Staying Connected Is Important This Holiday Season
For everyone in America, the holiday season is upon us. Life is not quite what anybody expected when we first learned about COVID-19. It's essential to know about staying connected to others in recovery during this pandemic, especially.
Today, there are a lot of uncertainties that remain. It's easy to feel lonely, scared, or isolated. These emotions, coupled with the pandemic's isolation, can be dangerous to people new to recovery. If this sounds like you, remember: this too shall pass. And make a plan to keep in touch with others this season.
Feeling Your Feelings
Many people have different feelings, sometimes conflicting, about the holidays. You may have regrets about your life or feel sad about missing a friend or your family. Those feelings are normal. Learning to cope with your emotions is an integral part of recovery.
It's okay to feel sad. If you're feeling lonely or regretful about your past holidays, try writing a letter to a loved one about your feelings. You don't have to send it, but take the time to write it and think about your feelings.
Once you've written those feelings down, you can put them aside to deal with on another day. Get connected with others in your recovery network and family.
Staying Connected Using Technology
There are many ways to stay in touch with others when it comes to technology. Zoom meetings have shown to be one of the best formats for 12-step meetings and video conferences.
Science has shown that when people connect with others via video chat, the stimulation is more helpful than texting or calling—Videoconferencing one of the most strongly stimulates us as interacting one-on-one.
There are a few ways you can use video chat when staying connected with others. First, you should be attending 12-step meetings regularly via Zoom or other venues. You can do this via your cell phone's video camera or via computer. You can also meet up to chat with recovery friends regularly during the holidays to unload and sympathize.
Getting Help for Addiction
If you or somebody you love has a problem with substances, there's help available. We offer a serene, fulfilling environment where you can begin to build a foundation in recovery. Give us a call to learn more about what options are available to you: US (949) 279-1376 or MX (612) 153-5726 to learn more about our programs.