Set Yourself Up for Success: 3 Tips to Cut the Clutter in the New Year!

Part of the journey from addiction to recovery is getting rid of the things that don’t serve you well. In part, it’s about saying goodbye to the destructive behaviors and negative influences standing in the way of your newly sober (and much happier!) lifestyle.

If you’re starting a new life of sobriety, it’s also a great time to think about de-cluttering other parts of your life to help you focus on your sobriety and the things (and especially the people) that are truly important to you.

With the New Year just a few days away, why not carve out some time to think about streamlining your life and your priorities for 2017? Here are a few ideas for getting rid of the noise to set yourself up for a successful, sober, organized and happy year!

(1) Go green! 

If you aren’t recycling already, it’s never too late to get started. Most metropolitan areas offer a curbside recycling program. In most areas, all you need is a designated recycling bin to participate. If you don’t have one already, contact your city's waste management department for more information.

(2) Donate clothes that you haven’t worn in a year. 

Do you have a few sweaters hanging up in your closet that haven’t seen the light of day in a while? If so, you might consider donating clothes that you don’t regularly wear to a non-profit organization in your community. You’ll enjoy the extra space in your home while also helping neighbors in need.

(3) Create a cleaning schedule. 

You may not realize it, but letting the laundry pile up can cause you anxiety subconsciously. To help give you peace of mind to focus on your sobriety, consider mapping out a regular cleaning schedule. Hang up a whiteboard that outlines what you need to do each week and write down the day of the week you plan to accomplish each task. This way, you’ll stay on track and enjoy a clutter-free living space!

Transitional Living for Women

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 can help you establish your goals for the next 90 days for your sobriety and beyond. To find out more about Rising Road Recovery’s transitional living program for women, call today: (866) 746-1558.

3 Reasons Why Doctors Should Prescribe a Daily Dose of Gratitude

Instinctively, you know that being grateful for what you have just feels right. When you think about how fortunate you are, you’re more apt have a brighter outlook, be more productive at work and have more energy throughout the day.

And, for those pursuing a new life free from addiction – the benefits are much more profound. Filling your heart with gratitude can reduce your risk of relapse too. But, did you know that the benefits of practicing gratitude can go much deeper than that? Multiple scientific studies have proven that it can do wonders for your health overall.

In addition to helping you walk towards a life of sobriety, practicing gratitude on a regular basis can help boost your emotional, psychological and physical health too.

If you need a bit of encouragement to start making more time for gratitude in your routine, here are three reasons to help you get inspired and give it a try!

(1) You’ll feel better about yourself. 
It’s a fact. We could all benefit from a boost in self-esteem from time to time. And, gratitude can help you do just that. In fact, in a 2014 study that appeared in the Journal of Applied Sport Psychology, athletes who practiced gratitude on a regular basis reported higher levels of self-esteem.

(2) Your heart will thank you.
Literally. In recent study, researchers compared the rates of heart damage among two groups of adults – those that practiced gratitude frequently and another cohort that didn’t. They found that heart damage was substantially lower among those with higher levels of gratitude. That same group also reaped even more health benefits including more positive moods, less inflammation and better quality sleep.

(3) You’re more likely to make heathy choices at the dinner table. 
You might be surprised to know that the simple act of giving thanks also correlates to better nutrition. One study actually found that people who keep gratitude journals have reduced dietary fat intakes up to 25 percent lower than those who do not.

Practicing gratitude on a regular basis can help improve your quality of life in lots of ways and it doesn’t have to be complicated. Grab a notebook, find a quiet spot and write down a few things (and people!) you are thankful for today.

Reduce Your Risk of Relapse by Learning New Life Skills

Rising Roads Recovery wants to help you educate yourself on your very own patterns. Addiction is a chronic disease and a previous relapse does not mean failure – nor is relapse necessary for long-term recovery. Just like everyone’s recovery plan looks different, so does everyone’s relapse avoidance plan. You have a unique history that needs to be accounted for in your plan. And we’re here to help; we’re here to plan, support, and love. To learn more, call today: (866) 746-1558.

4 Ways to Get More Confident About Cooking and Love Being in the Kitchen!

One surprising side-effect of sobriety? More trips to the grocery store.

If you’re on the path to recovery, you’ll likely start craving whole foods instead of the #3 combo meal. So, why the change in appetite? Your hunger for healthier fare, packed with vitamins and nutrients, is likely a signal that your body needs to repair itself and flush the toxins that have been built up in your system.

Are you working to quit the behaviors of addiction and a dependency on drugs or alcohol? Cooking at home can help you do just that – and in a lot of different ways. The simple act of preparing a meal can help you build self-esteem and a greater sense of independence. And, you’ll become more conscious of what you’re putting in your body.

But, if your cooking chops are a little rusty, you can learn new recipes and culinary skills at any age. With practice and a little coaching, you can make your kitchen an extension of your addiction recovery plan.

Here are 4 Ways to Boost Your Confidence in the Kitchen 

(1) Shop around the perimeter of the grocery store.
To get started, keep it simple and start with healthy ingredients. Most grocery stores stock processed foods in the center aisles. Stick to the outer areas of the store where you can find fresh produce, meat, fish and dairy items.

(2) Make it a social event.
If you’re interested in learning how to cook, chances are, your friends are too. Ask your friends to help you host an interactive dinner party where you pick a healthy recipe to make (and enjoy) together as a group.

(3) Start with just a few ingredients. 
When you’re starting a new habit, like cooking, it’s always smart to start small. To avoid getting overwhelmed, look for recipes that have just a handful of ingredients. That way, you’ll have less prep work, measuring and cleanup in the kitchen.

(4) Get inspired! 
Cooking should be more than just a chore. It can grow into a fulfilling hobby and a source of pride. To get started, you first need to get inspired. There are a lot of great (and free!) websites that not only offer step-by-step recipes, but also include fantastic photos of the finished product. By taking the time to research new recipes online, you can find new motivation to get in the kitchen.

Cooking Classes and Nutritional Guidance 

As part of our holistic approach to addiction rehab, we offer weekly nutrition courses, in addition to shopping preparation and cooking classes. At Rising Roads Recovery, we aim to fix old patterns and replace them with a healthy relationship with food. If the client feels they need additional help from our Registered Dietician, additional support will be arranged. Reach out today by calling us at (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.