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If you're in the early days of your sobriety, it can feel like you have a long road ahead. Put one foot in front of the other with these self help tips.

Did you know that over 15 million Americans struggle with alcohol abuse?

Addiction is a lot more common than most people would believe because it's so hard to get sober. If you're taking the brave step to start your sobriety journey, being prepared can help you succeed.

Do you want to learn how to make your recovery period more manageable? Keep reading for 5 self-help tips that can help you stay clean.

1. Nourish Your Body with a Proper Diet

Understanding how our bodies process foods and drinks can help with alcohol recovery. Giving your body proper fuel will give you more inspiration to stay sober.

Since our bodies convert alcohol into sugar, quitting can make you feel lethargic. If you replace alcohol with unhealthy sugars from other sources, you'll go through a bunch of sugar highs and lows. During your recovery, it's important to monitor your sugar intake to avoid mood swings that could cause you to relapse.

2. Grow Your Support System

Developing an addiction can be an isolating experience. One reason why it's hard to get help for alcohol abuse is that addictions can push loved ones away. The key to staying sober is building a support system of people who will help you recover.

If you don't know anybody who you feel comfortable confiding in, going to AA meetings and finding an AA sponsor can help you feel less alone during this tough process.

3. Identify and Avoid Triggers That Make You Want to Drink

One of the best strategies to quit drinking is to understand what makes you want to drink and then remove those triggers. If you're a social drinker, staying away from bars or other drinking environments can help you stay sober. If you're an emotional drinker, finding healthier coping mechanisms will give you more strength to resist the temptation to relapse.

4. Exercise for a Healthier Body and Mind

Although plenty of people hate the idea of exercising, they feel great once they start moving. Addictions wreak havoc on our physical and emotional wellbeing, so exercising more often can help you start to reverse those damages. It's never too late to start.

Another benefit of regular exercise is that you'll be supplying your body with feel-good endorphins. This boost in your mood can help you stay on track.

5. Find New Ways to Stay Occupied

Drinking or planning how you'll get your next drink takes up a lot more time than you'd expect. Once you quit, you may have too much free time. Since boredom can cause people to relapse, finding healthier ways to occupy your time is necessary for your recovery.

Trying different hobbies, volunteering, and learning new skills can be fun and rewarding. Have fun and keep experimenting with different activities until you find your favorites.

These Self-Help Tips Are Crucial for Your Sobriety

With these 5 self-help tips, you'll be able to take control of your health and continue on your path to recovery. Although staying sober is challenging, having the right tools and support can make all the difference.

Do you want to learn more ways you can improve your lifestyle? If so, Counsel & Heal has everything you need to succeed. Explore our blog for more helpful health tips.