Photo by Jamie Street on Unsplash

Is it really the last day of 2019? We’ve had an inspiring year here at Kembali Recovery Center, filled with milestones and some truly heartening recovery stories. We’re so touched to have had the opportunity to share our own experience, strength, and hope with our clients and members of our recovery community here in Bali. And it’s also been a joy to glean inspiration from our fellows – we learn so much from one another, and it’s a real privilege to have these connections. 

Intention-setting can be profoundly beneficial to long-term sobriety, and since we’re entering into a new decade, we thought we’d dedicate a post to some of our favorite recovery resolutions:

• Start a meditation practice (or build upon one you already have). Meditation is a great way to quiet the mind, and studies show that people in recovery who meditate also have fewer cravings – bonus! Meditation is a great way to deal with emotions in a healthy way and without drugs or alcohol. It can really enhance the recovery process and often even helps to prevent relapse. Plus, it’s just an awesome way to stay centered, grounded, and serene, regardless of whether or not you’re in recovery.
• Be of service. If you’re part of a recovery program, like AA, NA, or any other twelve-step program (or non-twelve step recovery program even), then you likely know how beneficial being of service can be. Whether you volunteer your time with any number of charities or you give back to your program (à la the 12th step) by sponsoring, chairing meetings, or picking up any variety of commitments, service work is just a great way to get out of your own head. It keeps your mind off cravings while building a sense of purpose. It’s fulfilling work and it’s also a great way to connect with others. 
• Share more at meetings and become an active participant. Once again, if you’re a member of a recovery program and you’ve been simply listening and learning up through now, perhaps it’s time to start giving back by being an active participant. No doubt, your own experience in recovery will be of benefit to other sober members of your fellowship and it’s another really great (and easy) way to be of service. This can really enhance your recovery tenfold. 
• Work a stronger program. No one here is saying you don’t work a strong program already (we really have no idea!). But if you work any kind of a program, then regardless of whether you trickle in and out of meetings occasionally, or you’re an everyday meeting goer or a super stepper, or you’re just kind of half in, there’s ALWAYS something new you can do to enhance your program. And this doesn’t mean you have to devote your life or your firstborn to the program. Maybe it just means, say, you work a certain step a little bit more frequently (if you’re in a twelve-step program), like incorporating a daily tenth step practice into your program if you don’t already do this. Or picking up an extra service commitment if you’re feeling a little withdrawn from the fellowship. This can work wonders for your overall well-being and it’s another superb way to boost your recovery. 
• Exercise more. Once again, we here have zero idea how active you are, but if you don’t have some type of physical exercise routine that you’re into, whether that’s going to the gym, surfing, jogging, yoga, or whatever you’re into, perhaps start something new. Exercise is a phenomenal way to boost endorphins and our other favorite little brain chemical–dopamine! It also works wonders when it comes to curbing your cravings, and it involves zero chemical substance. It also comes free of a hangover which we think is pretty dang groovy. 
• Adopt healthier eating habits. If your diet is already in check, then you’re two steps ahead here. If you know that you tend to hit the fast-food window a little too often, however, and it’s dragging your energy levels down, it could be time to start adding in some more greens. We certainly don’t want to sound like nagging parents (remember, everything on this list is merely a suggestion), but healthy eating habits are good for us and like meditation and exercise, they have a very positive effect on our moods and our brain chemistry. You don’t have to go to extremes, and also keep in mind that if you’re prone to eating disorders, you should definitely discuss any dietary adjustments with a professional. But if you just want to clean up your diet a bit, then you may very well be surprised at just how good you feel. Let’s hear it for that dopamine boost again, hey?!

Let’s face it, most of us in recovery have some wreckage from our past, and setting positive intentions is something that can allow us to move forward in different areas of our lives. It builds our self-esteem as we move through our recovery and in this way, it can really help us to stay clean, happy, and to lead fulfilling lives, moving forward. In recovery, we truly do get to become better people which feels really good. Also, setting intentions doesn’t mean that you have to tick everything off of your bucket list. Our lives are constantly changing and evolving, and growth is a slow process (in a good way!). Baby steps are where it’s at, so take it easy–enjoy the slow and steady journey and soak up all the recovery awesomeness that you can. Oh yeah, and happy new year! If all you did today was wake up sober, you are an absolute miracle.

Kembali Recovery Center is here for you

If you or someone you love is struggling to get clean, Kembali Recovery Center can help. Contact us today to learn more about our Residential Treatment Program as well as our Recovery and Beyond Program for those already in recovery who just want to dig deeper. You never have to do this alone.