Tips for stress-free holiday celebrations while remaining committed to recovery.
Tis the season for giving, sparkly lights, and… stress. For people in recovery, it can feel like triggers lurk around every corner during the holidays. But so do opportunities to commit to healing and connect with what really matters.
Although it’s unlikely you can avoid all the stressors of the season, you can prepare yourself for what’s to come. With a bit of planning and foresight, the holidays in recovery might not be so bad after all. In fact, they may even be a great time!
Strategies for a Sober Holiday Season
Everyone in recovery has their own unique ways of managing the stressors of the winter season. With festivities often involving drinking, eating, and indulgence, it can be challenging. However, it is important to stay firm in your decisions, even when well-meaning relatives and friends are persistent.
The good news is, this year, you can celebrate the holidays the way you want to. By putting your best interests first and focusing on recovery goals, you may even learn something new about yourself.
Prioritize Your Well-Being
Part of recovery is learning about boundaries. For better or worse, the holidays provide plenty of teachable moments about setting boundaries that prioritize your well-being.
For some, one of the hardest parts of the holidays is being around family and friends. Although many of them mean well, they might be unaware of how to support you in your new journey. Use this as an opportunity to exercise your ability to say no.
It’s perfectly okay to turn down invitations featuring alcohol, substances, or other triggers like people or places. If you feel pressured to show up, consider sitting down with a counselor or sponsor to discuss how to approach it. Brainstorm how to hold a conversation when a simple “can’t make it this year” isn’t enough.
Time heals. In the coming years, many traditions won’t be as challenging as they are now. In the meantime, saying no to something means saying yes to something else. Skipping a party leaves you open to see a movie, cook a special dinner or just relax. Most importantly, you’ll be free to attend a meeting that keeps you moving forward.
With these strategies, you can prioritize your well-being and enjoy stress-free holiday celebrations that align with your recovery journey.
Redirect Your Energy
You may not have realized how much energy you gave to substance use. This can become especially obvious with time off for the holidays. It’s wise to fill extra time constructively.
Redirect reclaimed free time by establishing new, sober traditions and hobbies. Try something completely different.
Ideas for sober holiday celebrations include:
- Holiday cookie baking, which you can give out to loved ones.
- Raid the local craft store and make DIY ornaments or cards for family.
- Perfecting a classic holiday dish like beef Wellington or a pumpkin pie from scratch.
- Christmas movie marathon, even if you don’t celebrate, there are some classics!
It’s the perfect season to flex your creative muscles. Craft stores may be offering free workshops to help you learn if a new hobby is for you. If you’re ready to dive in, paid art or cooking classes make great gifts to put on your wish list! They can also help you kick off a new trend of sober activities to share with friends and family.
Plan Ahead for a Stress-Free Holiday
You have the power to choose activities that best serve you. Make a calendar of holiday plans, events, meetings, classes, catch-ups, and appointments. This is an excellent way to stay organized despite the scattered energy of the season. It also helps you reduce triggers by reducing over-commitment anxiety and can make it easier to decline invitations.
Another part of planning is preparing an escape route. If a get-together starts to feel unsafe or you’re simply uncomfortable, be ready to leave without too much fussing.
The most essential parts of an escape plan are:
- Safe transportation back home.
- A friend to call and speak to while you’re out (and a phone charger).
- Knowing the locations of the nearest meetings.
- Having somewhere safe to go if going home is risky for relapse.
Some of these components may take some time to get in place, but you’ll be glad you did.
Having a plan in place can significantly contribute to stress-free holiday celebrations, ensuring you stay on track with your recovery goals.
Stay Charge Up
Be sure to keep your phone charged. If you feel lonely or overwhelmed, you’re a phone call away from a listening ear, like a friend, sponsor or warmline. Use a note-taking app on your phone to write down and release thoughts at the moment. If you want to escape before your ride is ready to leave, your phone is vital to summoning a rideshare.
Keep yourself charged, too. Cold weather and shorter days can take a toll on mental health. You previously self-medicated to avoid negative feelings, and now it’s time to employ healthy skills to shift your thinking. Exercise, meditation, good nutrition, writing, and spending time with substance free friends can all bolster your mood. Take measures to stay physically healthy. Don’t be afraid to reach out to a professional for support.
Embrace the Spirit of Giving
One of the best ways to help ourselves is to help others. The season of giving is the easiest time to find volunteer opportunities. Volunteering can link you to uplifting communities of productive people doing good. From soup kitchens and senior homes to animal shelters and gift drives, your time can make all the difference to others.
“It’s easier to take than to give. It’s nobler to give than to take. The thrill of taking lasts a day. The thrill of giving lasts a lifetime.” — Joan Marques
Make a habit of seeking little ways to share gratitude and kindness. Sometimes, your time or a thoughtful card dropped in the mail are the biggest gifts of all.
Contact Us Today
Trained professionals at Mahajan Therapeutics can offer support and resources to help you navigate the holidays in recovery. As a client, you will have access to comprehensive health services, such as addiction and mental health care, depending on the location. Make this New Year the best yet, and contact us to get started today.
