If you’re in recovery, the holiday season might be especially challenging for you. The period from Halloween to New Year’s Eve can be a tumultuous time, and many people use these holidays as an excuse to overindulge in unhealthy foods and behave recklessly at parties. Now that you’re concentrating on maintaining a substance-free lifestyle, your sobriety needs to remain a top priority, even during the holidays. What can you do to stay clean and sober, and avoid undoing all your hard work?
1. Limit Time With Unsupportive People
We all love our families, but some relatives can be more triggering than others. Family get-togethers might test your patience and your commitment to recovery. Perhaps your grandparents are overly critical of your career choices, or your Uncle Ted keeps pushing you to try his homemade spiked eggnog. To make matters worse, you might have strained relationships left over from things you did or said in the grip of active addiction.
This type of stress can break down even the most resolute determination. Instead, surround yourself with people who understand your goals and understand your need to stay on the right path – even if these are your “family of choice” instead of blood relatives.
2. Make Smart Nutritional Choices
For many people, the holidays are synonymous with feasting on sugary desserts and high-calorie meals. Instead of eating with the goal of sampling everything or going back for seconds, be mindful about what you put on your plate. Your nutritional goals shouldn’t take a backseat during the holiday season. Choose foods that support your recovery by making you feel good about yourself and giving you more energy.
3. Focus on the Spirit of the Season
Regardless of whether your traditions are religious or secular, don’t lose sight of the fact that the holidays should be about joy and gratefulness, not frantically shopping for expensive gifts. When you focus on the things you have to be grateful for and put all the rest aside, you can have a delightful, memorable holiday season without spending a single penny.
4. Plan Activities That Don’t Involve Drinking
Despite how much you’ve changed in recovery, many people in your life will still be following the same patterns and traditions. To avoid conflict with friends or family who associate the holidays with heavy drinking, investigate other options you can suggest instead. Ice skating and walks around the neighborhood can be fun and let you sneak in a workout. If the weather is too cold to go out, start a roaring fire in the fireplace and challenge everyone to a holiday baking contest or a game of cards.
Change Your Habits – and Your Life
If you have an out-of-control drinking or drug problem, you can find your solution at Canyon Crossing Recovery. We teach women to handle life’s challenges gracefully, without relying on alcohol and drugs. To learn more about our women’s-only addiction programming, please contact us today.
