Decorations, family visits, work parties, activities with friends, gift exchanges, entertaining with special meals, and other exciting aspects all contribute to festive times during the winter months. Unfortunately, the holidays can also prompt stress, depression, and anxiety. Anyone can feel overwhelmed during this time of year, especially if they’ve just completed an addiction treatment program. But we have tips to help you have an enjoyable sober holiday season.
Manage Your Expectations
The Mayo Clinic indicates that many of us struggle with certain expectations of exactly how wonderful the holidays should be. “Often, events out of your control—finances, travel plans, past and present relationships, health, and current events—interfere with your vision of the perfect holiday season. This can lead to stress and unhappiness.”
Assess the expectations you have for yourself and others. Come to terms with these thoughts. Then, let them go. Be more open with family members and friends about paring back on gifts, the number of gatherings you’ll attend, how far you’re willing to travel, and other aspects. Simply plan to have a more relaxed holiday.
Prioritize Your Self-Care
Because you’re in recovery, less is more. It’s important to:
- Plan ahead
- Acknowledge your feelings
- Change your definition of celebrating
- Avoid common triggers
Each day, detail your self-care routine. For some people, this might involve extra therapy sessions, attending additional support meetings for social support, or calling a sponsor twice a day instead of daily. It may also include meditation, prayer, or other quiet reflection.
In your self-care routine, remember to eat as healthily as you can. Occasional sweet treats are fine, but keep the foundation of a whole-foods diet. Also, get regular exercise, and stick to a normal sleep schedule. These wellness habits keep your immune system strong and create positive energy.
The final component in your self-care plan is to breathe. If a relative-stuffed house feels smothering, take a short walk outside. Step away from party chatter and stare quietly into the soft glow of a candle flame for a few minutes. Take a moment to watch the snow fall or the palm trees sway or whatever moves in your environment. What you give to yourself during this season is just as important as what you bestow onto others.
Live in the Moment
This is another gift you deserve to enjoy. In an article for Mindbody, grief counselor, educator, and ordained UCC minister Melissa McCreery Douaire suggests that you “slow down, and make time for one kind word to each person in your path. Smile! See them, hear them, and be present with them in the moment. The alerts on your phone can wait.” She adds that “taking the time to meaningfully connect may be the gift they need and the best one they receive. You’ll change their day and yours.”
Living in the moment is also a shift in mindset toward thinking less about the past and not worrying about the future. In addition to the many tips mentioned above, you might also find more peace during this time of year by focusing on being thankful and practicing mindfulness.
Be Prepared
Finally, if you’re concerned the holiday season threatens your sobriety or prompts triggers that lead to unhealthy behavior, remember to:
- Stay away from people, places, and things that don’t support your recovery.
- Have an escape plan ready if a social gathering becomes too uncomfortable. Talk to the host ahead of time about your special circumstances and ask for understanding.
- Keep a resource list of support numbers with you in case you need additional assistance.
With planning and awareness, you can make the best of the holiday season in a way that’s most meaningful for you.
Turn to Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire
Some people also use this time of year to reinforce their sobriety through outpatient programming. Even if you’ve completed residential treatment, there are always new ways to support your recovery journey.
The Sobriety Centers of New Hampshire has three treatment centers with board-certified professionals offering an evidence-based approach to wellness:
- The Antrim House in Antrim, a detoxification and residential treatment facility for men and women.
- Recovery Mountain in Tilton, a residence for Veterans and first responders as part of outpatient programming.
- The Lakes Addiction Treatment Center in Laconia, which offers inpatient, outpatient, partial hospitalization, and intensive outpatient rehabilitation programs for men and women.
Let us help you experience the holidays—and your life—with more joy and wellness. Talk to a member of our admissions team to learn more.