I struggled with drug and alcohol abuse ever since I was a teenager. I saw my life plummet and fall apart then I had to build it back up from scratch, and it was the hardest thing I’ve ever had to do.
Addiction can take control of your life and leave you without plans for the future.
I faced two years in prison for drug-related charges, and shortly after getting out I relapsed. I finally checked into rehab and that’s where my life started taking a positive turn. However, after getting out of rehab I didn’t know what I wanted to do with my life. Luckily for me, my A sponsor motivated me to take an HTML course, and that gave me a future. I now co-own a web developing company and I can say with certainty that I’m successful.
What would I say is the key to success? I think there’s not one thing you can do to be successful, but a number of elements that, when combined make the perfect recipe for success.
One of these key elements, which is highly taken for granted, is having enough energy. If you’re in the process of recovery, you may have started to notice or will soon notice that now that you’re clean you’re more energetic than when you were consuming. The damage caused by binge drinking or drug abuse from the substance abuse is healing and you’re on the road to becoming a brand new person.
There are many ways you can potentialize this newfound energy in order to become successful, here are the 5 that helped me the most.
1. Reduce stress
Stress is the result of anxiety, which is very common within addicts and something that I struggled with for a long time. Studies show that there’s a correlation between anxiety and fatigue, it uses up a lot of your energy. When you’re stressed, even if you’ve spent all day in bed, you’re left feeling both mentally and physically exhausted. So the first step towards having more energy to achieve your goals is to say goodbye to stress.
This is probably easier said than done, but there are many ways to minimize the stress in your daily life. What worked for me the best was meditation. It helped me learn to live in the present and not to worry about things I can’t control.
Anyone can do it, and it can be as simple as sitting in silence, closing your eyes and trying to clear your mind by focusing only on your breath for a few minutes. Making this practice a habit can help you handle stressful situations more calmly and therefore increase your energy and motivation.
2.Get enough sleep
Not sleeping enough or not getting quality sleep can make you feel exhausted the next morning and all throughout the day. As a result, you lose concentration on your daily tasks and are probably more cranky.
The general rule is to get 8 hours of sleep each night, but everyone is different, some people need more and some need less. If you have sleeping problems, such as having trouble falling asleep or waking up several times during the night, there are a few things you can try that may help you improve your sleep.
Keeping a consistent sleep schedule -going to bed and waking up at the same time every day, even on the weekend- is a healthy sleep habit that can help regulate your internal body clock. I love coffee and I used to have it all the time, even at night. I didn’t think it had much to do with my inability to sleep through the night. Turns out the effects of caffeine can last up to 12 hours, so try eliminating it after 3 p.m so it doesn’t interfere with your night’s sleep.
3.Exercise regularly
There are endless benefits of working out regularly, and it can be especially helpful, like running during and after recovery. Exercise is great for your overall health, it stimulates your liver and kidneys -which are probably the organs that get more damaged from substance abuse- and helps the systems in your body work correctly.
It’s simple when you’re happy you are at the top of your game and are more productive, and exercise can provide you extra happiness. When you exercise, your brain releases endorphins, which are substances that give you a feeling of happiness and well-being.
Working out doesn’t only make you happier but also more energetic. Exercising helps your lungs and your heart work more efficiently, which results in higher energy levels. It also creates discipline, which is essential to success.
The best part of all is you can choose whatever type of exercise you like most, whether it is yoga or dancing or cycling or hundreds of more options. What I enjoy the most is hiking. I love being surrounded by nature and being reminded of what a beautiful place this world is.
4.Eat healthily
Eating healthy is a habit that’s wildly overlooked nowadays. Between eating processed foods, junk food and drinking sodas and super sugary juices we’re not getting practically any essential nutrients, and this can cause fatigue among many other health problems.
Changing your diet is fundamental in order to be more energetic and more productive.
Eating more leafy greens is great for boosting your energy since they contain antioxidants. Also, foods high in protein such as beans and eggs stabilize your blood sugar levels, keeping you energized and preventing cravings throughout the day.
5.Do what you love
At the end of the day what matters the most when striving for success is that you’re doing something that you love and that you enjoy doing. Real success isn’t having lots of money or owning a big company. Real success is waking up every day to do something that satisfies you so much you don’t feel like you’re working. So you should choose something you’re really passionate about and give it everything you’ve got.
Recovery can be a strange yet very rewarding stage in your life. It was then when I realized there are so many reasons to be happy and I was able to forgive myself for everything I did or didn’t do in the past. It was then when I learned the im.portance of having a healthy lifestyle as a key element to being successful in other areas. Follow these tips and you’ll find your life can start changing for the better.
Do you know any other tips to stay energized and increase success? If you have any suggestions, please leave a comment below
