How to Stay Healthier in the Colder Months and Keep Recovery on Track

Staying healthy in recovery may seem like a difficult task. It is challenging to think about staying healthy when recovery keeps you busy enough, going to meetings, and keeping up with sobriety goals. A key thing to remember in recovery is that overall health matters to your state of mind and physical health, as well. The better you feel, the better the recovery will feel. Getting sick is no fun but there are some tricks to staying on the healthy track as colder months approach that may support overall wellness. 

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How to Find the Right Sober Living Space for Your Recovery

Going to sober living is a not an easy choice. It means finding the right living space for recovery that is going to help you feel like you are making progress. Some people go because they don’t feel safe returning home yet, while others simply want to continue growing in recovery and build their sobriety tools for the journey. Learning to maintain this lifestyle takes time. Not all sober living homes offer the same thing or the same process. Learn some tips for how to find the right sober living space that is right for your journey into recovery.

Sober Living

When people look into sober living, they are considering a post-treatment housing option which includes living with individuals who have finished their treatment program and want to live in a drug-free environment. Most sober living places require rent, chores, shared responsibility for meals, and participation in daily activities around the house. Like any household, things need to get done and you will be responsible for your share. This is how they teach living skills that support life outside of addiction rehab. For most people, this is a great step between rehab and real life on the outside. People who spend time in sober living may also build close bonds with others and begin to develop relationships for the journey of recovery.

What to Look For

There are many things to look for in transitional housing environments. If you are not sure what is offered, look for some of the following as it is likely similar to many places but is worth asking about how things are run:

  • Structure: sober living is all about providing space to learn how to live without substances in the real world. From rehab where daily life is planned, sober living provides some freedom of movement to minimize stress and provide space to balance independence. You will be on your own to navigate life in recovery so there will be a balance of finding structure and support with giving you freedom
  • Zero Tolerance: there will be no tolerance for substances of any kind in sober living. Even if you think you can have a drink because your treatment was for another drug, other people need to be respected in recovery. To keep a safe environment for everyone, all residents must be held accountable for their behavior. All sober living homes have a strict no drug or alcohol policy and may remove you if you violate the policy for the safety of all residents. There is also accountability required for attendance at house meetings, meeting curfews, and attending any other support group meetings as required
  • Chores and maintenance: in a regular home, you will be required to handle daily affairs of living like taking care of a household. Learning those skills in sober living is important to the journey of healing. Some things to look for include knowing the noise rules and regulations, understanding other people’s need for space, keeping common areas clean, and looking to see if the neighborhood feel safe for you to live without feeling triggered when you go outside the house
  • Cost: cost is always a factor when considering housing after treatment. When researching houses, it helps to look at how rent is determined, how much help you get finding work if needed, any security deposit required, and what forms of payment are accepted

There are many factors to consider when looking into sober living. The main thing is to remember that your sobriety comes first. If you feel safer in transitional housing, look for your options and consider how it might help you navigate recovery better when you have support starting with post-rehab options.

A Step in the Right Direction provides upscale sober living homes for men and women. We provide a tranquil living environment that provides a strong foundation for recovery. Those in sober living will participate in the transitional program and receive assistance that help you practice life in recovery once you leave. For more information sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call (877) 377-3702.

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Yes, You Can Find Time Every Day for Meditation

The biggest challenge of learning a new skill like meditation is learning to fit it into your routine. Most everyone has days when it is hard to shower, let alone set aside time for quiet. The focus of a meditation practice is to find time each day that supports your journey forward. Make a commitment to follow these simple steps each day.

What to Do

A good meditation practice does not stop with a timer. Once it stops, it takes a few moments to come into presence. Stress and routine re-emerge and you have to get back to life again. A transformative process enriches your life and the lives of those around you. To get started, you need a good plan.

How it Works

Adding a reminder or mini practice each day helps you maintain some of the benefits of meditation each day. Using some simple techniques, you’ll be able to work your meditation practice into daily activities for lasting calm and focus.

  • Walking meditation: take a walk and link breathing to your steps. Slow walking meditation practice can be powerful. Take a breath with every two or three steps as you wander
  • Exercise meditation: focus mental energy on your body. Picture the push and pull of muscles and feel how you adjust your movements. Try out an exercise program that is rooted in breath and mindfulness
  • Two breaths: taking two simple, mindful breaths and can engage your meditative state at any point. Take two breaths before making a call, answering an email or starting your car
  • Sound cue: choose a sound and take two breaths every time you hear it. Choose a sound for your setting and incorporate a five-second pause in thinking when you hear a phone ring
  • Transitions: times when you move from one thing to another are key. Coming home from work is a transition from your work self home self. Going to meetings is different than going home. Think of lunchtimes as a good space to create room for breath and meditation. Pick a few transitions everyday and create a meditative pause

Make a commitment to the practice. Don’t give up your daily routine. Just amend it to work for you. Start with 5 minutes and keep it there until you are ready to try longer or make a routine that works for you. Just don’t go too fast or make it too long at first. You will find a way to do it if you keep practicing.

A Step in the Right Direction provides quality care for clients seeking support for addiction recovery. We teach people how to live a sober life through programs, therapeutic support, and evidence-based therapies. Our recovery program is staffed by people who understand the power of addiction. For more information sober living programs for men and women as well as recovery programs, call (877) 377-3702.

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