When Rosalind Tompkins was just four years clean and sober, she founded the nonprofit organization Mothers In Crisis, Inc., to provide networks of support for families to live productive, empowered, hope-filled lives. Thirty years later, April is officially the National Month of Hope—and you can celebrate by cultivating hope in your own life.
Here are five tips for finding and nurturing hope in recovery.
1. Celebrate Every Victory
It’s hard to overstate the importance of a positive mindset for addiction recovery. If you dwell on past mistakes, you can get stuck in a cycle of negative thinking that destroys your forward momentum. Instead of beating yourself up for the things you’ve done wrong, give yourself credit for the things you’ve done right. No victory is too small to recognize—celebrate everything from getting out of bed this morning to reaching for fruit instead of candy as a midday snack. Learn to recognize success, because every good choice adds up. Don’t let past failures steal your future hope.
2. Build a Support System
It’s easy to feel hopeless when you’re stuck in your own head. But by speaking your thoughts aloud to trusted friends, family members, or counselors, you can gain the perspective and support you need to restore your hopefulness. Surround yourself with positive people who will encourage you on your recovery journey. Reach out to these like-minded individuals when you’re feeling low, and ask them to remind you of your goals and cheer you on when you don’t have the energy to cheer for yourself.
3. Limit Your Social Media Intake
Social media can be a useful tool for connecting with others, but it can also contribute to increased levels of depression and anxiety. If you struggle with feelings of inadequacy after scrolling through your feed, set limits on your social media consumption. In addition, recognize that a constant diet of bad news can lead to feelings of hopelessness. Enlist your support system to help you escape the pull of doomscrolling. You can also proactively seek out good news that makes you smile, and comedy sites that make you laugh. Laughter can work wonders for your soul in recovery.
4. Perform Acts of Kindness
One of the best ways to cultivate hope is by doing something nice for someone else. An act of kindness can be as simple as paying for the person behind you at the drive-thru, or telling someone they’re doing a good job. Brightening someone else’s day gives your own mental health a boost, providing a needed distraction from your personal struggles. It’s also empowering to recognize that you can make a difference in the world. Make it a habit to do something for others every day, and you’ll be amazed how your acts of kindness can change your entire perspective.
5. Train Your Thoughts
When you’re seeking to nurture hope in recovery, train your mind to stay in the present as much as possible. Focusing on the here and now allows you to concentrate on the things you can control rather than what is outside your control. Pay particular attention to your thoughts so you can recognize harmful patterns and stop negative thoughts in their tracks. Replace the negativity with positive self-talk, including affirming statements such as “I forgive myself for what I did under the influence” and “I am loved.” Kicking the habit of negative self-talk can help you sustain your sobriety and enjoy a more hopeful outlook on life.
You don’t have to settle for a life filled with fear, negativity, and regret. Try these tips to nurture hope in recovery and enjoy a satisfying, addiction-free life.
Are you tired of having a negative outlook on life? Contact our trained admissions counselors at 888-984-5288 to learn how you can discover hope in recovery at Beachside Rehab’s luxury treatment center.