Addiction Treatment Promotes Happiness, Productivity and Freedom
Adobe conducted a survey in 2012 among residents of the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, France, and Japan, and found that while the vast majority of respondents agreed that creative people make valuable contributions to society, only about a quarter of respondents felt they were fully realising their creative potential. Seventy-five percent said "efficiency" was more valued than "creativity" by their employers.
While some hippies and artists claim that "getting high" helps them be more creative, many drug users are actually trying to escape the pain of feeling blocked from pursuing their passions and dreams. However, this approach is counterproductive because it reinforces the vicious cycle of suffering and ill health by reducing effort and creativity and heightening feelings of hopelessness and the need to escape.
However, getting sober is only half of what makes recovery successful; the other half is discovering and exploring one's unique passions and purpose in life. Increased well-being, efficiency, creativity, and enjoyment are all outcomes of healing (also known as self-fulfillment). This brief article will demonstrate how to do so by providing guidelines for engaging in addiction treatment as well as healthy and creative activities on a daily basis.
IN THE UNIVERSE OF IMAGINATION
The health, happiness, and even productivity you gain from engaging in creative "side jobs" outside of work is worth the time and effort it takes to devote to them on a regular basis. Genuine healing (the kind that goes beyond abstinence to accept sound mental health) is taking hold when the individual is actively engaged in a hobby, routinely delighting in opportunities to develop for the sake of creating.
The arts and physical activity are two types of leisure pursuits that have been shown to benefit mental health.
- Knitting \sNeedlepoint
- Pottery \sPainting \sSketching
- Cooking
- Adventure Sports Cycling Aerobics
Schedule at least one "creative" and one "workout" activity each week, but don't join anything because you've heard it's "great for you." Finding your own way back to health means pursuing whatever activities and interests you enjoy most.
LIFESTYLE DEVELOPMENT AND ECONOMIC RECOVERY
Seeking out "fun" activities that are also personally fulfilling, such as those in the realms of education and employment, can aid in recovery. For instance, a 2016 study of one Collegiate Recovery Program found that recovery-engaged college students were more likely to graduate, achieve higher GPAs, and appear more frequently on their schools' deans' and president's lists.
When you're in school (or planning to go back), "daily work" can help you get better by forcing you to do things like:
It's more important to find a career that allows you to put your unique skills and interests to use than it is to focus on the financial rewards or social status the field may provide. Your healing therapists can point you in the right direction if you've never taken the time to assess your own passions before.
Seek out ways to go above and beyond what is expected of you, not just to win favour with your boss but also to show initiative by seeking out and completing tasks that have meaning for you.
Trying not to have conversations around the water cooler about how hard the task is or how much you can't wait for the weekend. Seek out upbeat friends and engage them in conversations where positive goals and aspirations are regularly emphasised.
DRENCHED IN SWEAT ON THE JOB
More than anything else, volunteering for a cause that means something to you will help you heal and give you a sense of direction in life. According to a UnitedHealth Group study titled "Health and Volunteering" from 2013, many people begin volunteering for the express purpose of improving their health.
The UnitedHealth study also found:
Many people who volunteer report "feeling better as a result" of their service, especially those who have been battling chronic health conditions (likely including addictioni). A significant percentage of volunteers (one-quarter) report that their service is aiding them in managing a long-term health issue.
Ninety-six percent of people who volunteered at least once in the previous year reported feeling more fulfilled as a result.
Ninety-four percent reported an enhancement in their mental state.
Eighty percent say they feel more in charge of their health and have a better grasp on their unique conditions as a result.
Seventy-eight percent reported feeling less anxious after making an offer.
Choose volunteer opportunities that resonate with your sense of purpose and enthusiasm, just as you would with hobbies and paid work.
RECONCILIATION, PURPOSE, AND THE SPIRITUAL LIFE
One of the most important aspects of having a sense of meaning in life is believing that what you do (and are) contributes to something larger than yourself, something eternal and transcendent. Twenty-one percent of people polled in a 2010 study by the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration cited "faith in a Higher Power" as a factor in their success in overcoming addiction. It is clear that the "Higher Power" concept is fundamental to the success of the time-tested "12 Steps" and countless other rehabilitation plans.
No matter what you believe, it's important to tend to your spiritual health by doing these things:
Practiced on a regular basis: prayer and/or meditation
Taking time to tune in to your internal and external environments through mindfulness practise.
Inspirational/religious book reading
Spending time in prayer or meditation while listening to uplifting music
Participating in Spiritual Groups or Worship Services
Spending time in nature allows you to take in the world around you with fresh eyes and ears.
And remember to let your true self shine through in everything you do. That is one of the most important things in the world because it helps people feel better and gives them a purpose in life.
Source
