Vacation might be out of the question this year, even as restrictions are lifted and we are finally able to emerge from isolation. However, that doesn’t mean you can’t do something nice for yourself, and doing so can actually help bolster your recovery. If you’re looking for affordable ways to look, feel, and be your very best, the tips below can help.
Manage Your Nutritional Intake
The food you put into your body is broken down into two categories: waste and nutrition. The latter of these is important because the vitamins, minerals, and nutrients in every bite have an impact on your physical and mental health. Advanced Body Scan explains that food affects your body much like dirt and sunlight affect your garden. Given the right combination of nutrients, your body, like a garden with good soil and ample sunlight, will be its very best.
When your mental health suffers, like many in recovery given the last few months of social distancing, replace some of your unhealthy snack foods with those that can help fight depression while boosting your physical well-being. Bananas, berries, walnuts, and yogurt, for example, are tasty and low-cost substitutions for things like pudding and candy bars. While you may ingest a similar number of calories in the process, they won’t be empty, and they will fuel you the right way with each and every bite.
Learn How to Be Mindful
Start your day each morning by being mindful of yourself and your surroundings. Doing so costs you nothing, but offers a plethora of rich rewards. When you do things like write in a journal, daydream, meditate, or let go of stress, you clear your mind in a positive way and make room for happiness, hopefulness, and openness.
Mindfulness is commonly used in addiction recovery, and it is something that, once mastered, you can use it anytime you need to center yourself. It allows you to connect with yourself at an intimate level, which is one of the most beneficial things you can do as you navigate sobriety.
Exercise
If you’ve never heard of “runner’s high,” it’s a term you should look into. Runner’s high is essentially the feeling of elation you get after a great exercise session. It happens because your brain releases endorphins, which, according to Runner’s World, are feel-good hormones that act as natural painkillers. Exercising just 30 minutes each day can trigger this chemical reaction, and it may even be a healthy and natural replacement for your drug of choice.
Unfortunately, if you jump straight into an exercise routine without being properly conditioned or having the right clothing or gear, you may wind up hurting yourself, and that can lead to discouragement and frustration. However, if you don’t have the money to invest in an expensive gym membership or a pricey personal trainer, consider taking advantage of online promotional codes to athletic wear companies like Finish Line. New footwear and some comfortable running pants are essentially all you need to enjoy a jog around the block; even if your area is still under quarantine restrictions, exercise is an essential activity during the recovery process.
Whether you’ve lost your job because of the pandemic or your bank account was already suffering because of your addiction, the tips outlined above can help you regain control of your life and take care of yourself without undue financial stress. Self-care, however, is not something you should avoid. Even low and no-cost strategies can help you feel like a better person no matter where you are in your journey.
Cheryl Conklin created Wellness Central from her desire to share various resources and her thoughts on wellness. Apart from blogging, she enjoys traveling and going on endless adventures, and writing about her experiences at the end of the day.
