| If you're recovering from addiction, you should be | | | | have a negative influence or person in your life, |
| so proud of yourself and your strength to endure | | | | step back and don't let them drag you down. As |
| what has surely been a difficult struggle. However, | | | | a recovering addict, you're on the biggest uphill |
| for so many of us on the path to recovery, the | | | | climb of your life, you can't afford to be pulled |
| trap of slipping self esteem can be an easy one | | | | down by someone else. |
| to fall into. By rebuilding your self esteem every | | | | 5. Keep active. |
| day, you can improve your chances of staying on | | | | Regular exercise is a great to get your endorphins |
| the path to recovery. | | | | flowing, your body image soaring and your body |
| 1. Go back over your achievements and strengths | | | | rebuilding. If you feel healthy and look good, you |
| every day. | | | | can't help but feel great about yourself. Start with |
| Start by making a list of all of your achievements, | | | | a short walk every day, gradually working your |
| especially getting clean. Try to add to or at least | | | | way up to taking on a more strenuous activity |
| read that list every day. | | | | every day. |
| 2. Don't compare yourself to others. | | | | 6. Spread the love. |
| Always remember that you're an individual and no | | | | You'd be amazed at how effective being nice is at |
| one is perfect. Instead of focusing on what other | | | | boosting your own self esteem. Try giving one |
| people are doing, stay concentrated on how well | | | | person a compliment each day or doing one nice |
| you're doing. | | | | thing for someone at least once a week. You'll not |
| 3. Accept compliments and cherish them. | | | | only feel better about yourself, but you'll begin to |
| Instead of turning away or dismissing | | | | feel the positive blowback of your efforts. |
| compliments, accept them with a big thank you | | | | Above all else though, take action, even if it's just |
| and a genuine smile. Especially when friends or | | | | a baby step, and don't let yourself get down if |
| family congratulate you on your sobriety, be | | | | you can't do it all. Remember, if you can't |
| proud. | | | | squeeze in a 3-mile run, you can still take a |
| 4. Keep good company. | | | | 15-minute walk around the block. |
| Hang out with people who are positive. If you | | | | |