“If we are facing in the right direction, all we have to do is keep on walking.”
Zen proverb
Celebrating Recovery During the Holidays
The holiday season is a time for joy and celebration! Many of us look forward to spending time with loved ones, indulging in delicious food, and participating in cherished traditions.
But for those recovering from addiction, celebrating recovery during the holidays can sometimes be challenging. The temptations and triggers of the season can make staying sober feel impossible. However, there is good news! No matter how challenging it can be, with the right resources and a strong support group, maintaining sobriety during the holidays is possible and can also be a time of growth, gratitude, and connection.
Creating Positive, Healthy Habits to Celebrate Recovery During the Holidays
One of the most helpful tools during the holiday season is to focus on building and maintaining healthy habits. By taking small, consistent actions daily, individuals in recovery can create a strong foundation for sobriety. This can include attending support group meetings, practicing self-care, and finding healthy ways to manage stress and emotions.
It can also be helpful to plan ahead and have a strategy in place for dealing with potential triggers or challenging situations. This might include avoiding certain gatherings or having a support person to talk to when needed. One of our most powerful tools is the ability to say “no” when we don’t feel like we are in a safe environment.
It’s important to remember that you don’t have to attend every holiday function or event, especially if you know there will be triggers or temptations. If you expect there to be copious amounts of alcohol at a family Christmas party, it’s okay to politely decline and/or make other arrangements for a later time. And this doesn’t just apply to the holidays, but also our daily lives. Whether it’s a Christmas work party, a New Year’s Eve gathering, or just an evening out with friends, knowing your limitations and honoring your recovery is the bravest thing you can do.
One of our previous guests on the podcast shared the importance of creating and maintaining healthy habits to help you transform your life in a healthy and powerful way.
Transform Your Life Through the Power of Habits
On Episode 54 of Positive Recovery, MD Dr. Jason Powers and Jamie Demeris are joined by Nate Herrington, Founder and Owner of My Habits Coach. Nathan has a background in education and transformational leadership and has worked with people in many capacities over the last 20 years to support them in creating extraordinary lives.
One of the underlying themes of Nathan’s professional and personal journey has been the power of practice and habit, primarily the small, simple actions that one takes daily. His evidence-based approach to growth is an empowering intervention for the ineffective methods that all humans inevitably engage in to pursue happiness and fulfillment. With the right mindset, structures, and action, Nathan believes that we can create a life that we love.
Recovery Thrives in Community
We recognize that saying “no” isn’t always the easiest thing to do. One of the keys to maintaining sobriety during the holiday season is to have a strong support network and to focus on building healthy habits that support recovery. If you’ve ever struggled with saying no to the things that don’t serve you, here are a few helpful hints to help you on your recovery journey.
A Few, Helpful Hints to Get You Through the Holidays
- Remember your “Why” – We all have different reasons why we want to create a meaningful life through recovery. For some of us, we want to be better spouses to our partners. For others, we want to show up for our children and model healthy habits. When faced with triggers or temptations, it’s often helpful to remember why we made the decision in the first place. Maybe it’s carrying around a photo of your child in your wallet you can physically touch and feel. Or maybe it’s pulling up a list in your notes app on your phone of all the gifts recovery has given you. Having something tangible can bring us back to the present moment and pave a way for the future we want.
- Know that it gets easier – Learning to say no can be challenging, especially if you are just starting your recovery journey. But it does get easier. The more you practice making healthy and positive decisions, the easier it gets. It’s similar to learning how to ride a bike as a young child. The first couple of times you get on the bike, it can be tough trying to balance without training wheels or learning the different gears. But the more you get back on the bike and keep pedaling, the easier it becomes and the more natural it feels. In recovery, it’s no different. It may be challenging at first, but the more you practice making healthy decisions for yourself and your future, the more natural it becomes.
- Surround yourself with like-minded people – We believe that community is a strong indicator of who we can become. When we surround ourselves with like-minded people, it can shape our behaviors. While ultimately, the decisions we make are ours alone, other people can have a heavy influence on our lives. For example, if you’re wanting to eat more healthy, balanced meals and focus on your physical fitness, you might join a local CrossFit gym and join others who share similar goals. In the same way, if you want to overcome alcohol addiction and create the best life possible, joining a local support group and engaging in alcohol-free activities is your best bet.
Are you looking to connect with a supportive community and start 2023 on the right foot? Continue reading below to see how you can join in on the fun for New Year’s Eve (Alcohol-FREE!) or find the tools and resources right for your specific needs on your road to recovery!
Not Your Average New Year’s Eve Party!
Launched in 2017, Co-Founders Sarah Bolton and Bree Brown felt there was a gap that needed to be met for those in recovery (or simply don’t want to be surrounded by alcohol!) who still wanted to enjoy themselves on New Year’s Eve. That’s when Sober Eve was born. Sober Eve, Houston’s ONLY Sober Pop-Up Night Club, was designed to bring life back into the “nightlife” club scene without the temptation of alcohol. DJs, light shows, mocktails, energy drinks, a coffee bar, and an EPIC confetti drop at midnight WITHOUT alcohol?
Count. Us. In!
What’s more is that every year, Sober Eve chooses a different recovery-oriented non-profit beneficiary to receive EVERY dollar earned from the event. This year’s beneficiary, The Loved Ones Left Behind (TLOLB), helps empower families’ recovery from suicide through financial and emotional support. And we’d love to have you join us THIS New Year’s Eve!
If you’re 18+, come party with us as we celebrate life, friendship, recovery, and ring in the New Year hangover free! Click the link to buy your tickets TODAY!
In Need of Care?
If you or a loved one is in need of addiction treatment care, know that you are not alone. Whether it’s during the holiday season or the new year, we are happy to assist you and your loved one every step of the way. We invite you to call us at (877) 697-1383 to learn more about our 14 locations from Houston to Austin’s Hill Country and our full continuum of care ranging from Detox through Aftercare. Together, we can THRIVE in recovery today and tomorrow.
Happy Holidays from all of us at Positive Recovery Centers!