How to build a sobriety toolbox
What is a Sobriety Toolbox? Anything we can use as a safe coping mechanism to shift our current state of mind and our perspective on difficult situations is a worthy tool for sobriety. This time of year, having several methods at your fingertips can go a long way.
We learn/re-learn how to take care of our bodies better during recovery, but maintenance is just as important to keep a healthy mind, body, and soul. We discover healthier ways to eat, live, and interact with the world from a shift of consciousness we did not have before. It’s not always easy to keep this mindfulness, which is why having a Sobriety Toolbox can become a life-long asset.
So how do you create a Sobriety Toolbox? Make a list by using a notepad, your smartphone’s “Notes” app, or a paper towel to jot things down, just to get ideas flowing. Think of healthy outlets to curb your thoughts or cravings.
Need some healthy ideas? Here are just a few that we’ve thought of, or were recommended by our own Alumni:
- Inspirational Smart Apps: These apps can be helpful when you feel good, bad, stressed, depressed, challenged, and even furious. Sometimes a simple inspirational quote can make you feel solid again.
- Sobriety Calculator: Our Sobriety Calculator is a great reminder to your cause and why it’s so important to maintain your sobriety. Calculate from years, months, weeks, days, hours, minutes and even seconds!
- Hot water w/ lemon, Herbal Teas, Fruit-Infused Water: Elate yourself and hydrate! These are known to be mood boosters to your neurotransmitters. They create a calm, happy, and tranquil feeling as well as aid in digestion, blood pressure, and concentration.
- Meditation: Practice mindfulness using guided meditations via audio, video, or sitting comfortably in solitude to let your mind be free. 10 minutes of alone time can be just what you need to center yourself.
- Prayer: Prayer can be powerful in moving you into a positive mindset. Clear negative-thought toxins from a spiritual level to change your outlook at a given moment.
- Deep Breathing/Yoga: Deep Breathing and Yoga are easy to integrate into your life as not only a daily routine but also a quick go-to for stressful moments. Not only do they decrease withdrawal symptoms, but will also increase oxygen to the brain and provide a sense of wellbeing overall.
- Art Therapy: Painting, dancing, singing, poetry, writing; these are forms of art that allow you to express yourself. Use your creativity and imagination to practice introspection.
- Aromatherapy with Essential Oils: These home remedies can be helpful and pleasant at the same time. Known as alternative medicine or a holistic approach, the aromatic scents provide a benefit to your mental, physical, and spiritual health and wellbeing.
- Acupressure: This is an extended acupuncture method that involves finger pressure. Originating from ancient China, the fingers gradually press key points on the body to stimulate its natural self-curative abilities in the body by bringing energy into you or in removing energy blocks.
- Tai Chi: Tai Chi is a martial art that trains your body how to balance and manage its internal energies. It’s designed to help people achieve peace of mind and calmness. It can relieve stress and anxiety, using slow and rhythmic movements, while incorporating deep breathing. I can be extremely relaxing.
- Exercise: Exercise has many benefits as a sobriety tool such as reducing stress, promoting cardiovascular health, reducing food cravings, as well as improve the quality of your sleep. A brief workout session leaves you with a more positive attitude where you focus less on things that irritate or bother you.
- Healing Hobbies: Take up a new hobby or indulge in something you’ve always wanted to try. Gardening, ASMR (Autonomous Sensory Meridian Response), Coloring (yes, Coloring!) such as a Mandala workbook, building a model, or reading a good book.
Whatever you choose, make sure it promotes a positive reinforcement to well-being and reduction of stress for you. There are many methods to choose from and some have Meetup groups for people with similar interests as you.
