Everyone starts their resolutions with good intentions, but how many people actually follow through? After a week or two, or even a month or two, are you as committed as you were at the start? It’s not uncommon for people to start slacking off because they haven’t adequately planned and prepared to make their resolution a long-term change. This is exactly why your recovery and health should be a priority, not a resolution.
You only get one body and one life to live, so you’d better make the most of it. Drugs and alcohol take a major toll and can leave lasting damage. You increase your risk of cancer, heart disease, liver failure, and a plethora of other issues. While it is beneficial to start the year off strong eating a healthier diet, drinking more water, staying active, and getting plenty of sleep, these are changes that should be continued all year long. If you revert back to old routines and habits come February or March, you’re undoing all of your hard work.
Instead of thinking of your recovery as a resolution, consider it a lifestyle change. Invest in maximizing your results by seeking professional help and building a solid support system so you can keep pushing forward. By making your physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health a priority, and equipping yourself with diverse tools and resources, you can make changes that last. Eating better, reducing stress, exercising, and coping with challenging situations more effectively will become part of your new routines and something you can stick with.
If you realize part way through the year that you’re not making the best decisions for your health and have developed a dependency or addiction, don’t put off seeking help. There’s no reason to wait until next year rolls around when you can make a difference now. Recovery is a gift you can give yourself that can last the rest of your life.
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