Holidays

For millions of Americans across the nation, the holidays bring about added stress. So many people feel pressure to make the “perfect” dish, to “impress” others with latest achievements, and to overall “look” the part that is portrayed in media – but naturally, these high expectations can’t always be met, and this can cause considerable anxiety for people as they try their best to go above and beyond. If you’re struggling with anxiety on top of recovering from addiction, it can definitely be a nerve-wracking experience. Here are several wonderful tips for handling anxiety during the holidays:

The holidays are often filled with friends and family talking, playing games, eating and more. While spending time with friends and family can be fun, it can easily get out of hand for someone who is working on their sobriety. Many people drink during the holidays to celebrate, relieve stress, socialize and unwind; unfortunately, this line of thinking also causes people to spend too much money, argue more frequently with their significant other, get in accidents because they weren’t paying attention, become more stressed or anxious, and otherwise avoid real connections with loved ones because of the materialistic nature that consumes our society today. It can be hard to remain sober when loved ones ask us to drink, but here is what we can say:

With Thanksgiving and other holidays coming up, it can be a difficult time for anyone in recovery. Around Thanksgiving, Christmas, and other holidays, movies and commercials start to appear that are focused on family, friends, and being together – if a person in addiction recovery is currently not in close quarters with their loved ones, it can feel beyond depressing. These depictions of family around the holiday seasons can make us feel like we have to have this “picture-perfect” holiday if we’re living life the way it’s “meant” to be lived – otherwise, many people feel left out, hopeless and not worthy of love. If this is how you’ve been feeling lately, it’s time to recognize that the myths of family togetherness during the holidays are not always true. Holidays are just days – and just like any other day, they come and go. Not only that, but there are so many people out there who are struggling to get along with family members, or who too are working towards their recovery – so if you find yourself home alone this holiday season, do not be discouraged.

With the holidays coming up, it can be easy to feel nervous about the urge to abuse alcohol or drugs. Whether potential usage is with family or friends, or whether we may feel lonely during the holidays, the desire to want to use may still be there – and it can be hard to overcome at times. If you’ve been in recovery for quite some time or if you’re just wanting to ensure your health and safety this holiday season, there are several steps that you can take to ensure that you stay on track with sobriety. Know what your boundaries are. If your friends or family are abusing substances, plan out exactly what you want to say or do if you become uncomfortable. If you already have a set plan for what you’ll say and do, it will become much easier to say “no” if you need to. You may also want to establish a trusty ride home if you need to head out.  Understand what you are getting into before you go. If you know that the people you’re about to spend time with will not respect your recovery and will try to get you to drink or use drugs, reconsider the decision to go. Never compromise your values or your health to feel comfortable around others. Feel free to say “no” if you don’t feel that it would be a good idea for your recovery, health and safety – you’ll thank yourself later.  If you’re at a holiday event, go ahead and make yourself a non-alcoholic drink. Most of the time, it will look like you have a drink already in hand – and you’ll be less likely to be asked if you’d like something to drink. If people begin asking you why you’re not drinking, tell them “I’m not drinking tonight” or “I have plans early tomorrow” or “I took medication and alcohol doesn’t mix well with it”. It’s perfectly find to tell other people that drinking doesn’t fit within your plans for the night. Never be afraid to stand up for yourself.

When we’re in active addiction mode, perhaps we’re not sure what “fun” really means to us. Early on in our addictions, we might have used alcohol and/or drugs and other addictive behaviors as a way to lose control, have fun, self-medicate, party, and/or relax. Eventually, we realize that our addictions collapse into turmoil and hardship. “Fun” doesn’t figure too heavily into the equation. One inspiring part about recovery is that we get to redefine what it means to have fun. We get to figure out what we enjoy, what makes us feel free and lighthearted, and what makes us feel bad. Oftentimes, we’re starting from the ground up. However, we can view this process of redefining what it means to have fun as an exciting self-discovery journey. Here are a few tips for redefining fun in recovery.

Around this time of year, Valentine’s Day can be triggering for those in addiction recovery. Billboards depict champagne and large gatherings, while television shows and commercials begin highlighting romance. For a person who is focusing on themselves and their sobriety, where do they fit in? It is for this exact reason that Valentine’s Day can become triggering – especially if those in recovery find themselves focusing on what they don’t (or can’t) have over what they do have. Relapse is a common buzzword in addiction recovery, and that’s because many people try to avoid it at all costs. Relapse occurs when a person reverts back to previous addictive behaviors – and for many, this turn of events is followed by guilt and shame. Valentine’s Day can trigger relapse for people in a number of ways:

Self-care has been quite the buzzword lately, but it’s nonetheless important because all too often, we forget to take care of ourselves on the most basic of levels. We stress, worry, ruminate, and meanwhile forget to feed our mind and bodies nutritious food, practice sleep hygiene, exercise and so much more. Valentine’s Day can be a particularly difficult holiday to get through while in addiction recovery because of the societal expectations to drink, celebrate, and indulge in romance with a significant other. If you’re in recovery this holiday season, remember that your self-care is of utmost importance. In reality, Valentine’s Day is just like any other day – and you can use this day to engage in self-care activities that are most beneficial for your mind, body and spirit.

Whether you’re in recovery or not, you may be trying to formulate Valentine’s Day plans either by yourself or with others. Valentine’s Day can bring about a lot of stress and anxiety if you hold certain expectations about the holiday and how it should go. Many people enjoy going out to eat with their friends or significant other, while others may decide to host something at home or simply make a nice dinner for themselves. No matter your circumstance, gift yourself this Valentine’s Day with food that will boost your mental health and recovery.

With Valentine’s Day right around us, there is the inherent pressure to be in a relationship. Many people view Valentine’s Day as a couple’s holiday, and whether you are in a relationship or not, you’re probably thinking about it. For those of us in recovery, relationships can be a vague concept because we are currently spending most of our time focusing on developing tools that we need to succeed. Perhaps you’ve considered dating, or you may even be contemplating if now is the best time to be with your significant other. No matter the circumstance, the question remains: is being in a relationship appropriate while you’re in recovery? Each person’s situation is different, but generally, it is suggested that the first year of recovery should be complete focus on that and nothing else. Several sources have provided reasons for this, including:

Valentine’s Day is known for flowers, chocolates, romance, cards, champagne, and more. However, those without a significant other may feel strong emotions on Valentine’s Day due to the expectation that you should have someone special on that day and if you don’t, you’re lonely. Emotions that could arise from this include guilt, sadness, depression, anxiety, and anger. No matter the case, sobriety is key for those of us in recovery, and those emotions could trigger us. Here is your ultimate guide to getting through Valentine’s Day, no matter where you’re at in your recovery:

New Year’s is a time to reflect on the past year and have hope for the future. It’s a time to celebrate with friends and loved ones, converse with those you haven’t seen in awhile, and have fun. Many people have been choosing to throw “sober parties”, an event where the host can control the temptations of alcohol to help their own and others’ recovery, or to create a welcoming environment for a sober loved one. Hosting a sober party is a fantastic way to connect with others in a safe and clean environment. The following are steps you can take to host your own sober party for NYE:

So many things happen on New Year’s Eve. Parties, dancing, food, music, games – you name it. While New Year’s Eve can be a wonderful time to spend with friends and family, there are many things that can set you up for failure both psychologically and physically that night. Taking care of both your physical and mental health can ensure that you will have a safe and successful evening with those you love. Implement the following things on NYE to optimize your mental and physical health: