By Becky McBoom

In this day and age, there is no shortage of people promoting the idea of self-care in books and on social media and television. I feel as if it’s almost become a buzzword. When we think about self-care, we often think of bubble baths, going for walks, or taking time for yourself. But self-care can encompass a whole range of things that we might not think about. 

Here are some other examples of self care:

• Going to therapy
• Setting and holding boundaries
• Journaling about the things you are grateful for
• Going to an MM or other support meeting
• Cleaning your house to make it more comforting to be in
• Drinking more water
• Getting enough sleep
• Asking someone you love for a hug
• Create something (art, a poem, a piece of furniture)
• Play your favorite song
• Minimize your screen time (especially when you first wake up and before you go to sleep)
• Yoga or simple stretching
• Engaging in hobbies
• Going to church
• Spending time with people who bring you happiness and joy
• Saying “no” more often
• Do something nice for someone else (we’ll learn more about this one in today’s activity)

Self-care is crucial for everyone, but is especially important for those of us who are abstaining from alcohol. It helps us manage our stress and regulate our emotions with healthy coping mechanisms, instead of relying on alcohol. It allows us to build up the strength we need to continue with abstinence, even for a short amount of time. We also know that there is a strong connection between physical and mental health, and that taking care of one helps us take care of the other.

On a personal note, I found that filling the time I used to spend drinking was a challenge for me in abstinence. Filling this time with self-care activities was a good way to help the hours pass instead of turning to alcohol. I rediscovered my love of playing video games and spent more time with my nieces and nephews. One very helpful piece of advice that I got early on is to think about the things you enjoyed doing when you were younger, before you started drinking as heavily. Try reintegrating some of those things in your life to see if they still bring you joy. I have also found that doing these things instead of drinking boosts my self esteem, which in turn makes my alcohol cravings less frequent and less intense. Self-care also lessens the symptoms of my mental illnesses, which in turn dampens my alcohol cravings as well.

Not all of us had good self-care modeled for us when we were growing up, so it’s not something that comes naturally to us. Or, if you’re like me, self-care is something that your therapist goes on and on about while you space out and wait for her to be done. But it’s never too late to identify the self-care acts that work for you and help you on your abstinence journey.