Transform Your Life: 6 Benefits of New Year’s Resolutions in Recovery

Individuals in recovery are typically encouraged to take one day at a time. Looking too far into the future can be overwhelming, especially for someone newly in recovery. But that doesn’t mean you shouldn’t set goals, which are really what New Year’s Resolutions are–goals we set for ourselves for the year ahead.

Resolutions or goals can go one of two ways: Done correctly, resolutions can motivate us to achieve the goal we set, but executed poorly, and the same resolutions can fill us with dread, apprehension, and anxiety. It’s important to make resolutions that maximize our chances of sticking with them and that the resolutions we make promote good mental health and well-being.

So where should you start? Begin by reading the amazing benefits that setting new goals can bring:

Resolutions Can Reinforce the One-Day-at-a-Time Focus in Recovery

One problem with many New Year’s resolutions is that they tend to be drastic, which can quickly feel overwhelming. In recovery, the goal is sustained sobriety and the method to do so is about focusing on one day–sometimes even one hour–at a time. Mistakes happen, but it’s important to take responsibility for those mistakes in recovery. If you want to try something new, like learning a new hobby, do one thing that supports that goal today and that’s it. Tomorrow is a whole new day to repeat the process.

Goals Can Motivate You to Recruit or Strengthen Your Support Group

You are more likely to follow through on something when others encourage you to do so. Try making a resolution that your spouse, friend, or healthcare professional supports. If, for instance, you resolve to move your body more, get a workout partner who will hold you accountable.

Resolutions Can Show You That You Can Accomplish Big Things–One Step at a Time

A friend, who is in recovery, wants to run a half marathon next year. He hasn’t run one in 11 years. First step? Signing up for a race a few months down the road, which he plans to do with a friend. Sometimes, just signing up is motivation enough to start training. For him, instead of jumping right into an intimidating training plan, he’s going to reach out to a few friends who run and set up a weekly group run. With these running buddies–and sometimes on his own–he will gradually increase his mileage until he’s ready for the race.

Goals Can Improve Your Mental Health

In recovery, you work every day to stay sober. You’re never expected to be perfect, and you should acknowledge and celebrate the small victories–like not drinking each day. So your New Year’s resolution should be the same. If, for instance, you want to lose 10 pounds, celebrate when you hit the halfway mark and shed 5 pounds. Reward your progress by buying yourself a little something or spending uninterrupted time doing something you love. Positive self-talk and healthy rewards like this can help you succeed in meeting your goal.

Resolutions Remind You to Practice Compassion for Yourself

Above everything else, it’s important to remember to be kind to yourself when setting resolutions or goals. Setbacks will happen. You may temporarily injure yourself when training for a race, put on a few pounds while on vacation, or give in to the temptation to have a drink when you’re on the road for work. A setback is not a failure. Instead of beating yourself up, pick up where you left off.

Goals Can Help Prevent Relapse

Perhaps the most significant benefit of setting goals for yourself in recovery is that it can help you work towards a healthy goal that helps you remain substance-free.

If you or someone you love is struggling in their recovery–frequently relapsing or experiencing uncontrolled substance use–American Addiction Centers (AAC) can help. AAC operates treatment centers throughout the United States and can help you overcome your addiction. Even if you’re not yet ready to talk to someone, you can receive text support 24/7.