10 Helpful Tips to Master Sober Living
10 Helpful Tips to Master Sober Living
Some methods are better than others when it comes to staying sober. We're sharing 10 helpful tips to help you master sober living. Discover them here!
Keyword(s): sober living
Life has a way of throwing curveballs at the worse times.
We turn to the drink when we're at our low points. Drowning away our sorrows in hopes that we can forget and remove the pain.
It's bound to happen for a variety of reasons:
- A breakup
- Death in the family
- Loss of a job
- Boredom
These are all times we're vulnerable.
There's a stigma within our society that wants us to "man up". To grit our teeth and plow through the problems without addressing the real issues. To show face when we're at our darkest moments because "that's what you're supposed to do".
Forget all that.
Finding Control in Sober Living
Sober living places you in control.
It's a difficult movement forward when you're down. Yet, it creates clarity to deal with the situations without drowning the sorrows. Without wasting away the days in a stupor. Without exacerbating the situation because of the downing nature of the drink. It allows us to face our problems head-on.
I've seen alcohol take the best of people and grind them down to a mess. It's not pretty. Sometimes it's right under your nose yet we choose not to address the issue due to this "masculine" approach to handling our mental (and physical) problems.
Let me tell you how to go about keeping a sober living -- when you've finally decided to address the issue, detoxed, and now facing life without the crutch of the drink...
Mastering Your Sober Living
To each their own. You'll likely fail a few times when making the change to sober living. It happens. What matters is whether you stick to the plan. It'll be a challenge. These tips will help...
1. Build a support network
Reach out to family and friends. Reconnect with those you've pushed away due to your alcohol dependency.
Those connections are still there. People still love you.
It will be hard to ask for forgiveness but all the better. It forces you to commit to sober living. So that you don't hurt these people again. And if you can show this change then they will be there to help you during those low times.
2. Exercise
This one's simple: get active.
Exercise helps rewire the brain. It creates an excellent distraction. The "high" you get from a good workout will improve your mood. This all adds up as you increase your strength and stamina.
You'll feel good about yourself. You're building a new you!
3. Avoid tempting events (for a while)
Be okay with not attending the usual events for a while.
You need to take the time to readjust your life. Don't throw yourself into triggering situations when you're still fresh to sober living.
In due time you can attend these usual events without that crushing feeling that you need to drink to have fun.
4. Embrace mindfulness
Take time to take it all in.
Practice mindfulness. Allowing yourself to reflect and enjoy what you have and have accomplished. Learn to let go of the self-guilt. You have a lot going or you.
Drinking was a crutch. It was holding you back. Without it, you're able to do anything you set your sights on. Project your success and take it.
5. Creates goals (and milestones)
Goals provide a challenge.
Imagine what's possible if you're not spending money on alcohol. What's possible if you had that extra energy.
It's not hard. You can reinforce your actions by creating small (obtainable) milestones to reinforce the positivity.
6. Change the environment
A large reason why you're drinking is because of the environment. It could be a stressful job. Shaken family life. Spousal problems. Or that you enjoy going to the bar/club more than other, fun activities.
Change your environment.
Remove temptation from your home. Find new places to go. Avoid those that trigger the need to drink.
7. Find new friends
Making new friends as an adult is difficult... but not impossible.
It's hard to let go of friends but you have to make a decision. Will it be sober living or will you continue to party with those that are on a trajectory to hitting rock bottom?
New friends will create new experiences. It unlocks new outlets for your energy and dedication.
Try finding new people through work, friends of friends, using sites like Meetup.com, or buddying with a trusted fellowship in those you meet through support systems.
8. Practice a skill
Try something new. Take on a new skill.
These new skills will not only bring a positive activity to your daily routine but will show promise in your career and relationships. You have new topics to discuss. New activities to partake. A challenge to keep yourself distracted.
Before long -- these new skills will feel twice as rewarding as drinking.
9. Find a healthy addiction
Alcohol is an unhealthy addiction. Replace it with one that's healthy. It sounds odd swapping addictions but that's okay as long as whatever's replacing it is helpful to your mind, body, and soul.
Fall hard for a loved one. Make business your outlet. Engross yourself in reading. Travel. Do something that's a positive on your life -- love that more than those times you were deep in the bottle.
10. Be artful
Embrace the creative side that's been suppressed. It's in there. You were using alcohol as a way to cope with the dull periods. Use this time to write, draw, color, make music, or whatever other creative outlets you can muster.
The creation of something creates pride. You feel accomplished. This accomplishment can help replace the feeling of despair.
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Making the switch to a sober living will be a tremendous challenge. But you can do this. You're not alone. DO seek professional help if it's serious. DO tap into your support network. DO change your lifestyle.
Just One More Day...
Repeat that over and over.
Alcohol dependency is an on-going battle you'll face for the rest of your days.
But you can do this.
All it takes is "one more day".
Don't project. Don't think of whether you'll handle a family get-together, birthday, or other events usually associated with drinking. Don't imagine how you'll never again experience a night out in the same manner.
Think about getting through today. One more day. Sober living.
Deal with tomorrow when tomorrow comes. Take control of what's happening today. Say "no" to the drink. Then repeat it each passing day.