Recovery is part of the healing process and often times requires individuals to adjust their schedules and establish a routine in order to have success during this stage. The structure that a routine provides helps those in recovery to maintain normalcy and make a smooth transition back to their work, family, and home life.
A routine during this time can include everything from personal care such as sleep, exercise, and diet, to establishing a work and social schedule. Here are some tips to follow during recovery.
Create a Structure at Home:
While in recovery it is important to designate times to wake up and go to bed. Having a structured sleep schedule will allow you to feel well rested which is crucial during this time, and it will help to prevent you from returning to old habits.
In addition to establishing a routine for rest, carve out time for personal care, exercise, cleaning up around the house, doing laundry, and paying bills. If you are in recovery without a routine these tasks may seem daunting and unachievable. However, if you have a schedule established and tackle one task every day, your household workload will seem more manageable.
Maintain a Social Calendar:
It is extremely important to spend time around positive influences while in recovery. These people can provide support and prevent you from spending time with negative influences that may have been a factor in your previous behaviors.
Consider creating a social calendar and schedule time to spend with family and friends during the first few weeks of recovery. By designating a few hours each week to talk with family and friends and discuss any troubles or feelings that you are having in recovery you will feel the support of those around you. Having a positive support system in place is critical during this time.
In addition to this, if you have made new friends during treatment consider spending time with these individuals. This will ensure your weekends do not consist of spending time with negative influences that were a part of your life before sobriety.
Establish a Work Routine:
Establishing a work routine will differ depending on whether you have a job or are currently seeking employment. If you do not currently have a full time job this is the time to think about your work interests and where to apply. If you do have a full time job consider taking a week or two off if possible to establish a routine before returning to work full time. This will provide you with an opportunity to regroup and adjust your schedule before getting settled back into work and will help to alleviate any pressure during this transition.
Consider Attending Support Group Meetings:
One of the most important elements of recovery is becoming part of a support group that can be a resource during this time. These likeminded individuals will help you to talk out any struggles you may be going through and will provide support during your transition. In addition to this, spending time in a supportive environment will create an opportunity to make friends with similar interests.
The transition to recovery does not have to be difficult. Make sure to establish stability in your home life, personal life, and work life during this time for optimal success.
