4 Priorities for Continued Sobriety

Sobriety is a much larger discipline than developing a logical aversion to substance abuse. It starts there for sure and we’ve spoken often on the path to retraining the neurological pathways that form habits to lead in different directions other than reaching for a drink or other substance. On this journey of self improvement, we ask ourselves why we want to be sober. Inevitably it leads to realizing we have higher values in life that outweigh ‘giving up’ and escaping our own existence. This brings us face to face with the real bear in the forest, our own sense of being and mental health. As we develop our ongoing plans for continued sobriety, that becomes synonymous with developing priorities for positive mental health. Like an athlete training for a marathon, we need a plan, to set priorities that reign above all else in how to live our daily lives.

Number one; set time aside from the noise of our minds to breathe and just be. A daily habit to exercise the mind to stop thinking is invaluable. The truth is that many of us suffer a pain of existence. We take our experiences, relationships, fomo, comparisons, self introspection and so many other thoughts and dwell on them in pain. For the most part, just about all the part our mind spins making things up creating a perspective of pain that is entirely unfounded. Meditating or undertaking any activity that frees us from that focus is invaluable in our ongoing mental health.

Number two; open up our lives to being ready to volunteer to help other life. Don’t worry if the options don’t appear right away but make yourself open to being a good person. Bountiful options to help people, nature or even your pet friends will appear. Few things embrace personal happiness more than living for others.

Number three; maintain your health. Your body is your temple and when it operates better, it leaves room for better focus on the world around and within you. Diet, stretching, using your muscles and cardiovascular system will make you live longer and live better in terms of adventures that enrich your life. Equally important is being conscious of activities and environments to place yourself in that embrace mental wellbeing.

Number four; embrace being part of all the life that you are interconnected with, in nature and humanity. The humanity part can be the hardest part as we really need our self confidence to feel comfortable there but it definitely adds to our mental peace and an easier, more fulfilling way to achieve that interaction is through volunteering. Nature on the other hand is abundant and benevolent in being there to enrich our life and we should strive to be with her, every moment we get, appreciating her diversity, beauty and the cosmic intelligence that is the life we are part of.