Self-care is vital for recovery.
It’s a rare addict who starts the recovery process while practicing a healthy, well-rounded program of self-care. Yet listening to our bodies, engaging in healthful habits, and maintaining realistic interpersonal and time boundaries are important aspects of healthy, sober living. Stephen Covey popularized the principle of self-care in his book, The Seven Habits of Highly Effective People, by writing about a lumberjack who worked tirelessly all day to cut a tree, expending much more time and effort than his colleague who stopped from time to time to sharpen his saw. When battling an addiction, taking a few minutes to meditate, exercise, be in nature, socialize, and just plain have some fun isn’t wasting time. You’re simply sharpening your instruments of recovery (mind, body, emotions, social relationships, etc.)
Just for Today
Engage in at least 30 minutes of “frivolous” self-care. Share about this in therapy or a meeting.