Let me start off by saying that there are many ways to get and stay sober. But today we are only going to discuss 5 simple little techniques.
Staying sober can be a challenging yet rewarding journey for many individuals. Whether you are newly in recovery or have been sober for an extended period, it’s essential to have a plan in place to maintain your sobriety. By implementing certain strategies and making positive lifestyle changes, you can increase your chances of staying sober and living a fulfilling, substance-free life. Here are some tips to help you on your path to sobriety.
Distraction
- Reading
Reading can be a wonderful distraction and a healthy way to occupy your mind. When you immerse yourself in a good book, you can temporarily escape from any negative thoughts or cravings.
Whether it’s fiction, non-fiction, self-help, or poetry, reading can transport you to different worlds, inspire new ideas, and provide a sense of calm. Consider finding a book that truly captivates your interest and allows you to focus your attention on something positive and enriching.
- Watching a movie
Watching a movie can be a great way to distract yourself and relax. It allows you to immerse yourself in a story and temporarily escape from anything negative. Whether it’s a comedy, drama, action, or documentary, choosing a film that you enjoy can provide a welcome break and help shift your focus.
Selecting a movie that resonates with your interests and allows you to get lost in the storyline, characters, and visuals is key. Remember to create a comfortable and cozy environment to enhance your viewing experience.
- Learn something new
Learning something new can be a fantastic distraction and a productive way to focus your mind. Whether it’s picking up a new hobby, delving into a subject you’ve always been curious about, or learning a new skill, engaging in the process of acquiring knowledge can be both stimulating and fulfilling.
Consider exploring online courses, tutorials, or books on topics that intrigue you. By immersing yourself in a new learning experience, you can redirect your thoughts and energy toward something positive and enriching.
Accountability
- Friend Or Sponsor
I have found that getting a sponsor is one of the most difficult things to do. But it has been one of the greatest tools to my recovery. Having that one person to share your recovery and day to day stressors with. It’s right up there with getting professional help.
- Group Or Church
Finding a church or going to meetings can also be great tools for accountability and honesty. Going to a meeting a day is a great way to distract yourself. Because I have 3 small children I still do most everything online but I do miss the face to face. Having a coffee while sitting with friendly faces.
- Apps Known to help
I’m an android user so I don’t know about the other phones but for android googe play has tons of helpful recovery apps. The everything aa app, spiritual toolkit app,CR for celebrate recovery app are some of my favorites.
Managing Stress
- What to do with your anger
Resentment and anger are tools for trouble and a great way to relapse is what I have found. When I am angry I am not focused on my recovery and alcahol and addiction are tricky. They are looking for a way to trick me into believing I can safely drink or use. It is a lie and when I am angry I don’t see it for what it is. A lie.
When dealing with anger, it can be helpful to find healthy ways to manage and express it. Some strategies include:
- Deep breathing or meditation to calm the mind and body.
- Engaging in physical activity or exercise to release pent-up energy.
- Talking to a trusted friend or therapist to gain perspective and support.
- Writing in a journal to process and understand the source of anger.
- Taking a time-out to step away from the situation until emotions have cooled down.
- Finding creative outlets such as painting, music, or crafting to channel emotions.
It’s important to find strategies that work best for you and to seek professional help if anger becomes overwhelming or difficult to manage.
Outside Help
When dealing with any type of trauma it is a good idea to get some outside help. We should never be made to feel bad about needing a little extra help. Our minds are often compared to machines because of the awsome capabilities. So why shouldn’t we get a tune up when something stopped working right?
It’s important to seek outside help for managing anger if you find that it significantly impacts your daily life, relationships, or well-being. Consider reaching out for professional assistance if:
- Your anger leads to physical or verbal aggression towards yourself or others.
- You struggle to control or manage your anger, leading to frequent outbursts.
- Anger interferes with your work, relationships, or daily functioning.
- You experience persistent feelings of intense anger, irritability, or resentment.
- You have a history of trauma or abuse that contributes to your anger.
- Your anger is accompanied by other mental health concerns such as depression or anxiety.
Seeking the support of a therapist, counselor, or mental health professional can provide valuable guidance and tools for effectively managing and understanding your anger.
Importance of steps 4-9
Step 4.Made a searching and fearless moral inventory. So who are we mad at and why. This is where we put down every little thing that’s bugging us. Writing it all down is therapy in itself. I do a reading of the steps on my Facebook page.
Step5. Admitted to God,ourselves and someoene else the exact nature of our wrongs. Told someone why we are mad. Everything we wrote down we are now suppose to share that with a trusted tight lipped friend or preacher. Someone you can feel confident in. If you cant find one go to a meeting.
Step 6. Entirely ready to have God remove our defects.
Step 7 Asked him to remove our defects Or our anger.
Step 8. Made a list of those I wronged or trauma that needs dealing with. This is where you turn the list from step 4 into this. Go back over your step 4 and 5 the list left from that should be your amends or more writing list. Sometimes the amends is to self. So that would be the writing list!
Step 9 Made amends except when to do so would cause more trauma. These are not all exactly right but my interpretation and how I use them in this area. And this is what I hear from others in the rooms longer than me!
Steps to removing anger. Sometimes it works and sometimes it just requires more work.
Exercise
- Can help to regulate your emotions
Exercise can regulate emotion by triggering the release of endorphins, which are natural mood elevators. Additionally, physical activity can reduce levels of stress hormones such as cortisol and increase the production of neurotransmitters like serotonin, which can help improve mood.
Exercise also provides a healthy outlet for releasing pent-up energy and tension, promoting relaxation and a sense of well-being. Finally, engaging in regular exercise can boost self-esteem and confidence, leading to a more positive emotional state.