Why Having a Routine in Recovery is So Effective

Managing a New Normal

After completing treatment for substance use, it can often be challenging to integrate yourself back into a normal daily routine. There are external stressors that may not have existed in treatment and new emotions to learn how to navigate. Learning how to manage a new normal is overwhelming, and feelings of stress can be triggering for those in recovery.

However, there are healthy ways to combat the stress you may be experiencing. One of the most efficient ways to manage daily stressors is having a routine. Routines are proven to help people remain organized and reduce the risk of unwanted surprises. By following a routine, you increase the day’s predictability. Having a structure in place helps you achieve your daily goals and makes it more difficult to go back to your old habits.

Here are some practices to incorporate into your day-to-day life to help establish a routine:

Schedule Sleep Times

Getting a good night’s rest is pertinent to feeling your best. While you sleep, your body rests, recovers, and restores itself to get ready for the next day. One of the best ways to have a healthy and natural sleep cycle is to put a consistent sleep schedule in place. To do this, train your body to go to bed and wake up at the same time each day. It’s important to maintain your sleep schedule, even on weekends and days off, so your body becomes attuned to this rest period. With good sleep, you reduce your chances of feeling excess stress.

Schedule Time For Meals

Your body can’t properly function without eating nutrient-dense meals. However, it’s easy to let the day get away from you before you realize you forgot to eat breakfast or lunch. Research shows that breakfast is the most important meal of the day since it replenishes your brain and body after a good night’s sleep.

Eating small meals throughout the day is the best way to keep a steady energy level and improve your overall mood. If you find that to be difficult, schedule set times to eat meals. It can be helpful to write down what times you will be eating to hold yourself accountable.

Schedule ‘You’ Time

While you are establishing a routine, it is important to leave room in your schedule for self-care. Scheduling thirty minutes to an hour each day to do something you love will help reduce your overall stress levels. Whether you enjoy reading, running, exercising, or journaling, dedicating that time to yourself is important for your mental health.

Creating a Treatment Plan at Carolina Recovery Solutions

When it comes to finding the right treatment program, there is no one-size-fits-all solution. The team at Carolina Recovery Solutions uses a personalized and integrated approach to evaluate your unique needs, concerns, and goals before creating an individualized treatment plan. We proudly deliver high-quality treatments and build lasting relationships to help you achieve lasting, long-term sobriety.

Take the first step on the road to recovery by contacting us online or speaking with a member of our compassionate staff at (828) 383-8328.