By the time we reach mid-life, we’re generally more self-aware than we were in our younger years, and this bodes well for recovery. Self-reflection in recovery is absolutely essential for long-term successful sobriety, and it can even help transform your life.

Reflection in Recovery Improves Self-Awareness

Reflection in recovery helps you stay aware of your thoughts and emotions, which is crucial for preventing relapse. Self-destructive patterns of thinking, negative self-talk and unpleasant emotions can quickly lead you back to drinking or using drugs if you don’t confront them. Reflection in recovery helps you become aware of your negative thought patterns and emotions and identify what’s causing them.

By addressing their roots and mindfully shifting your thoughts and emotions toward the positive, you improve your overall mindset. You reduce your chances of turning to drugs or alcohol in an attempt to feel better about yourself or to stop the unhappy thoughts and negative emotions.

Reflection in Recovery Improves Your Happiness

Knowing yourself is a powerful tool for achieving authentic happiness. Self-reflection uncovers all sorts of important truths about yourself. It helps you identify your core strengths, values and virtues. It helps you understand what gives you a sense of purpose and meaning in life. It heightens your spiritual awareness. And it helps you develop a stronger self-identity and dramatically improve your self-esteem.

Daily reflection in recovery helps you live honestly and beautifully. When you become aware of and spend time evaluating your thoughts, attitudes, beliefs, ideas and behaviors, it’s easier to find the truth and be honest with yourself and others. It leads you to be your authentic self, and this can dramatically improve your level of happiness and well-being.

How to Improve Self-Reflection in Recovery

You can do a number of things to promote daily reflection in recovery. Here are some powerful ways to improve self-awareness, increase spirituality and bring more peace and happiness to your life.

Practice yoga. Yoga improves your physical and mental flexibility. It helps you focus your mind and body in the present, where you’re aware of your thoughts and how your mind and body feel. Daily yoga can help improve both your physical and mental health and sense of well-being.

Meditate. Daily meditation not only reduces stress and improves how you respond to outside events, but it also dramatically improves psychological balance and enhances overall health and well-being.1 Regular meditation practice helps you stay rooted in the present moment, always aware of your current state of mind and emotions.

Keep a journal. Recording your thoughts and feelings on paper is a powerful tool for improving your level of self-awareness, and it gives you the opportunity to periodically look back and see how much you’ve learned and how far you’ve come. Writing helps you manage and learn from negative experiences, and as an added bonus, it actually improves your immune system.2

Take care of yourself. Excellent self-care is an important form of reflection in recovery. Taking good care of your mind and body helps you stay focused on your health and well-being. Every day, eat healthy food, exercise, get a good night’s sleep and enjoy periods of rest and relaxation. Every day, do some things you enjoy and express gratitude for the good things in your life.

Reflection in recovery is a fundamental tool for not only staying sober but also enjoying your sobriety and the good things it brings to your life. Strive to stay aware of your thoughts and emotions, and practice deliberate self-reflection every day. Soon, you’ll see an inevitable improvement in your quality of life and commitment to recovery.

References:

  1. https://nccih.nih.gov/health/meditation/overview.htm
  2. https://www.apa.org/monitor/jun02/writing.aspx​