Detoxing From More Than Just Alcohol and Drugs

detoxing from more than just drugs

When you hear the word “detoxification,” quitting alcohol and drugs probably comes to mind. While purifying your body by ridding the toxins related to addiction is vital, many people find other opportunities to engage in a “detox” beneficial to improve their frame of mind. Other areas of your life can go through a “detox” to boost your mood and ability to move forward when they become a habit. Why not add to your arsenal of coping with anxiety while helping you meet your goal of staying sober?

Taking a Break From Social Media

Millions of people worldwide enjoy participating in various social media outlets, such as Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. Updating everyone about your life, showing off pictures, and catching up with everyone else can be fun. However, sometimes you can get “too much of a good thing.” Often, a person can feel overwhelmed by continually tending to the posts of hundreds or thousands of friends and followers. A regular parade of people showing off celebrations, achievements, and pictures of happy relationships and events can take their toll. These posts can negatively affect a person’s view of their own lives by comparison.

Consider taking a break from social media for a few days or a week. Studies have shown that many people find they feel less stress during social media “breaks.” Additionally, they are less likely to waste time comparing their lives to what they perceive as the happier lives of others.

You may be surprised at how much time you spend on social media sites. Challenge yourself to do something with the time saved as you break from social media. You can catch up on a project around the house, spending time exercising, or learning healthy new recipes. You can also “kickback” by listening to music or start reading a new book.

Detoxing From Negative Thoughts

People who suffer from low self-esteem often find that their go-to reaction to most things in life is negative. If they are presented with a new opportunity, like advancement on the job or an invitation to join a new support group, they assume the worst. They might “catastrophize” potential downsides or worst-case scenarios.

Challenge yourself to recognize when a reaction or assumption is negative. Imagine holding up a bright red stop sign when negative thoughts enter your mind. Remind yourself that tolerating an entirely negative outlook on life will not yield positive results. The more you practice quieting negative thoughts and replacing them with positive ones, the more comfortable it will feel. Eventually, this new skill will become a habit, which helps people feel less anxious. Not every opportunity is doomed, so make an effort to rewire your brain with positive thoughts.

Include Upbeat Entertainment in Your Down Time

Everyone enjoys a good, tense, dramatic TV show, a tearjerker movie, or music that helps express anger and dark emotions. However, it might be concerning if all the entertainment you ingest revolves around negative situations, people, and emotions. Make sure to also indulge in the lighter side of music, TV, movies, and books.

  • Think about a comedy film favorite that you have not watched in years and plan an evening around it.
  • Check out a new streaming series with great reviews and celebrates the lighter side of life.
  • Make a playlist of music that features positive messages to encourage you while you work, exercise, or relax.

You can make room for the harrowing police drama or the novel with the tragic ending. However, make sure you also have plenty of exposure to entertainment with happier, more upbeat themes.

Embrace Healthy Eating to Go Along With Your Sobriety

A person who has engaged in long-term abuse of alcohol or drugs is at-risk for poor physical health. Once they have been through detox and entered treatment, it can help to detox from an unhealthy diet that complements a commitment to better physical health. A visit to your doctor or nutritionist can help you figure out a new way to approach your dietary habits and aim for feeling better.

Fad diets are not a good idea, which is why having a person with medical or dietary training assess your personal needs helps get you on the right track. Small steps like reducing your caffeine intake or learning to replace some stress-based junk food choices with healthy meals can change how you feel. Healthy nutrition is essential for multiple domains of wellness. What you eat can impact how you feel physically, mentally, and emotionally.

Detoxification from alcohol and drugs is vital to anyone who struggles with addiction, but there are accompanying ways to help detox your mind and spirit, too. Taking time away from social media, negativity in entertainment choices and unhealthy eating habits can boost a person’s morale and help them experience better mental and emotional health. The Detox Center of Colorado understands that committing to detoxification from alcohol and drugs is just the first step in treatment. Our trained professionals are ready to assist you through the detox process and plan your next steps in treatment. We provide a small, cozy facility in beautiful Colorado to help you begin your new life. We utilize an integrative approach that may include holistic modalities, psychotherapy, medication management, and therapy for co-occurring mental health disorders. Call us today at (303) 952-5035 to determine how we can help you assess your treatment goals and begin recovery now.

 

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