Relapse Prevention: Making changes now to be ready later

When the seasons change in the spring and summer months our human bodies tend to wake up a bit from our winter slumber.  We have a lot more energy this time of year and motivation rises to match the increased number of hours we are exposed to daylight.  These changes bring great opportunity to be more active, get things done, and work on personal improvements, as well as work on our stress management and relapse prevention plans.

With more sunshine and longer days comes a boost in serotonin and a much better sleep/wake schedule.  There is a noticeable increase in desire to do things, but it's best to keep track of the calendar because these warm and energetic times of the year only last so long depending on where you are at in the world.  For those here in Colorado, the season is roughly 16 weeks long from June through September.  Therefore, many people capitalize on this time of year to get in those vacation, home improvements, and outdoor activities they love so much.  It's also the time to capitalize on motivation that might be missing in the winter months, and with this motivation comes the energy and desire to revise your relapse prevention plan, be those for substance abuse, depression, or anxiety.  Plan to do it now while the desire and energy are here!

According to Psych Central your plan should include several things including, recognizing your red flags or "triggers", developing alternative activities, avoiding situations that you know are dangerous for your sense of wellbeing, and two very important other factors, which are to rehearse how you plan to respond when situations arise that trigger you, as well as have your stress management techniques at hand and ready to be used when the situation calls for it (i.e., such as during the holidays, shortened days of sunlight, and more hectic times of year concerning interrelations with family and friends).

Preparing now in the warmer months while energy and motivation are high is like buying yourself an early gift and wrapping it up to open later.  Having a plan for yourself now, or revising and updating the one you already have, is a great act of self-maintenance, self-love, and self-care, just like keeping up on your exercise or dental care.  It's something you will thank yourself for later when the days once again grow short and stay darker longer, and when your motivation is once again low.

You can find my prior blog entry about relapse prevention here

"What you do makes a difference, and you have to decide what kind of difference you want to make."    ~Jane Goodall

Thanks to Larissa S for the great photo