A fulfilled and healthy lifestyle includes healthy supports. Many people experience social anxiety, have been hurt by others, or may otherwise be reluctant to open themselves up to connect with others. Here’s an image to consider when thinking about the importance of healthy supports. If you are indoors or under some sort of roof right now, then you are benefiting from a structure of support. If you know what it’s like to not have a roof over your head, then you understand how important it is to have a reliable structure that helps provide protection from the elements. In the same way, a healthy support system helps provide us relief, protection, and guidance throughout the storms in life, including managing relapse prevention.
- For substance use recovery, options like AA, NA, Smart Recovery, Celebrate Recovery, peer support programs, recovery coaches, and other community resources that offer positive social support are common.
- For mental health supports, your community may offer free weekly/bi-weekly groups to offer psychoeducation and coping skills development for specific mental health diagnoses. Make sure you link with an individual/group therapist.
- Stay connected with healthy relationships within your family and friends who are sources of encouragement, challenge you to grow, and help bring out the best in you.
- If you want to be a pilot, don’t hang out with people that only know about asphalt. Get into the rooms where people are discussing and working towards the professional, personal, financial, vocational, spiritual, health, etc goals that you want to achieve in your own life. Find a sponsor or mentor who can provide guidance and help you stay accountable to help you make your dreams a reality. A good relationship with a strong mentor can truly change your life!
- Set and keep boundaries against people and situations that enable harmful behaviors, or are toxic to your journey of wellness! They do not share your potential to reach your goals and dreams, but they can definitely rob you of it.
