How To Enjoy The Holidays Sober Without Losing Your Mind

How To Enjoy The Holidays Sober Without Losing Your Mind

Well, itโ€™s that time again. Love it or leave it, the holiday season is upon us. Although this time of year brings both joy and stress to most, for those in recovery living a sober lifestyle, it can present additional pressure and worry. From intense relatives to boozy holiday parties, the strains of the season abound. Thereโ€™s good news, however. With a little prep and the right mindset, some holiday cheer can be had. Here are 4 tips for a smoother, saner, holiday season:

1.Keep it Simple

Thereโ€™s no denying it. Much of the holiday mayhem we bring upon ourselves. From outrageous expectations of greeting-cardlike glory to packed schedules and overcommitting, the holidays are often stressful because weโ€™veย agreedย to it, however unconsciously. Consider scaling back this year for your sanity. Do you need to work overtime and buy expensive gifts? Is itย reallyย necessary to bite off more than you can chew to please others?

Slowing down and taking it easy can be the secret to success for holiday sanity. Keeping it simple means keeping your sights fixed on what really mattersโ€”connecting with others, maintaining your sobriety, and staying present, one day at a time. Try it! You might actually enjoy your holidays this year.

Sober

2. Lower your Expectations

For many of us, the holidays are loaded with expectations. Maybe you are secretly hoping that your significant other has splurged on the perfect gift. Maybe you have visions of twinkling lights and contented time with family and friends. Or perhaps youโ€™re expecting some other version of a Hollywood holiday, full of blissful moments.

The realityโ€”as hard as it can be swallowโ€”is that despite the hype, a holiday is just another day. Keeping expectations low doesnโ€™t mean you have to be a Grinch, or even that the season wonโ€™t have its bright spots. It just means that you are less likely to deal with emotions like resentment, frustration, and stress if you keep your expectations in check.

Who knows, your family or partnerย mightย surprise you with the perfect gift. But if they donโ€™t? Well, no sweat. There will surely still be some good somewhere, even if you have to squint hard to see it.

3. First Things Firstย 

Ah, this old 12-step adage still has its mileage! “First things first” is as simple as it sounds. It simply means getting clear on what matters and prioritizing it. In this case, recovery. Maintaining sobriety through the ups and downs of life often involves making sure recovery comes at the top of the list. That looks like making sure you are doing everything necessary to stay clean and sober on a daily basis, no matter whatโ€™s going on.

Get to support group meetings, stay in touch with your sponsor or sober community, and attend to whatever else you do for the upkeep of your recovery. Most people with happy, long-term sobriety find that sticking with your commitments throughout the holidays can make the difference between a sane, sober holiday season or a miserable one.

4.Get into Service

When all else fails, get into service! If youโ€™ve got no one to spend the occasion with, are dogged by memories of disastrous holidays past, estranged from family and friends, or just struggling to piece together a few days sober, youโ€™re not alone. Many, many people have little or nothing to celebrate this time of year.

Finding those who need connection, support, or help can helpย brings the added benefit of helping youย rise above your problems and find some gratitude. Many social service agencies and non-profits offer volunteer opportunities around this time of year, and countless alcoholics and addicts near you could use a friend. Looking for people to help and getting into action can brighten any mood, on any day. Take our word for it.

Living Sober is Possible

Whatever your situation, we wish you luck this holiday season. Hereโ€™s hoping it brings you joy, peace, and a sense of whatโ€™s possible when sober! If you are ready to change your lifestyle, please contact us today!

GET HELP
It's not the end. It's the beginning.