Happy Holidays 2020 From Stepping Stone | Stepping Stone of San Diego

Happy Holidays from Stepping Stone! Wishing you and your loved ones a peaceful holiday season.

A big “thank you” to the Stepping Stone alumni committee, who came to Stepping Stone this past weekend and decorated the property for the residents. We were unsure if we would be able to carry on this tradition in 2020, but we found a way to have the residents off property for a few hours while the decorations were hung (with care). We know this means a lot to our residents and staff. Thank You and Happy Holidays!

Season’s Greetings,
Stepping Stone of San Diego

How To Stay Sober During The Holidays

As many of us know, the holidays can be a stressful time especially for those in recovery. Here are a few tips and tricks to stay sober during the holiday season.

Make Self Care a Priority. Celebrate the holiday season by taking care of your body, mind, and soul. We cannot be our very best if we are depleted. Give yourself the gift of time for yourself: an acupuncture treatment, a yoga class, time for meditation, and prayer. Proper nutrition and plenty of healthy physical movement will make you feel stronger, both physically and emotionally.

Increase Support. We can get overwhelmed with the erratic nature of the season, so as you plan each day in December, start with 12-step support as your first priority. This could mean bookending a holiday event with phone calls to someone in recovery before and after the event. Commit to attend a 12-step meeting (or two) each day.

Know your limits. If you plan on celebrating with family this year, be mindful of how much time you spend with toxic relatives. We all have our own version of crazy Aunt Mildred who is going to criticize your career choice and make you feel “less than” or Uncle Harry who will insist on you having his famous holiday drink. And even worse, we most likely have strained family relationships that have been simmering for years. This type of stress can lead us to rationalize and convince ourselves we are entitled to a drink. Instead, surround yourself with supportive loved ones that will help you follow the steps to staying clean and sober.