Tricks of the Recovery Trade

So, I was just washing my face and I realized that I haven't put much up about all of the little things that you can do to boost your recovery odds. Why did I realize this after washing my face? Because I have "YOU ARE BEAUTIFUL. Don't Fixate" written on the mirror in my bathroom =D

Although these things are targeted more towards the eating disordered population, I think that just about everyone could utilize them in the pursuit of a healthier and more peaceful frame of mind. After all, our bodies run on food.

Five Easy Things to Bolster Your Recovery

FIRST AND FOREMOST IS TO JOURNAL!

• If there is one thing and only one thing that I can tell people who are looking to change their frame of mind to do it would be to JOURNAL! 
• Now, if you are in the depths of recovery, then you should be trying to journal all day everyday. Journal before meals, after meals, when you talk to your family, when you see a TV add that upsets you, and yeah basically all the time. Now, that doesn't mean that you need to spend half an hour dedicated to putting thoughts on paper. In fact, quick 5-10 minute blips can be quite revealing.
• If you are later on in recovery, then you would probably benefit more for doing the daily (or even weekly) verbose check in with yourself. Just dedicate one hour a week or twenty minutes every day to silencing your cell phone and allowing your thoughts to run wild. It really helps you to connect dots in your life that aren't as apparent when the thoughts are just swirling in your head.
• If you are a skeptic of the benefits of journaling, then here are a few links to verify its usefulness:
• This one is a bit oriented towards those who are in therapy Journaling in Therapy
• For those of you who are more creative Visual Jouranling
• A bit forthright and simple Health Benefits of Journaling

Pack Snacks

• Your body needs food, every 2-3 hours. We are all busy; but that just means that we have to plan ahead:
• I stash my glove box with protein bars. I literally cram the thing until it is difficult to close it.
• I keep a gallon sized bag of nuts in my car. Then I will either stash the whole thing in my purse or scoop out a handful when I go to run an errand.
• I also keep Emergen-C, Vitamin Waters, and Protein shakes in my trunk. These are for a last resort; but, if I am stuck in rush hour traffic, at least I have something.
• You should never force your body to function on empty. That puts strain on your mind and body. In fact, your body will start to go into survival mode after being nutrient deprived for only a few hours. This limits your cognitive abilities and raises your level of stress. So, plan ahead and don't leave room for excuses.

Place Positive Affirmations Everywhere

• Just like my message on my mirror, I keep little trinkets that remind me I am loved:
• A note from a best friend in my wallet
• A picture of my daughter on my phone and my laptop
• A necklace of my mom's around my neck
• A ring from my boyfriend on my finger that says "Be the change you wish to see in the world" 
• A message on my mirror that tells me to step back
• A tattoo on my wrist saying "Bigger Life"
• I find that physical reminders do better than little memos; but, memos to yourself can be a good place to start since it has taken me years to accumulate all of these trinkets.
• Put post its on your mirrors with hearts and kiss prints.
• Write different affirmations to yourself on your mirror or your fridge in dry erase marker
• "I AM Beautiful"
• "Today, I will smile all day long"
• "I have worked very hard to get here, I will keep going"
• whatever it is that speaks to you and gives you a little boost
• Put things on your sun visor that make you smile
• In general, act like you are in middle school and grafiti everything you own to be positive ;)
• For those of you that aren't in desperate need of positive affirmations; but could still use a boost when say 3:00pm rolls around? Try setting up a recurring event on your phone that goes off everyday and has a picture of a cute kitten or whatever your cup of tea is ;)
• For anyone interested in the importance of staying positive check out this article Eight Keys to Life Hardiness

Find Your Flow

• This is something that I try to push onto everybody that I know because I think that it is crucially important. However, I find that it is an enormous challenge for anyone in recovery. When you have spent years on auto pilot, it is difficult to recognize the things that really pull you into a higher state of being. 
• I am going to let another article do the talking for me on this one. Flow is something that has been researched out the ass; but, this article sums it up pretty nicely for you Finding "Flow" This Week 
• I cannot tell you how much I love blogging. I can spend an hour on this and it passes by like it was nothing. Yet, I feel so much better and more enthusiastic about my life when I complete a post. Blogging is just one of my flow states. I have around 4. Find a few for yourself. Enjoy the adventure of trying different things until you find something that really envelopes you :)

Your Body IS a Temple

• This is one that applies to everyone. You cannot reach a higher state of being if you are not treating your body like a higher being. 
• I cannot stress enough how important it is to watch what you put into your body. Excessive consumption of alcohol, caffeine, over the counter medication, food that is devoid of real nutrients (I am all for eating what you want; but nacho sauce from 7-Eleven is not nutritionally sound), sodium, and a slew of other toxins can weigh you down physically and mentally. You won't be capable of fighting the good fight towards a sound mind if your body is being treated like a toxic waste dump. You only get one body, be good to it.
• Another thing that one needs to get enough of is sleep. You must get rest. Some people only need 6 hours to make it through a full day, others need 10 hours just to function. Honor what your body needs. Turn down plans if you need to catch up on sleep. You won't be much fun if you are thinking about how long you have until bedtime anyway.
• I am all for freedom of sexual expression. Truly, do what you want with who you want. This is the 21st century. Just, please, be smart about it. This applies to everyone; but, there is a huge body of evidence to support the notion that females who suffer from eating disorders have a higher incidence of sexual promiscuity. That can completely defeat your self esteem. Personally, I run a relatively exclusive club. It makes me feel special.

There you go! Journal, eat regularly, give yourself positive affirmations, find your flow, and treat your body like the temple that it is!

<3