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How Do I Find More Rest in Recovery?

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pet friendly sober living homes near me
Finding peace every day of recovery can feel like a daunting task. Now you are on the other side of addiction, it feels like you should be more at peace than you are in this moment. It can feel hard to know how to lean into rest in spaces that feel heavy, dark, or laborious. Recovery is a challenge in many ways but finding rest is key to working past the first weeks, months, even years in recovery from addiction.

Being Not Doing

One of the hardest invitations is the one to be, not do. An initial response to this might look something like denial. Denial there is a problem in resting, or denial that there is a need to rest now that you have so much to do in recovery. There may seem a mile-long to-do list waiting for you every day. The most important thing to focus on is your healing journey. Relaxation is revolutionary for most people because it means stopping work to focus on healing. When you embrace the concept of just being present to rest, you will have an easier time letting go of the to-do list and start making the journey towards rest.

Breakaway

When you get away from life for a time, it is a reminder of how much you needed that rest. Perhaps you are surrendering into the idea of a vacation, a staycation, or just restful moments throughout the day. Whatever it is, don’t hesitate to build in breakaway moments so you can find rest. Perhaps you opt to stay home for a few days on a weekend and soak up your own space for a time. Maybe it is delighting in a fun hobby you put on the back burner or a project you want to dive into. For people in recovery, it is crucial to take time to rest and recreate the wellness process you began when you quit using drugs. A vacation is not a break from life. It is a break for life. Framing time off in this way is empowering so that you can make healthy changes to your diet as a self-care practice.

Staycation

Not everybody can go to the beach or enjoy a holiday away. The following activities let you take personal time for yourself and schedule time just to rest:
  • Go into nature
  • Work with your hands
  • Try audio books or read a book
  • Check out some music
  • Do yoga at home in your own pace
  • Explore cultures, foods, or other things locally you don’t normally do
  • Get a massage
  • Canoe or kayak
  • Enjoy a quiet night in with a favorite movie
Sober vacations are also great ways to get away from home and remind yourself a break from daily life is good for the soul. It is best to travel with friends or people who respect your decision to be sober. There are vacation planners who will help you be surrounded by fellow travelers. Be prepared to improvise and plan well. The unexpected is part of the experience but so, too, should time of rest and relaxation. When you have time to rest, your body and mind have space to heal.

Steps in the Right Direction offers structured, gender-specific sober living in the San Fernando Valley, with pet-friendly homes for women in Northridge and men in Winnetka. For more information, call (818) 231-1400.

Looking for a safe, structured place to live while you rebuild? Steps in the Right Direction offers gender-specific sober living in the San Fernando Valley: Aura House for women in Northridge and Arminta House for men in Winnetka. Both homes are pet friendly. Call (818) 231-1400 or apply online.

Linda Butler, founder of Steps in the Right Direction

About the author: Linda Butler
Founder, Steps in the Right Direction

Linda Butler founded Steps in the Right Direction in the spring of 2000 and has spent more than 25 years helping women and men find lasting recovery through structured, pet-friendly sober living in the San Fernando Valley. Learn more about Linda.

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