Restrictions and lockdowns have been less severe recently during the pandemic, however, social distancing and changes to your routines may have impacted your mental health. When you are experiencing any stressful change, you may risk relapse or you may need additional support to get through the challenging times. The pandemic has been harmful to nearly everyone. People have lost their jobs, missed out on time with family, found themselves bored and frustrated like never before. The harmful effects of social isolation have caused many people to reach out for help and assistance. The psychological effects of losing jobs, income, and time with family have affected people’s feelings of hope about the future.
If you are in recovery from addiction and suffering from the additional stress due to the pandemic, seek support and help now. Everlast Recovery Centers reminds all of their past clients and alumni to seek support if they are currently struggling. While the social restrictions and guidelines have become less restrictive, we are still dealing with the effects of the pandemic. We are also not entirely certain about the end of the pandemic. We are all in this together! Support is available for you and we can get through this pandemic by looking out for one another–and ourselves!
Maintaining Hope in Uncertain Times
One of the most difficult aspects of the pandemic is uncertainty. We are all asking ourselves, “When will things go back to normal?” Unfortunately, the end dates for the pandemic are dependent upon multiple factors, which makes predicting an end difficult. Find hope during these times may test your resilience and your fortitude to continue maintaining a healthy lifestyle. Just remember that though things may feel uncertain right now, they will get better. Even though we do not know an exact end date, we do know that pandemics do not last forever.
Grateful for Technology
Technology has helped many people deal with this time of increased social distancing and isolation. People have been reaching out for support over the internet or on smartphones. Imagine if this pandemic had occurred during a time without the technology of today? We are fortunate to live in a time where we can still remain connected even if we are physically apart. Support groups, like Alcoholics Anonymous, Al-anon, and others, have even developed apps to help those in recovery maintain their sobriety and continue working the 12 steps. Other peers in recovery have been reaching out to their sponsors or mentors over the phone or via video chat. Thankfully, we can all stay in touch with greater ease during this time! If you are struggling with loneliness, use the technology you have available to you to connect to the world outside.
Combating Boredom
You might be feeling bored during this time. Social distancing protocols, events being canceled, stores, and other areas having restrictions, can have a profound impact on our routines. The disruptions of your normal life may have you feeling bored. Boredom can potentially trigger addictions! Remember to keep yourself busy by engaging in meaningful diversionary activities. You may even try exploring a new hobby or interest. You may have time on your hands that you never had before. Look at these restrictions as a way of discovering new ways to keep yourself occupied. You might try online workout routines or join online book clubs. Take this time to learn some new skills or explore interests, like cooking, crafts, or other hobbies. Remember to get outdoors as well! While the time apart is disruptive and you may be worried about money, you will likely never have this time free of any obligations for some time. Try to see the value and the opportunity to work on self-improvement during this time.
Time to Reflect
You may be finding yourself wondering what life will be like when things go back to normal. What kind of life do you want for yourself following the pandemic? What are the things that you miss the most? What are the things that you miss the least? Take some time to reflect upon how this pandemic has impacted you. You may be surprised to find that you do not miss some of the aspects of life that you thought. Sometimes, social obligations and activities can be overwhelming. This may be a time to reset and rethink your priorities. Remember that as you go through this pandemic. Think about how much you miss the things that are the most important to you. These are the things that can help motivate you to get through this time clean and sober. Life will go back to normal. Be ready for when it does!
The pandemic has affected nearly everyone in the country in some way. While some people have struggled with financial issues, others had to adjust to a new way of working. Some people may have lost their jobs and have little to fill their time with. Others have felt their mental health slipping during times of uncertainty and isolation. We are all in this together! You can reach out for support if you are struggling and there are many ways available to do so! You might want to check out some apps on your smartphone for support groups and AA tips. Calling friends or using video chats can help you stay connected to those important to you. While we do not know when this pandemic will end, we have been able to bring back some things safely. Everlast Recovery Centers is still able to help those struggling during this time. We have safety measures in place to reduce the risk of exposure and keep our clients safe. If you are struggling or fearing relapse from anywhere in the country, call us at 866-DETOX-25
