Many 12-Step recovery programs ask their members to take two specific actions every day. One is in the morning and one is at night, and they are both part of a spiritual self-care routine. The idea is to connect to God (or a Higher Power of your understanding) in the morning and ask them to guide your actions throughout the day. Then connect with them again at night and assess whether you acted in their guidance throughout the day. These are perfect bookends for living a spiritual life in recovery.
What Exactly Is Spiritual Self-Care?
We all probably know quite a bit about what a traditional self-care routine looks like. Usually, when we think of self-care, we think of getting a good night’s sleep, eating healthily, getting enough exercise, managing our stress, and taking care of our bodily hygiene.
Many of us may have an idea in our head about what a mental health self-care routine looks like. A mental health self-care routine could involve reading instead of watching too much TV and staying active and engaged in activities that keep us sharp. For adolescents, this may look like a chess club, a science club, or a debate club.
Yet, many of us probably draw a blank when we think of a spiritual self-care routine. Yes, there are those of us who go to places of religious worship on a weekly or semi-weekly basis, but what about a daily routine? It is only when we connect to God daily that a spiritual self-care routine begins to take shape.
What Does a Spiritual Self-Care Routine Look Like in Recovery?
An interesting aspect of recovery is that many people in recovery end up with a spiritual self-care routine that they would have never adopted if they had not dealt with addiction. In fact, many people in recovery say they are grateful for going through all of the pain they went through in addiction. This is because they probably would not have connected to God otherwise.
There is a prayer that many people in 12-Step recovery say every morning. It is called the “Third Step Prayer” and it goes, “God, I offer myself to Thee – to build with me and to do with me as Thou wilt. Relieve me of the bondage of self, that I may better do Thy will. Take away my difficulties, that victory over them may bear witness to those I would help of Thy Power, Thy Love, and Thy Way of life. May I do Thy will always!”
This is the perfect start to a day that is focused on spiritual self-care because it reminds us of how lucky we are to have the opportunity to live each new day to the fullest. Gratitude is critical to successful recovery, and it is the ultimate byproduct of a spiritual self-care routine.
The Benefits of a Spiritual Self-Care Routine
Listing the benefits of a spiritual self-care routine is hard because the benefits are near limitless and are thus hard to quantify. However, some universal benefits seem to apply to most people who work a spiritual program with rigorous honesty.
A spiritual program can help bring mental clarity and morality when faced with difficult decisions. This type of program can strengthen the values by which we must try to live our lives (especially in recovery). A spiritual program can connect us to a community of like-minded spiritual people. It can give us somewhere to turn that holds no judgment when we make mistakes.
Also, this type of routine and program can help us to avoid relapse. A good spiritual self-care routine includes working on the act of “pausing” and connecting to a higher power when we become triggered and feel like drinking or using substances. This routine can also help us to live without fear, because if we are living in God’s image then we are not doing anything that would warrant any consequences or retaliations.
A Focus on Faith in Recovery at Clearview
There is another prayer that many members of 12-Step recovery say every night before bed. Often, it is referred to as the “On Retiring Prayer.” It goes, “God forgive me where I have been resentful, selfish, dishonest, or afraid today. Help me to not keep anything to myself but to discuss it all openly with another person – show me where I owe an apology and help me make it. Also, help me to be kind and loving to all people. Use me in the mainstream of life God. Remove worry, remorse, or morbid reflections that I may be of usefulness to others. Amen.” This may just be a near-perfect conclusion to a day of spiritual self-care.
Here at Clearview, we believe that a spiritual life is the best kind of life. That is why we live in God’s word every day. This happens from the moment we wake up and ask for help to the moment we thank him for his blessings. We have faith in our students, we have faith in their recovery, and we have faith in God. Thus, we truly have everything we need. Amen.
Part of self-care in recovery is taking care of ourselves spiritually. Now, this does not have to mean a specific religious practice (although for many people it does mean that). Adopting a routine of prayer, meditation, and other healthy spiritual practices in the morning, throughout the day, and at night can greatly aid us in maintaining a healthy and successful long-term recovery. If you feel like your daughter may be struggling with issues of addiction and/or mental health and could benefit from a daily spiritual practice, we can help. For more information about the benefits of creating a spiritual self-care routine in recovery, please reach out to Clearview Horizon today at 866-584-4788.
