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Eat, Play, Serve and 5 Five More New Year’s Resolutions to Give to Your Recovery

New Year’s resolutions are often easy to make and even easier to break. Research cited in Forbes found that roughly half of Americans make resolutions and only eight percent actually keep them.

It’s possible that this dynamic exists because we worry—or maybe secretly really believe—that a new good habit will make us miserable. So, for example—yes, one jean size smaller in theory would be grand, but that would also mean fewer trips to the Dairy Queen translating to lower decibels of happiness. “Dieting and cutting the carbs is misery,” we think (and often with good grounds).

On that note, I can assure you that the following New Year’s resolutions are worth giving to your recovery, because they really will improve your contentment and life satisfaction. If this list seems overwhelming—and it should be, since there are many great ways to give to your recovery—pick just one item on this list to give to your recovery in 2018; and then try your best to stick with it:

Recovery resolutions for your recovery.

Great ways to give to your recovery

  1. Eat well, as in three nutritious meals and 1-2 healthy snacks daily.
  2. Play: seek love and connection by having fun and spending good quality time with others.
  3. Serve: become a 12-step sponsor or find an outlet in which you can volunteer regularly, even if it is only a minimal weekly time commitment.
  4. Journal daily— about your goals, dreams, fears, hang-ups, or whatever is on your mind.
  5. Practice gratitude in the morning when you wake up or at bedtime. An easy way to do this is to identify just three things in the day for which you are thankful.
  6. Work with balance, by knowing when to shut the workday down. Set some clear boundaries between the office and home.
  7. Seek solitude: find regular opportunities to read, meditate and be in nature alone.
  8. Cultivate your spirituality, by praying, meditating, and seeking peace with your Higher Power.

What’s important to keep in mind with any of these new resolutions is that the benefits to your recovery will take time to develop. You probably won’t see them materialize overnight. A good rule of thumb, then, is to give a new habit adequate time to take root. If the habit is eating well, try to be consistent with this daily practice for at least one month. If your new habit is a once-weekly service commitment, it may take longer—maybe at least two months, for example—to evaluate whether the new habit is helping your recovery and improving your quality of life. With a little patience and self-discipline, though, I think you’ll find the familiar adage to be true: that “good things come to those who wait.”

The Freedom You’ve Been Waiting For

Whether you’re researching for yourself or a loved one, Beach House can help. We understand that this is a serious time in your life and that the treatment center you choose matters. We want you to feel comfortable and empowered to make the right decision for yourself, a friend, or a family member. This is why a counselor is waiting and available to answer your questions and help put your mind at ease regarding the next steps. Many of the staff at Beach House have walked in your shoes. If you feel you’re ready or want more information about how to help a loved one, we can help today. You can also learn why we are voted the #1 rehab for addiction treatment in Florida.