The decision to start recovery and put in the work to improve your future is one of the best decisions you could ever make. However, just because you start well on the road to recovery does mean that you are always going to have the motivation to keep pushing forward, especially if difficulties present themselves along the way.

The key to staying motivated is preparing in advance how you are going to deal with obstacles when they arise. Obstacles will come, but you have the power to decide if you will let them hold you back or if they will be a motivating force to keep you pushing forward. <> Challenges can sometimes feel overwhelming. Your mind can be your worst enemy, telling you that you can’t heal. However, there are things you can do to keep forging ahead.

Remember What Got You Started on This Path

Being caught in the cycle of compulsion and obsession that are the hallmarks of addiction is a living nightmare. Beginning the journey to break that cycle is a significant victory. When doubt and uncertainty cause you to wonder if the effort is worth it, remember the events that encouraged you to make the life-changing decision to get help.

Did your addiction get you into legal trouble? Think about how your addiction affected your employment, friendships, and relationships with your family and kids. Likely, there was a breaking point that made it clear to you that you needed to change your life and heal yourself on the inside and outside. When worry and doubt haunt you, meditate on the events that encouraged you to get started.

Think about the Benefits of Recovery

It is vital that you ponder on the benefits that your decision has brought you and will continue to bring you. As with all journeys, there will be plateaus, valleys, and straightaways.

Recovery is not a smooth journey. Don’t allow feeling stuck early on in recovery to become a roadblock. Pondering on the benefits that recovery brings, including a healthier life, a longer life, meaningful relationships, and a better outlook on your future, can be enough to give you the motivation you need to recover.

Take Care of Your Mind and Body

When physically and emotionally tired, your willpower and determination become scanty. This is especially true as you are going through the recovery process. Your body is battling the physical effects of drug and alcohol abuse. It is trying to readapt to functioning without relying on other substances.

If you notice that you are feeling unmotivated, examine your self-care routine. Make sure you are doing the following things.

Getting eight hours or more of sleep each night
Eating nutrient-rich foods, including healthy fats, fruits, vegetables, and high-protein foods
Exercising 30 minutes a day at least five days a week
Drinking sufficient water to stave off dehydration
Spending quality time with friends and family to avoid isolation
Connecting to your higher power

Value the Small Steps

Recovery is not a 50-meter sprint. It is an ultramarathon. Its success is built on consistency and small steps.

When the road ahead seems bleak, it is easy to lose focus on what you have accomplished and the good things you have in your life. Focus on the things you have to be grateful for and not on the things you regret or wish you could change about the past.

The mind finds it easier to dwell on negative things. You have to make a conscientious effort to think about the positive things that are happening and the positive steps you have made. This might include creating a gratitude journal or making a mental outline of the great things that happened to you during the day so that you can remind yourself of them at night.

Quitting is not going to help you. It won’t make you happier. Recovery is the only thing that will help you improve your life. It requires effort, but it is worth the work.

Get Support from Others

Don’t allow anxiety, depression, or doubt to cause you to isolate yourself from others. Being by yourself can hurl you into a never-ending cycle of negative thoughts. When you get support from others, you are able to get outside opinions about your progress. You may not have seen how far you have progressed, but your friends and family have noticed it. Their kind words may be just what you need to keep going. <> Are you ready to start your journey to recovery? We can help. Call us now at 833-497-3812.