4 Tips for Celebrating Body Positivity

Do you ever look in the mirror and start putting yourself down? Maybe your hair isn’t cooperating that particular day or you remind yourself that it’s time to get back to the gym. Even though these silent critiques seem relatively harmless, constantly berating yourself can dampen your self-esteem while increasing your risk of depression and relapse if you are working on your sobriety.

But, there is good news! You can develop self-care strategies to celebrate body positivity. By adopting a healthier self-image, you can learn to break the cycle of negative thought patterns and feel better about yourself.

Want to promote a more positive self-image? Here are a few easy tips to help you get started!

(1) Consider yourself a role model for other women.
Negativity can become contagious – but positive ideas can spread like wildfire too! By celebrating who you are today, it can boost your self-esteem and inspire others to treat themselves in a compassionate way too.

(2) Celebrate what your body can do and everything that you can do! 
Remind yourself that your body is more than simply what you see in the mirror. It is an amazing gift that enables you to hug loved ones, enjoy long walks with your four-legged friends and feel the warmth of the sun on your face. Pretty amazing, right?

(3) Appreciate what makes you unique.
Are you proud of your curly red hair or hazel green eyes? One easy way to shut down your own inner critic is to consciously replace those thoughts with positive self-affirmations. Compliment yourself and be proud of who you are.

(4) Exercise for the sake of feeling strong and healthy.
Do you go to the gym just to budge the number on your bathroom scale? Consider reframing how you approach exercise. Think of your workouts as a tool to help you feel good about yourself - mentally and physically.

Nutritional Guidance, Yoga and More

As part of our holistic approach to addiction treatment, we offer a variety of services to help women repair the physical and psychological harm caused by drugs and alcohol. Using a variety of therapies including nutritional counseling provided by our registered dietitian, yoga classes and other exercise opportunities, clients can establish a healthier relationship with food and with themselves. We’re here to help: (866) 746-1558.

Holistic Addiction Treatment and Running 101: Strategies for Beginners

Have you ever seen a running group jog by and wished that you could be that athletic, that active and that committed to your health? Well, you actually can. You don’t have to be an Olympic athlete or a former high school track star to start forming new healthy habits like running.

And, many former addicts have found that running is a great addition to their new, sober lifestyle after quitting drugs or alcohol. It can help you manage anxiety (a common relapse trigger), boost your self- confidence and help control your weight.

If you are thinking about becoming a runner, here are a few proven strategies you can use to ease into it.

(1) Buy quality running shoes to avoid injuries. 
Did you know that buying the wrong size or shoes without the right support can increase your risk of developing a running injury? To protect your health, consider shopping at a store that specializes in selling running gear. In many instances, they can actually watch you jog to identify your form, stride and fitness level to recommend the right shoes for you.

(2) Keep a training log.
If you are starting a new running regimen, consider recording your mileage in a notebook or with a fitness app on your smart phone. That way, you can track your progress as you gradually increase the distance of each run and celebrate your fitness goals along the way.

(3) Don’t push yourself too hard or too quickly. 
This is one of the most common mistakes that new runners make – which can lead to burn-out and injuries. Remember that it takes time to build stamina and strength.

(4) Visit your doctor for a checkup.
Before you start any new type of exercise, it’s always a good idea to get approval from your doctor first. This is especially important if you’ve been sedentary for more than a year, are overweight or have a history of high blood pressure.

Boot Camps, Yoga and Exercise to Support Your Sobriety 

At Rising Roads Recovery, we understand that fighting addiction is more than simply giving up drugs and alcohol. It’s also about creating a new sober lifestyle that supports your health holistically. That’s why we offer a wide variety of fitness classes including boot camps, yoga and more to help with stress relief and strengthen your body during addiction recovery. To discover more about our drug and alcohol rehab, call today: (866) 746-1558.