Recovery Basics
14 Essential Tips for a Healthy Life in Recovery – Tip #3 – Sleep
By Denise • Originally published November 18, 2019 • Updated January 9, 2020
[embed]https://youtu.be/-xfI2ajwOgs[/embed] Are you sleeping right?
Free recovery book
Want a full recovery framework, not just one article?
Get the free digital copy of The Sobriety Success Method and work through the broader at-home recovery model.
- 20 chapters across four parts
- Built for recovery from home
- Delivered by email after opt-in
https://youtu.be/-xfI2ajwOgs Are you sleeping right? Are you prioritising sleep during your recovery from alcohol, opioids or other drugs? Monitor your sleeping patterns to see how your body is reacting. It is very important to get on a solid sleep schedule. You should be sleeping 8-10 hours per night, no more, no less. For example, one of the worst and de-motivating things that you can do in your sobriety is to stay awake all night and sleep all day. If this is your sleep pattern, change it immediately.
To do this, force yourself to stay awake all day and do not sleep until after 8pm. Then set your alarm for 8-10 hours later and start the cycle again. It will be hard at first but after a few days (sometimes a bit longer) your body will adjust. If you have a hard time falling asleep at night try taking Melatonin and do not use the television as a crutch. Make sure your room is dark, quiet, and free from sound. You can try calm meditating music with headphones too.
Limit the temptation to use a device such as a phone or tablet in bed. The screens actively deplete melatonin which helps you fall asleep.
Choose your next step