Nurturing Yourself During Recovery: 4 Tips for Boosting Your Body Image

When you look in the mirror, you probably think about how you look. But, do you ever take the time to think about the way you feel about your body? Living a healthy, well-balanced life is an important part of addiction recovery and that also includes maintaining a positive body image. While it may not come naturally to you, you can learn how to become less critical of yourself, resist stereotypes and become more comfortable in your own skin.

If you are in the process of creating a new, addiction-free life, you can support your sobriety by simply boosting your self-esteem and cultivating a healthier relationship with yourself.

Want to change the way you think about your body and stop the negativity? Here are four ways you can take charge of how you judge – YOU!

(1) Focus on what your body can do, instead of simply what it looks like. 
Instead of judging yourself on arbitrary measures like your weight, try to reframe your thinking to take a more holistic approach. The next time you are going for a walk or riding your bike in the park, take a moment to appreciate all the things you can do.

(2) Prioritize health and fitness, not a number on the scale. 
If you want to build a healthier relationship with your body, think about creating goals that are related to improving your overall health like running a 5K, eating more fruits and vegetables or lowering your cholesterol.

(3) Limit negative self-talk. 
The next time you catch yourself being overly critical of your appearance, replace those thoughts with more positive statements. Instead of “I hate my thighs” or “I look old” take a moment to appreciate what you do love about your body.

(4) Abolish “perfectionism”. 
When you find yourself being overly judgmental about your appearance, consider if you are holding yourself to an unrealistic standard of what you think is attractive. Would you judge a friend that same way?

Learn More About Transitional Living 

Recovery is challenging and is more than just being physically sober. Recovery includes physical as well as emotional and spiritual healing. We can help you cultivate a life free from addiction by nurturing your mind, body and spirit. To find out more about our addiction treatment services including Rising Road Recovery’s transitional living program for women, call (866) 746-1558. 

Going from Here to There: 3 Small Habits to Fuel Big Changes

There is no “cure” for addiction or destructive behaviors. It’s a process. It begins with making one small step today to get you closer to the future you want and deserve. And then, you’re able to use that positive momentum to propel you closer to achieving your personal and professional goals.

If you are looking to making a change in your life, rethink your current path and make a course correction towards sobriety, you can actually fuel that change with a lot of small, incremental steps along the way.

In order to successfully say “Goodbye” to your old life, one filled with an addiction to drugs or alcohol, you need to make a build a positive foundation on which to build your new sober lifestyle.

For those courageous enough to pursue a new life and work towards their dreams, it may seem insurmountable at first. But, by making a few positive changes in your life today, you can use that growth to build a greater sense of pride, self-esteem and self-worth to make even more profound evolutions in your life.

(1) Make your bed every morning.
It may seem like a small thing, but the simple task of straightening your sheets and plumping your bed pillows can actually set you up for a more productive day. You’ll start your day with a sense of accomplishment, and even start to crave more organization in other parts of your life.

(2) Create a vision board. 
You may daydream about the life you’d like to have and the job that you’d like to have one day, but if you don’t have a daily reminder of your goals, it’s all too easy to get distracted and forget them. By creating a visual representation of what you are seeking, you are much more likely to pursue those passions and objectives.

(3) Set a goal to learn one new thing each week. 
If you’re in the process of making big changes in your life, it is all too easy to get overwhelmed. That’s why it’s important to start small. Consider trying a different fitness class at your gym or try a new recipe that supports your goals of heathy eating.

Transitioning from Addiction to Recovery Can Start Today

Our Rise Up Program was created for women seeking additional care after primary treatment. If you are graduating from a stabilization program and realize you need more help, then this program is for you. Rise Up will help you establish your goals for the next 90 days for your sobriety and build on the healthy habits you’ve already begun. To learn more about Rising Roads Recovery, call today: (866) 746-1558.