New Year’s resolutions are a great way to start the new year. They may even fit well with your goal to maintain a sober lifestyle in recovery. No matter what 2021 throws at us, having the right mindset and setting attainable goals can help us succeed. It’s a good idea to work with your Sunstone Recovery therapist to help you choose the right types of resolutions to make for the coming year. Contact Sunstone Behavioral Health by calling 855.833.9199 to learn more about our video-conference-style therapy sessions and addiction treatment programs.
Should You Make Resolutions This Year?
Resolutions can be beneficial in recovery if you use them. If you are going to make a promise to yourself that in the coming year, you plan to do something or behave in some way, make sure you are serious about doing so. You may also want to make sure what you are promising is truly attainable. Presenting yourself with something that’s simply too hard to do is not ideal. It may even set you up for failure in other areas.
What Type of New Years Resolutions Are Best?
It’s really a personal journey to determine which type of resolutions are best for you. That’s because only you know what’s important to you, what your needs are, and what you’re capable of achieving. What’s very important is for you to work closely with your therapist, if possible, to craft some resolutions that are going to benefit and support your recovery. Some items may include:
- Working to consistently reduce the stress you have
- Engaging in a positive lifestyle that’s free from drugs or alcohol around you
- Interacting with only people who support you and leaving the rest behind
- Working to heal your body through nutrition and exercise
- Writing down positive messages about yourself each day
Life is challenging for many people, but in recovery, it can be very stressful. That’s why it is so important to have tools and resources that can help you to continue to thrive. Resolutions can do that if you work to maintain them.
Expectations for Resolutions for the Best 2021
Let’s say you set a resolution to never have stress and to let everything go. You may know that your recovery is dependent on dealing with stress in an effective manner. Yet, when you make a promise to yourself to live a stress-free life, you’re setting yourself up for failure. Most people deal with stress daily. When you fail at a resolution like this, you may be at risk for negative thoughts that put you on the path to relapse.
Be realistic about what can happen with resolutions. Also, take the time to forgive yourself when things do not go as they should. What’s more important than having no stress, for example, is recognizing when stress is too much and how to get help for it when that occurs.
This New Years Resolution in Recovery – Know When to Get Help
Make a promise to yourself that you’ll reach out to those professionals in your life who can support you when times are difficult or you are struggling with mental health. Our team at Sunstone Recovery can provide that type of support to you at any time. Learn more about our programs and get the care you need:
- Addiction therapy programs
- Intensive outpatient program
- Young adult rehab program
- Dual diagnosis treatment program
Modifying Relationships That are Harmful to Your Mental Health
A large percentage of people who come into drug treatment programs tell therapists they are experiencing high levels of stress due to a relationship with a partner or family member. It is essential not to blame another individual but rather to modify any areas of your personal life if they trigger you.
Even those with the best intentions can enable you or push your buttons unintentionally. Perhaps a close friend is struggling with their addiction and not yet at a place where they can face that. On the other end of the spectrum, there are downright toxic relationships that threaten your sobriety. Engage in self-reflection and have honest conversations with those closest to you. When appropriate and safe to do so, cut ties or limit interactions with people who drag you down. If you have a history of unhealthy relationships, 2022 is the year to set boundaries, express gratitude when appropriate, and choose relationships in which each person involved helps the other work toward their goals.
Choose a Healthy Future – Call Sunstone Recovery Today
When it comes to making New Year’s resolutions, do it for yourself and your future. Focus on steps and strategies that can help you with recovery. When you make a commitment to live your best life in recovery, you are more likely to achieve your biggest goals. To learn more, reach out to Sunstone Recovery online now or call us at 855.833.9199.
