy allows you to meditate while cooking, appreciating each ingredient for what it adds to your meal and well-being. Some kitchen therapy courses work in groups, allowing you to bounce ideas off of other classmates and even make some new friends. You can also consider taking a simple cooking class, trying a new health foods restaurant, or visiting a new grocery store.
Another component of your rehab experience most likely involved some form of physical activity each day. Exercise is a great stress reducer, builds your strength, and improves your self-esteem. Engaging in physical activity alongside proper nutrition gives you adequate energy to continue healing and moving ahead in your recovery.
You may think you have to go to a gym or go on a run for exercise. However, if these activities are not enjoyable, there are other ways to implement physical activity into your life. While those activities work for some people, they aren’t for everyone. If you find yourself bored at the gym, or not enjoying your runs, try out a different activity. Making exercise fun can keep you engaged -- it won’t feel like work.
If you wish to exercise outside of going to the gym and running, consider taking a new class or signing up for a team sport. A fun activity that can help you engage with others is yoga. Some may not consider yoga as a team sport. However, many treatment centers are implementing yoga because it is excellent for strength training, stress-reducing, and aiding in recovery by reducing cravings. Not only does it produce several benefits in the healing process, but yoga is also practiced with others, allowing you to meet new, healthy people. You can also consider joining a swim team or playing tennis at your local park. You might even try a fun activity such as rollerskating. Finding an exercise or physical activity you like will keep you motivated to continue on the path to physical wellness, which will help you maintain your sobriety for the long term.
At Northstar, we want to push our clients to try things they have never done before. We take an experiential approach to our treatment modalities. Health and wellness are especially crucial in recovery, which is why we implement various physical activities such as yoga, group activities, and other outdoor activities for our clients to practice together. We are lucky to be situated in Boulder, Colorado, where you can enjoy the natural scenery as you partake in these activities. We hope to set an example for our clients so they can stay sober for the long term.
Health and wellness are crucial to maintaining your recovery for the long term, which is why we at Northstar Transitions put on emphasis on them during our clients’ stay. The benefits of nutrition and exercise cannot be underestimated. They give you the necessary energy, motivation, self-confidence, and courage to continue on the path to sobriety. At Northstar, we have various wellness activities to partake in where you will learn the necessary skills to carry over into life after rehab. Sometimes you can get stuck in a routine doing the same things over again, making recovery monotonous. You can improve this by trying new things and expanding your horizons regarding health and wellness, such as trying new foods or participating in a new physical activity. You can find the proper motivation and support with Northstar’s team -- don’t hesitate to give us a call. You can reach us at (303) 558-6400. Recovery doesn’t end when treatment does!
