Do You Really Need a New Year's Resolution in Recovery?

Tis the season for New Year’s resolutions – but are they a smart choice for people in recovery? Well, let’s look at the facts. An estimated 40 percent of Americans make resolutions around the new year and only 8 percent manage to keep them throughout the year. Many people drop them as early as January 20th.

But why? Well, the idea of improving yourself in the new year is a good one, but many people set up unrealistic and unattainable resolutions.

Setting the bar of expectations too high isn’t good for anyone – it can lead to anxiety and plummeting self-confidence – and it’s even more dangerous for someone in recovery. And if you’re taking your recovery one step or one day at a time, making a New Year’s resolution also might not make sense.

Instead of creating New Year’s resolutions, or a rigid list of dos and don’ts, many experts suggest setting attainable goals that you can spend 2019 working toward. Or, if you’ve already set goals, simply vow to keep going.

Another idea is to set New Year’s intentions, which invite you to be your personal best and can serve as a map for your goals. According to Deepak Chopra, MD, best-selling author and physician, “intention is the starting point of every dream. It is the creative power that fulfills all of our needs, whether for money, relationships, spiritual awakening, or love.”

Living with intention can help you tap into your inner voice and discover what fills you with passion or a sense of purpose. Some examples of New Year’s intentions:

• I intend to forgive others, and myself. 
• I intend to make meditation part of my sober lifestyle. 
• I intend to make myself happy naturally. 
• I intend to be open to success and abundance. 
• I intend to give back to my recovery community. 

Whether or not you choose a conventional or non-conventional “New Year’s resolution,” just do your best to keep your recovery and health front and center and keep relapse at bay. You’ve made great strides in your recovery and deserve a happy, healthy and sober 2019!

A Healthier Lifestyle With Deeper Purpose 
At Haus Recovery, we help our clients stay focused and confident as they master their full recovery potential. To learn more about our services and activities, call us today: 888-551-4715.

Secrets to Enjoying Holiday Parties Sober

If you’re in recovery, holiday parties can bring an extra set of pressures and challenges. But socializing sober can be fun – and a little planning can make it a ton more comfortable. 

Experts say that one of the smartest ways to enjoy holiday parties is to avoid going alone – in other words, bring a date in the form of a trusted family member or friend who supports your sobriety. If it’s not possible to have someone come with you, make sure you arrange for someone to be “on call” – via text or phone should you need to reach out for extra support.

Volunteering to help out also works for some people in sobriety. For example, you can volunteer to set up the decorations, take pictures or be a designated driver. Having a “job” to do will keep you involved and included in the festivities – even if you’re one of the few not drinking.

Of course, it’s up to you to share why you’re abstaining from alcohol but either way you should plan out what to say if someone asks. Having a skit of sorts in your head about why you’re not drinking will make you much more confident and able to turn down a drink. Another trick: Do your best to keep a drink in your hand – seltzer with lemon or lime, for example – so no one has to offer.  

When you get to the party, take a look around and scope out the sober fun – whether a creative food station, photo booth, dance floor, raffle – these can be your go-to zones where drinking isn’t taking center stage.

And throughout the night, take a minute to survey the room for those who may be overdoing it on the booze – it can be a great reminder about why you’re staying on track. Recovery is a 365 day a year priority – so celebrate it along with the holidays as you give yourself the gift of sobriety.

Tis The Season to Enjoy Sobriety
Sobriety is the beginning of a fun, fulfilling and lifelong adventure – and there’s no better time to begin than this holiday season. Our schedule of activities is designed to strategically fill your time, nourish your body and enrich your spirit. To learn more how we can help you transition from rehab to everyday life without losing your way, call us today: 888-551-4715.