We have written before about gratitude journals and the ways in which they can support your recovery efforts. Folks who keep gratitude journals generally write down three things each day that they are thankful for. They can be big things or small things, new things or repetitive things, things that happened that day or things that happened further in the past.
One of the things that likely makes a gratitude journal helpful is the focus on naming three things each day. Three is not too many, so you are less likely to get frustrated by trying to think of a lot of items each day. Three is also not too few, so you are more likely to remember that you have plenty of things to feel grateful for—even on tough days.
We would like to suggest that thinking in terms of the number three can be useful in a number of situations beyond writing things down in a journal. When you are facing a challenging moment, it might be a good idea to think of three things in a given category to see if that can help you move forward in healthy ways that protect your recovery efforts.
What categories? We are glad you asked. We have some suggestions.
What Are Your Three Favorite Songs?
We have frequently turned to various kinds of songs as a way to think about recovery. But sometimes you are not looking for a lesson from a song. Instead, you are just looking for the joy a favorite song can make you feel.
Given the power of music to lift your mood, we recommend a mini-playlist of three favorite songs that you can listen to when you are struggling a bit. The list will likely change from time to time, but having three songs that make you smile at the top of your mind—and in your music app of choice—is a good way to ensure you can give yourself a little boost when the need arises.
Who Are Three Friends You Can Call?
Letting yourself get lonely is not a good way to support your recovery. Knowing that you have three friends who you can always call is a good way to keep loneliness at bay.
Why three? Well, no single friend is going to be available each and every time you reach out, so it is good to have options. That is true whether you need to call someone to help you through a difficult moment or whether you are just looking for someone who will go see a movie with you.
This list of friends is also a good reminder in those moments when it feels like no one understands or supports you. Your list of three friends—a list you have created yourself—proves that simply is not true.
Which Three Exercises Do You Enjoy?
Good physical health can provide a firm foundation for your recovery—and that means that exercising regularly is important. Some people love to exercise and have no trouble making it a part of their daily routine. But plenty of other folks—perhaps you among them—are not big fans of physical activity or simply feel like they do not have the time to schedule workouts.
The best way to get yourself exercising is to find activities you enjoy. And the best way to avoid getting in a rut is to identify a number of activities you enjoy. Walking might be on your list. Yoga could be, too. Or maybe you like swimming in a local pool, playing pickleball with friends, or shooting hoops in your driveway. Finding three exercises you like can help you stay healthy and keep your recovery intact.
Why Not Identify Three Engaging Hobbies?
When it comes to recovery (and really just to life in general), we believe it is essential to build rest and relaxation into your schedule—and an engaging hobby can help you do that. But sometimes you just do not feel like doing a given thing on a given day, so identifying some options can be a great idea.
Maybe you like to do jigsaw puzzles. Perhaps you also like to read mystery novels. And maybe you like exploring the arts and culture opportunities in your community. Your list of three will be your own, of course, but reminding yourself of the various things you enjoy can be a good way to make sure you take full advantage of moments when you can relax and enjoy yourself.
We Have One Bit of Advice: Get the Help You Need
If you are struggling with substances but have been reluctant to seek out treatment for one reason or another, we would strongly encourage you to change course. The best time to get help for a substance use disorder is always right now. And one of the nation’s best places to get that help is Wooded Glen Recovery Center in Henryville, Indiana.
In each of the last five years, we have been honored for our high quality of service, reputation, and accreditation. That means you can count on the staff at Wooded Glen to provide the highest quality of care through a personalized treatment plan that is grounded in evidence-based practices. We are always ready to help.