Sober in 2020 – You Don’t Have to Be Extra or Do More
When eagerly counting down the seconds as we entered 2020 last December, I don’t think anyone could have imagined the challenges we would soon face as a globe. The last handful of months have brought heartache, worries, and isolation and has left many of us wondering will things ever get better? (They will!) But how do we hold on until it does? Especially if you’re finding yourself Sober in 2020 while also handling the craziness of this year.
There has been so much pressure to be a better you. Learn a new skill, indulge in your hobbies, exercise daily, learn a new language, become a master baker… the list goes on and on. And for a large percentage, this pressure to be productive during such a stressful time has made this pandemic harder, and perhaps nearly impossible to stay sober in 2020. Take note, you don’t have to be extra or do more this year, or ever. It’s ok and encouraged for many to “be.”
Staying Sober When the World is Crazy
Realizing that it’s okay to just “be” will give you the strength to get through this year and allow you to let go of the idea that you need to be crazy productive right now. Spend the day in your pajamas, eat cereal for dinner, and sleep until the afternoon! We all handle stressful situations differently and the most important factor that we need to remember is to take care of your mental health and sobriety. Some easy and pressure-free tips to do this are: [1]
- Remember to take care of yourself. This can be as simple as shutting your laptop and giving yourself a break from work or even calling your mom for the third time that day. Small actions that bring a sense of relief will go a long way!
- Pay special attention to what does make you feel even slightly better. Did you open your window and enjoy the breeze? Or how about that bubble bath you took for the first time in years? Noting that simple things make you feel better (even for a brief moment) will help you to remember there are still good things in your day.
- Lower your own expectations of what you “should” be doing. Look at “should” as a bad word. Throw it out of your dictionary! Don’t let all of the social media posts make you feel like you’re failing at this pandemic. There isn’t a handbook for how to ace quarantine and really, we’re all just doing what we’re capable of at the moment. And if that means getting out of bed but skipping your shower, so be it!
- Avoid becoming “too” informed. [2] Listening to what’s going on in the world right now 24/7 would seriously affect anyone’s mental health. Take a break from the news and skip that next article with an anxiety-inducing headline. Learn what you need to, to stay safe and healthy, but then give yourself a break!
Finding Addiction Recovery to Stay Sober in 2020
At Clear Life Recovery, we understand the pressure to do more and be better, but we want you to know we think you’re doing a great job already. We also realize that it can still be hard to maintain your mental health and sobriety, and sometimes, you just need a helping hand to get you through. That is why our many addiction treatment programs are backed by an amazing team that will guide you through this year with the support, tools, and compassion you need. We will also work one on one to develop a personalized treatment program that fits you entirely.
If you feel like your days have become harder to get through and you find yourself struggling to maintain your sobriety, we urge you to call us right away. Let us take the pressure of 2020 off your shoulders and give you back the strength you had!
To hear more about our programs or to have any of your questions answered, please contact us today.
Sources:
[1] https://www.huffingtonpost.ca/entry/mental-health-coronavirus-tips_ca_5e750265c5b6f5b7c543d207
[2] https://www.who.int/docs/default-source/coronaviruse/mental-health-considerations.pdf?sfvrsn=6d3578af_8
