There are so many things to learn throughout the process of receiving treatment for addiction. While your focus may be on physical sobriety, the changes you need will happen on a deeper level. Even though there are big issues to address within treatment, sometimes it is the little things that make everything else fall into place. One of these seemingly inconsequential things is self-care.
What is Self-Care?
The words “self” and “care” imply that self-care is something that you do to take care of yourself, which is true. However, most people think of it as basic hygiene or other routines that you are probably already doing. Other interpretations include spending money or pampering yourself, which may be true as well but are certainly not requirements. Self-care is simply something you do for yourself every day that inspires or motivates you. Something that you make time for that sparks some joy in your life or improves you mentally, physically, or spiritually. Because it is “self”-care, no one can tell you what to do. Self-care is taking the time to do something that you personally choose to do for yourself every single day.
The Benefits of Self-Care
The benefits of self-care are like a ripple effect. When you do something that brings you joy, you feel better physically and emotionally. When you take time out for yourself every single day, you are telling yourself and others, “I’m worth it.” Some elements of your self-care may involve improving your body or your mind, making you better than you were the day before. By taking time out for yourself, you become more productive and also have more energy to give to others. The list of benefits is infinite, the ripples of positivity and self-worth just keep spreading in your life and the lives of others.
Why is Self-Care So Important?
When you are in the throes of active addiction, you lose yourself to the substance. Everything you do each day is centered around accessing or using that substance. You lose your self-worth, you lose the things that made you happy, and you lose track of who you are as a human being. Self-care helps you take your life back, one day at a time. You start to remember the things that brought you joy and you can also discover new things that make you happy. Self-care is a way of getting to know yourself once again.
Self-care is also important to re-establish your self-worth. By taking time for yourself every single day, you are telling the world and yourself that you are worth it. You deserve to be happy, and you deserve to know that you are important enough to do something nice for yourself every day. After being beaten down by guilt and shame during substance abuse, you can build yourself back up one day at a time, one activity at a time.
Ideas for Self-Care
You are the only one who can determine what will make you happy, inspire you, and help you to be a better person. Here are some ideas to set your mind in motion:
- Learn a new hobby
- Pick up an old hobby
- Exercise or learn a new sport or other physical activity
- Take a class at a recreation center or local college
- Learn a new skill or improve an existing skill
- Meditate or practice another relaxation technique
- Work on that project you’ve been wanting to start, one day at a time
- Take on a new challenge to complete a series of tasks
- Work toward a big goal or activity you have always wanted to accomplish
- Develop your spirituality or belief system
- Turn off your phone and other devices for some daily peace and quiet
Making Self-Care the Cornerstone of Your Recovery
When you make time for yourself, you create the expectation of value for you and others to see. You are also re-committing to your recovery every single day. You are telling yourself that you are going to place your emotional and physical health as a priority today, and then again tomorrow. You are actively choosing wellness, and in turn, happiness. Your self-care sets a standard for your recovery that not only are you not allowing yourself to relapse or be tempted, but you are going out of your way to do something positive for yourself. Today, for as little as 15 minutes, you are going to make that statement again: I am worth this. When you reclaim your self-worth every single day, you are making self-care the cornerstone of your recovery.
Self-care is a way to tell yourself “I love you,” every single day. When you begin the ripple effect of doing something for yourself daily, you are re-claiming your self-worth, and in turn, you will have more to offer to others. Most of all, self-care is a way to re-commit to your recovery every single day. No matter how hard yesterday was, you are starting over today and staking your claim to your life once again. At Promising Outlook, we understand the value of self-care. At our Riverside, California outpatient center, you can learn to love yourself again and build the habit of daily self-care. Our staff is ready to help you reclaim your life and find joy again, one day at a time. Call today at (951) 783-2487 to speak to one of our compassionate staff members about taking your life back again. Rediscover who you are, and learn the value of self-care.