Understanding the need to take proactive steps in your own recovery is the first sign that you’re on the mend, no matter which stage of the process you are at in your drug or alcohol recovery. Whether you’ve been in a rehabilitation program for a while or are just starting to realize the need to ask for help, it’s a huge, brave step to take. Reliance on drugs or alcohol can affect your life in several negative ways, and can ruin family and romantic relationships, friendships, jobs, and financial stability. However, reaching out for help gives you the power to take things into your own hands and reroute your life in the direction that you want to go. Looking after your physical and mental health will strengthen your recovery.

Practicing mindfulness

Mindfulness and mindfulness meditation is gaining popularity as a potential drug-free treatment that comes from within yourself. Being more mindful of your decisions and taking control of your thoughts with mindfulness meditation can help you to find a powerful motivational strength inside yourself that you didn’t know was there. You can find books, videos, and articles to help you understand what mindfulness is all about and how to use it in your daily life. Some programs for drug detox in Atlanta encourage mindfulness meditation throughout the recovery process.

A healthy diet

As you become more aware of your body and what you are putting into it, your attitude towards food may also change. To give your body the strength that it needs to heal, providing it with the right nutrients is essential. If you are enrolled in a detox program, you may have access to a dietician who can help you make the right food choices for your body whilst recovering. At home, eat meals that are balanced in lean proteins, complex carbohydrates, and plenty of leafy green vegetables.

Exercise More

A gentle exercise routine will help to raise endorphin levels, giving you that warm, fuzzy feeling that you get at the end of a workout. If you’re still recovering, don’t go too hard on yourself; start off with gentle walking, cycling or swimming and work your way up intensity levels as you get fitter and stronger. Many gyms offer programs for people who are hoping to build their fitness levels. Working one-to-one with a personal trainer can be a good choice if you feel that you’ll need that extra push to stay motivated.

Stay hydrated

Drinking water is the simplest of activities, but it can make all the difference to your body. Whilst recovering, you should aim to drink around six to eight glasses of water each day to prevent dehydration and allow your body to repair itself. Water is essential for all the body’s natural healing processes and will help you flush toxins from your system.

Realizing that you need to make some changes is the first step to recovering from an addiction. As you recover, giving your body the care and nutrients that it needs will keep you on the right track.