One of the best things you can do to safeguard your sobriety is to work on your self-esteem. After all, the better you feel about yourself and who you are and what you do, the more motivation you’ll have for staying healthy and sober. Plus, raising your self-esteem will make you feel more deserving of all of the good things in life. The result: More motivation to go after those long-term recovery goals.
Luckily, self-esteem is a mindset that you can work on daily. Here are some things to keep in mind while building (or rebuilding) confidence in yourself.
Quiet your inner critic. While you may not be able to get rid of those negative thoughts in your head, you can learn to accept and move past them – or redirect them to something more positive.
Show self-appreciation. Take a few minutes each day to slow yourself down and really think about 3 things you appreciate about yourself. Write it down and then refer to it when you need a quick confidence booster.
Replace perfectionism. Few thought habits can be so destructive to your sobriety as perfectionism. This is partly because perfectionism distorts your view of reality, which can promote addiction and/or interfere with your recovery.
Handle mistakes in a more positive way. Especially when you go outside your comfort zone, you’re bound to stumble or even fall along the way. Be kind and remind yourself that it’s okay and normal to make mistakes in life.
Be your own best friend. Instead of beating yourself up, ask yourself: How would I support or help my friend/parent in this situation? Then do things and talk to yourself like you would your friend/family member.
A Healthy Mindset at NorthStar TransitionsAt NorthStar Transitions, our general wellness programs can help you or someone you love develop healthy habits and routines that you can continue to use long after discharge from treatment. To learn about our addiction services, call today: 303-558-6400.
