Healthy living after rehab, and tackling your drug or alcohol use, requires more than just “walking away” from these substances. Upon completion of rehab, you must create a new life that puts your sobriety first!
Part of this new life involves taking care of your physical and mental health in ways you probably never did before. You can’t cope with drugs or alcohol anymore, which means you must learn to use other strategies and tools.
When you take care of yourself and follow the aftercare plan provided by your treatment center (Awakenings Treatment Center is located in beautiful Agoura Hills, California), you have a much higher chance of staying sober.
Here are three essential tips for healthy living after rehab.
1. Make time for physical activity every day.
If you’re not used to working out, making time for exercise might seem like a challenge. But there are ways to make it easier. The Department of Health and Human Services recommends aiming for 30 minutes of moderate physical activity every day. You can also break this up into three 10-minute walks.
Exercise is important for many reasons. It helps you lose weight, build muscle mass, and improve your overall health. It also fights symptoms of mental illness and is a powerful stress reliever.
Here are a few ideas to incorporate more physical activity into your routine:
- Make it a goal to take a walk every day, even if it’s just for 10 or 15 minutes.
- Take a class at a local fitness center. Having a class to attend might make it easier to stick to your goals. Some great classes include swimming, kickboxing, and dancing.
- Try yoga to relieve stress and gain strength and flexibility.
- Pair up with a walking buddy who will hold you accountable.
- Join a group of like-minded fitness enthusiasts (i.e. bike racing, running, swimming).
2. Nourish your physical body after rehab!
Giving your body the nourishment it needs is essential to your overall health and wellness. Eating healthy is important, but when you’re recovering from a substance use disorder, it’s even more critical. Your body is probably depleted in certain nutrients and needs to restore these levels.
Here are a few tips to get you started on the right track:
- Try to eat at least three small meals every day, around the same time. Keeping your stomach full prevents hunger and cravings.
- Eat foods high in fiber, low fat and complex carbs to curb hunger and improve digestive, gut, and heart health. Foods that fall under this category include avocados, flax seeds, chia seeds, blackberries, raspberries, asparagus, broccoli, and cauliflower.
- Incorporate more plant-based foods into your diet. Stay away from processed foods with artificial ingredients.
- Swap chips and crackers for whole food options, like cold-cut veggies or fresh fruits.
- Limit or avoid caffeine intake.
- Take your vitamins and mineral supplements.
Ultimately, when you feel your best, you can do your best. If you’re not sure how to get on a healthy eating plan, talk to your doctor or nutritionist for guidance.
3. Learn to manage stress after rehab.
Managing stress in recovery is crucial, as stress is a major trigger for relapse. If you don’t deal with it head-on, it will build up in your body and cause problems later on. Everyone deals with stress differently, so it will take some trial and error to find what works for you.
For some people, it helps develop a stress management plan that identifies the physical and emotional signs of stress, your triggers, and relaxing activities that distract you from stress. Some of our favorites include:
- Mindfulness
- A favorite hobby
- Exercise
- Listening to music
- Journaling
- Reading books
- Talking to your support groups
- Volunteering for an important cause
Start Your Recovery at Awakenings Treatment Center
Awakenings Treatment Center is an outpatient drug rehab in Agoura Hills, California. We provide comprehensive treatment for substance use and mental health disorders, using both evidence-based and holistic therapies.
Living a healthy and wholesome life after drug rehab is essential to protect your recovery. Contact our admissions department to learn more about starting your journey with us.