The renowned Buddhist monk and spiritual leader Thich Nhat Hanh famously said, “We will be more successful in all our endeavors if we can let go of the habit of running all the time, and take little pauses to relax and re-center ourselves. And we’ll also have a lot more joy in living.” This statement is symbolic of the importance of self-care, which some may lovingly call being “lazy.” Now, this is especially true in addiction recovery. It is critical that you take care of your own physical, mental, emotional, and spiritual health first in recovery. If you don’t put yourself first, it is really hard to be available for others.
Allowing Yourself to Be “Lazy” in Addiction Recovery
Now, being “lazy” in recovery doesn’t mean lying around and doing nothing. It means allowing yourself to slow down once in a while. It can be difficult to relax in recovery. After all, many people feel like they need to make up for lost time as quickly as possible. The reality is that, in addiction recovery, it is critical to stay in the present moment. As is said in 12-Step recovery, life should be lived “one day at a time.”
So, what does allowing yourself to be lazy in addiction recovery really mean? It means understanding the importance of self-care and self-love. Being “lazy” means being willing to step back when times are tough and remember to be grateful for your sobriety. Being lazy also means being strategic with one’s time.
What Does It Mean to Be “Lazy” in Addiction Recovery?
Now, being lazy doesn’t mean that one cannot have a plan of action. The more organized you are, the more opportunities you will have to be “lazy.” If you plan out your time accordingly, you can schedule healthy times for self-care and relaxation. This will not only make your recovery stronger, but it will make it more enjoyable too.
Being lazy and focusing on relaxation (including relaxation therapy) can also reduce stress. According to the peer-reviewed thesis Relaxation Techniques, by Doctors Norelli, Long, and Krepps, “Relaxation therapy has been a part of psychotherapy for ages; however, these techniques can be expanded to include diverse environments as complementary therapies to treat stress, anxiety, depression, and pain. In addition to its psychological impact, stress can cause physiological responses such as increased heart rate, palpitations, diaphoresis, shortness of breath, and muscle tension. Relaxation techniques can aid in the reduction of these unpleasant responses.”
The Importance of Relaxation and Self-Care in Recovery
The reality is that relaxation and self-care can also reduce the chances of a relapse because focusing on these aspects of recovery can take one’s mind off of cravings and “triggers.” This is important because cravings are one of the prominent predictors of relapses.
According to the peer-reviewed journal Discover Mental Health, “Craving is a well-documented experience amongst patients with substance use disorder (SUD), and a key clinical feature of the illness…. Craving is now included as part of the diagnostic criteria for SUD and is the only diagnostic feature also recognized as part of early and sustained remission. The prominent role of craving throughout the course of addiction and recovery has led to research investigating its neurobiological basis, prognostic utility, and efficacy as a therapeutic target.” This is also important because relapses are a highly common experience for people in recovery.
The reality of recovery is that relapses happen. They happen more than people realize. According to the peer-reviewed journal Middle East Current Psychiatry, Ain Shams University, “Relapse in SUD is widespread; it refers to a failure in a person’s attempt to change substance use behaviors, such as returning to pre-treatment drinking levels or continuing to use substances after a period of sobriety…. Globally, relapse rates after treatment are high; it is higher in low- and middle-income countries compared to high-income countries…. Relapse rates after treatment have been shown in other studies to be as high as 40–75% in the 3 weeks to 6 months following treatment.” However, connecting with the right recovery center can greatly reduce these relapse rates.
Connecting With the Right Recovery Center Right Away
The reality is that the recovery “industry” has boomed in recent years. While this is positive in that there are many more opportunities for people to get sober, there are also significant issues with recovery centers simply looking to cash in on someone’s misery. This is why being incredibly selective when it comes to choosing a recovery center is so critical.
Many recovery centers only offer overarching “one-note” recovery plans that fail to focus on the individual. Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™, we recognize that this type of recovery is rarely effective. It fails to meet the comprehensive standards that are required for recovery at the cellular level.
The key to a healthy and long-term recovery plan is ensuring that it is multifaceted. This is the multi-angled approach. It utilizes as many effective means, methods, and modalities as possible to help one recover by getting at the important underlying root/core causes of mental illness and addiction. This also helps one to establish a healthy plan that leaves space for self-care and being “lazy.”
Lazy vs. Practical
Now, it is important to be logical and practical when it comes to self-care. For example, it may feel like self-care to indulge in certain activities that help to fill the void that addiction once held. This may be eating unhealthy foods or avoiding physical activity. While it may feel good in the moment, ultimately it will lead to negative consequences.
It is also important to remember that “recovery burnout” is very real. So, you must remember to take time for yourself, especially when you begin to feel overwhelmed. This may look like taking a “mental health day” from work or school, or taking a solo day trip to go hiking. Getting away from that which triggers us is crucial for long-term success.
Many people don’t realize just how dangerous “burnout” can be. According to the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health, “Burnout has become one of the most important psychosocial occupational hazards in today’s society, generating significant costs for both individuals and organizations. Although burnout was initially considered to be specific to professionals working in the care of people, later evidence has shown that this syndrome can develop among all types of professions and occupational groups.” Avoiding this burnout is essential for protecting your sobriety.
Protecting Your Sobriety
So, what exactly does protecting your sobriety mean? It means that you must always put your sobriety above everything else. This often feels difficult for those in early recovery because it can feel selfish. However, it is important to remember that anything that goes before your sobriety, you may potentially lose.
For example, it may feel hard to prioritize sobriety above your family, but it is critical to remember that before getting sober, the family was severely strained. After all, addiction is a “family disease,” and more on that shortly.
Protecting your sobriety also means that sacrifices will have to be made. For example, many people are surprised that they sometimes have to make financial sacrifices to protect their sobriety. This might look like not taking a higher-paying job in early recovery because there are too many triggers involved. This is also part of establishing healthy boundaries in addiction recovery.
Establishing Healthy Boundaries in Addiction Recovery
Boundaries are a critical component of recovery. This includes the individual in recovery as well as the loved ones who surround them. If a loved one has yet to enter recovery, establishing these boundaries can be aided by an expert intervention specialist.
An intervention specialist can not only help get a loved one the help they need, but they can also help the family establish the boundaries that are needed to keep a healthy relationship while their loved one is in recovery, as well as when they return home.
These boundaries may include not allowing any alcohol or substances in the home. Regular alcohol and substance testing. It may also include creating a pact that holds an individual responsible for getting back into treatment if they relapse. Yes, this may all feel difficult at first, but in the end, it may end up saving a loved one’s life.
Healing a “Family Disease” at the Cellular Level
As previously mentioned, addiction is a family disease. This means that everyone involved feels the negative effects of addiction and not just the individual who is struggling. This is also why addiction is often referred to as a “tornado that destroys everyone and everything in its path.”
According to the peer-reviewed journal BMC Psychiatry, “Addiction is one of the biggest social problems that the current world is facing. It is a problem that does not only involves the drug user but also affects several individuals and social environments around the person. Studies have shown that the impacts of drug and alcohol use on families are undeniable and expose family members to a wide range of issues such as: socio-economic and mental health problems, abuse, conflicts, dysfunctional family structure, various issues in community life, and several problems related to married life.” This is why healing the whole family at the cellular level is so critical.
What Does It Mean to Heal at the Cellular Level?
Many people are unsure what healing at the cellular level really means. It can seem particularly hard to imagine for those who have struggled with addiction or seen a loved one struggle with addiction for an extended period of time. Yes, it can be hard to see how one can be made “whole” again.
Ultimately, healing at the cellular level is all about holistic (meaning “whole”) healing. It means recovering oneself physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. This includes getting to the critical underlying issues of addiction that were previously mentioned. It is also important to reiterate that this cellular-level healing also takes a multi-angled approach.
Embracing the Multi-Angled Approach to Recovery
A multi-angled approach should always begin with a foundation of evidence-based treatment modalities. This often includes psychotherapies like cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT) and dialectical behavior therapy (DBT).
A multi-angled approach should also include experiential therapies like nature immersion therapy and art therapy, as well as holistic healing methods. These methods may include yoga therapy, mindfulness meditation, acupuncture, and massage therapy.
The good news is that here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™, we have one of the best locations to engage in a multi-angled approach. We have an amazing luxury 30-acre property that can be utilized for horticulture therapy, as well as proximity to opportunities for nature immersion therapy and surf therapy.
Utilizing CBT in Addiction Recovery
CBT can be particularly useful for those in addiction recovery because it best gets to the “why” of addiction. After all, it is less about the addiction itself and why someone engages in their addiction. CBT helps you better understand why one has such negative views of oneself as well as the world around them.
So, what exactly is CBT? According to the Indian Journal of Psychiatry, “Cognitive behaviour therapy (CBT) is a structured, time-limited, evidence-based psychological therapy for a wide range of emotional and behavioural disorders, including addictive behaviours. CBT belongs to a family of interventions that are focused on the identification and modification of dysfunctional cognitions in order to modify negative emotions and behaviours. They also include coping skills training and problem-solving therapy. The coping skills can also be attained in DBT.
Utilizing DBT in Addiction Recovery
One of the most critical components of DBT is helping you “accept” what is happening inside yourself, as well as what is going on in the world around you. According to the peer-reviewed journal, Substance Use & Misuse, “Interestingly, DBT focuses on treating ineffective ‘problem’ behaviors instead of focusing on a specific diagnosis for treatment, which is likely why DBT is efficacious with multiple diagnoses. One of the components of DBT that may help its efficacy with so many different diagnoses is that it is philosophically built upon the dialectic of acceptance and change.”
DBT also helps one embrace self-care because it creates the path toward self-love that is often blocked prior to therapy. Holistic healing methods can also help to unblock this path.
A Focus on Holistic Healing Methods and Self-Care
The iconic yogi and spiritual teacher B.K.S. Iyengar famously said, “We must create a marriage between the awareness of the body and that of the mind. When two parties do not cooperate, there is unhappiness on both sides.” Holistic healing methods like yoga and meditation have been practiced for thousands of years. Initially, they were solely used for spiritual or religious purposes, but they have since moved into the realm of recovery.
There are also many benefits from yoga and meditation, besides preparing one for self-care. These include establishing balance in one’s life, reducing stress and anxiety, improving strength and flexibility, increasing serenity, and allowing for a greater potential for spiritual growth. These holistic healing methods also have very few side effects and can be practiced from virtually anywhere. Ultimately, when it comes to recovery, the key is to find what works for you and stick to it no matter what. Remember, put sobriety first.
Healing at the Cellular Level With Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™
Here at Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™, we believe in long-term success over short-term “fixes.” This is why all of our recovery plans are individualized and comprehensive, with a focus on the future. We believe that this is what healing at the cellular level is all about.
If you are sick and tired of being sick and tired, then the time for recovery is now. Give yourself the greatest gift of self-care and get help today. You can do this! We can help.
Many people experience recovery burnout. This is often because they try to do too much all at once. It is critical to remember the importance of relaxation (being “lazy”) in recovery if one wants to attain long-term success. The good news is that there are many effective means, methods, and modalities that can help one with their long-term recovery goals. If you feel like you or a loved one is struggling with issues of addiction, mental illness, or both, we can help get you on the right road to recovery right away. You don’t have to go through this process alone. For more information about effective recovery options, please reach out to Exclusive Hawaii Rehab™ today at (808) 775-0200.
