12 Tips And Advice To Maintain Good Mental Health Through Addiction Recovery

According to research, addiction and mental health show a direct correlation. It isn’t uncommon for somebody suffering from psychiatric conditions, such as bipolar disorder, anxiety, schizophrenia, anxiety, and other mental health conditions, to experience substance abuse problems.

Addictive behaviors or substance abuse are frequently used as a coping mechanism for psychiatric conditions, but such conditions may also result from the addiction itself. Maintaining good mental health through addiction recovery may help create a clear path towards full recovery.

Along with the help of recovery centers, such as Jackson House Addiction Treatment & Recovery Centers, your efforts are needed to maintain good mental health. If you don’t know where to get started, make sure to keep the following tips and advice to achieve good mental health:

1. Find A Support Group

When you’re struggling with your mental health, the first people you turn to are your family and friends. However, people in your life may struggle to relate, or they could be more focused on providing advice than hearing what you need to say.

It could be more beneficial to find a support group that consists of people dealing with the same problems. Such issues may include medical issues, addiction, and other life situations. Together, group members can strengthen and support one another as they learn to cope with life’s challenges and solve problems.

How support groups work may vary. Most rely on self-disclosure, where participants share information or stories about their behaviors, thoughts, and emotions. But people are welcome to share as much or as little as they like.

Self-disclosure can be beneficial for people who want to maintain good mental health through addiction recovery. It may remind them that they’re not alone and can flourish and persevere despite challenging times.

At present, there are several kinds of support groups. While others are independent, some are affiliated with a more prominent organization. Groups sometimes meet out in the community or at locations like community centers.

2. Exercise Regularly

Exercising can help release more endorphins in your body. These naturally-occurring chemicals in your body are essential for emotion regulation. Being active may also help you not fixate on anxiety-provoking thoughts and release nervous energy.

Even if you feel like you can’t get out of bed,  staying fit is crucial during addiction recovery. You can get plenty of physical activity by going to the gym. You can also take up brisk walking or running.

You don’t have to train like an athlete. You can start small, like hiking with your friend and getting fresh air every morning. Once you exercise regularly, it won’t only reduce your stress, but it may also help with your sleep and boost your self-esteem while minimizing your feelings of anxiety or depression.

3. Focus On The Present

When you’re focusing on the present, you’re not concentrating on the mistakes or regrets you were dealing with when you first entered treatment. Instead, you show gratitude and forgiveness for how far you’ve come in your addiction recovery journey. Doing this can help you deal with the recovery more effectively and become happier.

4. Create A Consistent Routine

Another way to maintain good mental health through addiction recovery is to have a consistent routine. It makes it easier to prioritize what’s crucial to you in your daily life and may also help you plan for the future.

Your routine may include anything you prefer. For example, you can start by setting your clothes before bedtime or preparing your meals for the week. Remember not to rush yourself, especially if you’re not used to having a routine. By taking it slow and keeping it consistent, you’ll be able to stick with your regimen and allow you to alleviate the anxiety you’re feeling.

5. Maintain A Healthy Lifestyle

It may sound like a no-brainer when most people grow up hearing similar advice from their parents. However, it can be hard to put into practice, mainly if you often deal with daily stressors.

As you recover from addiction, an excellent way to maintain a healthy lifestyle for better mental health may include a good night’s sleep and eating a healthy balanced diet. Particular nutrient deficiencies like thiamine may affect your energy levels and mood, which are the primary indicators of mental health. In fact, a diet high in carbohydrates and empty sugars may increase the risk of depression.

On the contrary, a healthy balanced diet that includes whole grains, lean sources of protein, healthy fats, fruits and vegetables, and low-fat dairy products is best for the body and mind. Having enough sleep may also improve your mental health as you can feel recharged and fully rested.

6. Practice Mindfulness

Once you accept your situation and make a conscious effort to recognize it, you’re practicing mindfulness. Accepting your feelings and letting yourself experience them without judgment will let you fully embrace addiction recovery while improving your mental health.

7. Get A Hobby

Although it’s not easy to find free time daily, your precious hours where you’re disengaged from your typical obligations may provide you an opportunity to indulge in various activities you enjoy. If you want to maintain good health through addiction recovery, don’t forget to get a hobby.

Having any hobby will not only let you do something fun, but it will also give you more energy and time for something that ignites your passions and brings you joy. There are countless reasons to get a hobby. For people undergoing addiction recovery, it can benefit their mental health.

One of the reasons hobbies are best for your mental health is that they offer an exceptional engagement level. Hobbies may come in all shapes and sizes. They can be physical, creative, academic, or relaxing.

If you don’t know what hobbies to consider, here are some of your options:

• Music

Listening to music may help reduce stress and ease anxiety. It may also bring forth positive emotions and happy memories. Other than listening to music, you can achieve a sense of enjoyment and accomplishment from learning to play instruments.

Music schools or workshops offer classes for different instruments. You may consider looking for a musical instrument you may enjoy and learn how to play it. Once you’ve learned to play them, it can be beneficial for your mental health and may provide you with a fulfilling experience.

• Reading

It’s a relaxing activity that could take your mind off of the stress in your life and may transport you to another world through your imagination. So, visit the nearest bookstore or library in your area to find a book that may interest you. You can also join a book club and attend events related to reading.

• Painting

It’s a relaxing activity that enables you to release emotions on a canvas and get creative. You may feel a sense of accomplishment once you complete a piece of art. You don’t need to be a professional to enjoy painting.

Often, painting may include canvas painting or pottery painting. Depending on your preferences, you can also try take-home projects or participate in fun workshops.

• Fishing

Regardless of where you live, you can consider fishing as your hobby. It can be good for your mental health because it allows you to relax. The reason behind it is that being outdoors may help reduce anxiety and stress, as the anticipation of catching your next fish can be an exciting experience.

Fishing is also a good activity you can spend with your family or friends. However, it often requires skills to achieve success. When you learn the skills for fishing and overcome the challenges as you get started, you may feel a sense of accomplishment.

• Gardening

Being exposed to plants and nature through gardening can benefit your mental health. You can enjoy the outdoors while appreciating the beauty of plants.

If you have a big backyard, you can create your own garden and plant anything you want. For example, you can start with taking care of succulents or house plants. If you don’t fancy creating a garden, you can visit botanical gardens instead.

The primary difference between doing something fun and doing a hobby is your engagement level. Watching your favorite TV series is enjoyable, but this activity may not feed your need for purpose or meaning.

Engage yourself in something you’re passionate about or love to do makes it more meaningful. Besides, it gives you time, for those in addiction recovery, where you can focus on something more beneficial other than thinking of the substance you were once addicted to.

8. Practice Self-Care

Generally, self-care means making time to ensure that you’re treating yourself well. It may include allocating time to get a massage or play your favorite sport.

Unfortunately, not all prioritize self-care due to time constraints, and others neglect doing so because of financial limitations. However, some self-care activities don’t cost money. So, make sure to set aside time daily to take care of yourself and do your best to include it in your routine.

If you feel overwhelmed, take a break and practice deep breathing exercises. You may even try meditating or spending the night to yourself to relax while watching movies. This way, you’ll be more energized to do your activities the next day and help others.

9. Reconnect With Your Family And Friends

Another tip for maintaining good mental health through addiction recovery is prioritizing meaningful and positive connections with your family and friends. If you have strained relationships with some people, consider reconnecting with them.

Addiction may change the way your brain functions and make you not like your real self. Therefore, it’s likely that one or more of your relationships may have suffered because of it. When you feel you’re in a good place, reach out to people so you can restore such cherished connections.

You can have connections with different types of people. Aside from your family or friends, you can build a relationship with your neighbors or recovery groups. Good mental health often involves meaningful or positive relationships that may open you up to a purpose, allowing you to feel acceptance and love.

10. Let Yourself Smile And Laugh

Laughter releases endorphins, serotonin, and dopamine, which are the chemicals that help in regulating your mood. It also lowers the levels of cortisol, a stress-inducing hormone.

Practicing smiling can release endorphins and have positive effects on your immune system. It’s amazing what your bodies can do for you when you let yourself smile and laugh.

Moreover, happiness is contagious, and many people feel satisfied when they make their friends or loved ones happy. Watching funny movies or comedy specials is an excellent way to laugh and relax at home. You can also opt for comical books filled with jokes if you prefer reading. Doing this enables you to cope better through your recovery.

11. Have A Daily Journal

Taking notes of your feelings is the best way to discover your triggers and monitor your symptoms. You might notice patterns in your behavior or thinking that may have gone unnoticed. It’s also a great form of self-expression.

In addition, having a daily record may help you lessen the symptoms of stress, anxiety, and depression, allowing you to manage your mental health. It may also let you take a step back, keep your thoughts organized, and process your emotions.

Besides, keeping track of how you feel every day is informative and helpful for your mental health provider; this is especially true if you don’t communicate with them on a daily basis.

12. Learn To Forgive Yourself

If you’re trying to improve your mental health through addiction recovery, it’s essential to learn to forgive yourself. Everybody makes mistakes, and it’s not always your fault. However, when you’re struggling, it’s easy to be self-deprecating.

Keep in mind that there’s always room for change and positive growth. You only need to love yourself and focus on the present.

Unless you can go back in time, you can do nothing about what has occurred. Remember, it’s wiser to spend your time and energy staying grounded in the present. It can help you achieve a more productive, happier, and healthier life.

Conclusion

Maintaining good mental health through addiction recovery is never easy. It’s even more challenging for people who don’t know where to get started. Luckily, the above tips and advice can make a difference in your journey to being mentally healthy. Remember that working with professionals and having support groups can help you get the best results.