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. 

The (Not So Secret) Art of Forging New Friendships

If you’re traveling the road from addition to recovery, you’ve likely weathered many emotional storms along the way. Bouts of self-doubt, anxiety and depression may have riddled your past – likely serving as addiction triggers where you turned to drugs or alcohol to push down uncomfortable thoughts and feelings.

Though, it doesn’t have to be that way. You don’t have to wake up with a hangover the morning after a stressful day or worry about failing a drug test at work. No matter where you are on your journey, you can learn to navigate life and discover healthy coping mechanisms to avoid turning to negative and destructive behaviors.

You may be surprised to learn that having a solid, supportive social network is actually one of the most powerful tools to boost your physical and mental well-being and reduce your risk of relapse. Research has shown that individuals with strong social relationships are less likely to die prematurely, experience less stress and report a greater quality of life.

And, it’s never too late in life to invest in growing your friend group – especially if you are working towards creating a new life – one free from addiction. If you’re interested in protecting your sobriety and searching for a more meaningful life – consider making your social networks more of a priority.

Here are a few tips to get started.

(1) Create a social routine. Most friendships are forged by consistently spending time within social networks. So, for new friendships to form, try joining some groups or clubs in your community that meet on a regular basis. That way, you’ll have the opportunity to get to know like-minded people and learn more about them over time.

(2) Invite “friends of friends” to hang out. Planning a dinner party or rounding up the crew for a Saturday morning yoga class? One of the best ways to meet new people is actually by extending your existing social networks.

(3) Volunteer for a cause you love. One way to meet people in your neighborhood and your community is by donating your time to a worthy cause. By working side-by-side cleaning up a community garden, fundraising for a local nonprofit or helping dogs and cats find a “forever home”, you’ll have the opportunity to meet new people who share the same interests and passions.

Learn More About Transitional Living 

At Rising Roads Recovery, we can help you find sobriety and learn new life skills to create a vibrant, fulfilling life – one that includes profoundly meaningful relationships with friends and family. We are here to help; we are here to plan, support, and love. To find out more about Rising Road Recovery’s transitional living program for women, call today: (866) 746-1558.