Self-love is a state of appreciation for oneself that stems from actions that support our physical, mental and spiritual growth.

The practice of self-love is self-care, which means actively cherishing and valuing your well-being and happiness. It’s normal for recovering addicts to struggle with practicing self-love. Addiction is a horrible disease that affects the person and the people around them. A lot of pain can come from substance abuse, which can make it difficult for the person to reconcile, make amends with others, and forgive themselves. Because we understand the hardships of substance abuse, our drug rehab facility in Delaware is sharing some ways to practice self-love in addiction recovery.

Many recovering addicts tend to struggle with low self-esteem and doubts about their self-worth as they transition to life after rehab. Having self-love is especially important for someone recovering from addiction because it empowers them to take responsibility for their actions and to simply enjoy life. A person who truly loves themselves and holds themselves in high esteem has a more positive outlook on life. Self-love also promotes a generally positive mindset that can strengthen the individual against relapse triggers and stressors. Coping with negative feelings is one of the most common problems addicts face in recovery. They break down a person’s fortress against relapse and cause them to fall back into a downward spiral.

Putting self-love into action can be referred to as self-care. Learning how to practice self-care in addiction recovery is the product of maintaining a steady routine. The key is to develop practical forms of self-care that you can apply to your daily life while sprinkling in some more special ones that you can do every so often. Below are 12 ways to practice self-love in addiction recovery that are practical.

Pay attention to your thoughts

So many types of therapy for drug addiction and alcoholism are centered on identifying and readjusting self-deprecating thoughts because they influence our mood and behavior. When exercising self-love in recovery, it’s important to pay attention to your thoughts. Thinking negatively of yourself will only bring down your mood. We all have moments when we’re mentally attacking ourselves. When you experience this, think of your successes and how far you’ve come.

Spend your time with positive and loving people

We tend to feed off the energy of others, especially if we hold them in high esteem. It’s normal to want to feel loved, accepted, and included among your peers. Considering this, another way to practice self-love is to be wise about who you spend time with. You may come across people who may discourage you and want to see you fail. It’s sad, but it happens. Dedicate your time to those who are loving and supportive of you and your recovery.

Work on forgiving yourself

Forgiveness is a tough nut to crack for many people recovering from addiction. Forgiving yourself means you have to accept the wrong you’ve done and let it go; for good. Your addiction may have caused you to hurt the people you love the most. But those feelings of guilt and shame are roadblocks that will prevent you from moving forward. Forgive yourself by making amends with others, seeking therapy, and acknowledging things that you love about yourself.

Avoid negative self-talk

Negative self-talk sounds a little like this: “Why did I do that? I’m so stupid” or “I can’t do anything right”. Chances are you wouldn’t say this to a friend and you wouldn’t want someone to say this to you, so why would you say things like this to yourself? Negative self-talk doesn’t build you up, so avoid it. Catch yourself when you start thinking or speaking this way and instead remind yourself that you’re human and you’re always learning something new.

Exercise regularly

Remember when I said actions that support our physical state? Well, exercise is a great way to put that into practice. If you’re not a gym-lover or a big fan of exercise, try to find fun hobbies that also keep you active. Instead of going to the gym and walking on a treadmill for 45 minutes, go out for walks with a friend or spouse. Exercise promotes the release of endorphins, which boosts your mood, and keeps you healthy. It’s a win-win.

Eat as healthy as possible

While donuts are great for the soul, they’re not so great for the body. Eating foods that make you feel good and keep your body happy is a great way to show yourself love. There are plenty of online resources and videos that can teach you how to make delicious and healthy dishes you can enjoy alone or with others.

Don’t be afraid to treat yourself every once in a while

Speaking of donuts, it’s also okay to treat yourself every once in a while. This doesn’t always have to be about food. If you eat healthy the whole week, indulge in a treat during the weekend. If you got a bonus at work or you’ve been on top of your tasks, do some shopping. A treat can be anything that you don’t enjoy or do every day. These are great little incentives to stay on track and they’re great mood boosters.

Find things you love to do

If you don’t think you’re a talented artist but you love painting, do it. There are billions of online resources that can help you craft your skills. Want to learn a language? Do it. There are plenty of apps, tutorials, and programs that can help. Don’t hesitate to try something new, you never know if you’ll uncover a hidden talent.

Wear clothes that make you feel good about yourself

When we like how we look, we feel better. Our clothes not only express our style but they’re also meant to suit our bodies and our tastes. If you like the 1950s style, then change up your closet. If you feel the most confident in heels or ties, don’t be afraid to wear them on even the simplest of occasions. There are so many thrift shops that sell quality pieces that can help you develop your style without breaking the bank.

Do not compare yourself to others

Everyone is different. At Banyan Treatment Centers Delaware, we know that recovery is a journey that’s made up of a person’s unique decisions, experiences, setbacks, and achievements. Comparing yourself to other people, whether they’re in addiction recovery or not, is the number one way to attack your mind and break yourself down. Learn how to be happy for others and consider their achievements as motivation.

Make a list of things you’re grateful for

Self-love is influenced by the things we love in our lives. Whether they be people, places, or things, there are certain things we’re particularly grateful for that make us extremely happy. Make a list of things you’re grateful for as a reminder of the good things in life. Keep this list somewhere you can see it every day.

We understand how difficult it is to practice self-care in sobriety. But it’s important to let go of the past and allow yourself to become the person you want to be. If you or someone you know is currently battling addiction and wants to get sober, call Banyan Delaware now at 888-280-4763 for more information about our drug and alcohol treatment in Delaware.