Advice in recovery (lifestyle changes)

[Ethann88]

Hey everyone, what are your best advices in early recovery that helps the process?

Of course there is going to meetings, getting a sponsor, service, home group, working the steps, etc. Which I already do. I could do more meetings though as I only do 1-2 per week. That’s a goal of mine.

I think for me I will try to run as I enjoy it and it is beneficial for my health. It makes me feel better. I wanna add lifting weights too. (physical exercise)

I know eating healthy is good too. I’m very addicted to sugar and I do want to quit it at some point but if I try to quit everything at once it will backfire. I think I will try to reduce a bit sugar but not cut it off completely while also eating healthy food. That way it’s less worse than just sugar and eating junk food. I also want to try and eat 3 meals a day as I often skip meals and ADHD don’t help with that. Even if it’s a small meal, it’s better than nothing. Appetite is low but I’ll keep trying.

(nutrition)

Sleep, well this one is crucial and I can only do so much. I drink herbal tea before sleep. I put 5 tea bags per cup. It does help me and it prevents me from being psychotic from not sleeping. It also helps with cravings. I used to feel bad for doing that, I wasn’t sure if that counted as a relapse but I think it helps me so Imma keep using it until sleep is stable. I’m also using melatonin. (sleep)

Im trying to spend time in nature also as I know this helps my mood, my ADHD and my anxiety. I don’t do it everyday but I aim too so I’ll keep trying. For me it’s taking walks in nature. It’s actually a way of meditating. (nature)

I wanna try and get out of my comfort zone little by little as when I try it becomes easier the next time. For me that’s smiling to a stranger, going outside when I feel socially anxious, calling someone, etc.

I’m trying to quit porn also which is hard. I feel very embarrassed about this one as it’s something I hate talking about but I wanted to be honest as honesty, willingness and open-mindedness are key principles in recovery. I might try to reduce usage at first as quitting everything at once will backfire. Someone told me to just focus on not using for now. I agree but I also wanna do the work on myself because maybe it will help not use too. When did yall start working the steps, etc?

Finally, trying to reach out to people, to support others as in giving back I also help myself. Connecting with others, with God, with my sponsor. Maybe just a call, etc. This is funny enough a hard part

Somedays it’s easy, some days it’s hard.

I can only keep trying. If I quit, well what do I gain from quitting. Perseverance all the way!!

This time I’m tryna do things different and change things a bit from what didn’t work. Madness is doing things the same and expecting different changes. For me, I will try to do 15-30mins of exercise as when I try to go full in 1h everyday from the motivation, it’s not sustainable.

If anyone has any other advice, let me know. I really wanna get better. I know there’s hope.

Just for today I won’t use

[Hazy]

Well done. Take action on the things you are trying. Instead of ‘trying’ you are ‘doing’. Keep doing what you’re doing. One step, one breath, one day at a time

[Ray_M_C_Laren]

Have you tried service work that will help, exercise was a big part of my recovery gym ,walking, squash ,golf ,swimming, i drink herbal tea mostly peppermint for my ibs problem

[Misokatsu]

There are lots of great ideas there. I would only say recovery is a marathon not a sprint. You do not have to do all of those very worthy things at once. It may actually hinder you if you try to do too much at once, as you note yourself.

For me the first year was focusing on not drinking. I also went to one or two meetings a week, but read the big book (or listened to a podcast etc) daily, and did the steps pretty much straight away, it took about 8 months to “finish” (the last couple of steps are ongoing).

The next year I focused on my next goal (for me binge eating) and the next year my next goal (weight loss and general fitness). I think a year to focus on one goal is about right, there is room for individual differences, but I know others that have said similar.

[Ethann88]

Yes I animate my home group meeting. I relapsed recently so I gotta wait until I’m back at 1 month. I also help set up the meetings and close too. It has definitely helped me a lot!