Time management is an essential skill for anyone in addiction recovery. When used correctly, it can help individuals stay on track with their goals and improve overall productivity. A few critical components of good time management include setting realistic goals, creating a daily schedule, staying organized, and taking breaks throughout the day.
Setting Realistic Goals
Individuals in early addiction recovery may have spent a great deal of time chasing the high or intoxication they experienced while using substances. Unfortunately, this can lead individuals to develop grandiose plans and goals that can make it difficult to complete their sobriety journey.
Sober living requires a certain level of structure and planning that can be foreign to someone new to recovery. Realistic goal setting helps provide this structure while also teaching how to identify what is truly possible given one’s current circumstances.
Teens in recovery must learn how to set realistic goals for themselves as it will be a crucial skill needed for success in all areas of their life. In addition, once sober, teens will need to learn how to plan for work, school, and social activities appropriately.
If unrealistic goals are set, it can lead to feelings of disappointment and even relapse. But by learning how to set small, achievable goals, teens in recovery can begin to build a foundation for a successful future.
Creating a Daily Schedule
Teens in recovery from substance use disorder face many challenges. However, one of the most important things they can do to stay on track is to create a daily schedule. A daily schedule gives structure to the day and helps teens stay focused on their goals. Creating a plan can be daunting, but a few simple steps can make the process easier.
First, sit down with a piece of paper and a pencil. Then, write down all activities that need to be done each day, including school, work, therapy, and other obligations. Then start assigning times to each activity. Again, it’s essential to be realistic. If an activity typically takes two hours, don’t try to squeeze it into one hour.
Once all of the activities have been scheduled, place the schedule in a place where it will be seen every day. This may be on a refrigerator, in a planner, or on a bulletin board. Teens in recovery should also share their schedules with their support system, including parents, teachers, or therapists.
Lastly, it’s vital to have some flexibility in the schedule to adjust as needed. Recovery is a journey, and the teen’s needs may change over time. By having a flexible schedule, your teen will be able to adjust their daily routine as necessary. Additionally, daily schedules can help teens ensure they’re using their time effectively. It’s important to include time for therapy, exercise, and relaxation.
Staying Organized
As any teenager recovering from SUD knows, staying organized is key to maintaining sobriety. Unfortunately, it can be easy to let things fall through the cracks with school, extracurricular activities, and social life.
There are a few simple tips that can help teens stay on track. First, as stated above, it’s essential to make a daily schedule and stick to it as much as possible. This can help ensure that all obligations are met and that there is time for self-care.
It’s helpful to create a system for tracking appointments, meetings, and other important events. This can be done with a physical calendar or an online tool such as Google Calendar.
It can be helpful to declutter regularly. This includes physical clutter, such as clothes and papers, and digital clutter, such as old emails and unused apps.
Taking Breaks
Taking breaks throughout the day is crucial for avoiding burnout. Not only does it help to reduce the risk of relapse, but it also provides a chance to recharge and refocus.
However, knowing how to take a break can be a challenge, especially when the person is used to using substances to cope with stress. Here are some tips for how to take a break:
- Find a relaxing activity. This could be something as simple as reading, listening to music, or spending time in nature.
- Take short breaks throughout the day. When feeling overwhelmed, encourage your teen to take a few minutes to themself to regroup.
- Set aside time daily for a more extended break. This could be an hour-long walk or watching a favorite movie.
- Don’t feel guilty about taking breaks. Recovery is hard work, and your teen deserves some time to relax and rejuvenate.
By following these tips, teens can create a sound time management system to help them recover. Remember, everyone is different, and there is no one-size-fits-all approach to time management. Instead, find what works best for your teen, and stick with it!
Teens in recovery from substance use disorder face many challenges, and time management is one of the most important skills they can learn. By creating a daily schedule, staying organized, setting realistic goals, and taking breaks throughout the day, teens can develop time management skills that will help them in their recovery. Time management skills are especially important for teens in recovery from SUD because they often have to juggle school, work, treatment, and other obligations. Creating a daily schedule can help them keep track of their time and make sure they are using their time wisely. Staying organized is also key. A cluttered environment can be overwhelming and lead to anxiety and stress. By taking the time to learn these skills, they can set themselves up for success. For more information on teens and time management, call Clearfork Academy at (817) 259-2597.
Originally from the Saginaw, Eagle Mountain area, Austin Davis earned a Bachelor of Science in Pastoral Ministry from Lee University in Cleveland, TN and a Master of Arts in Counseling from The Church of God Theological Seminary. He then went on to become a Licensed Professional Counselor-Supervisor in the State of Texas.
Austin’s professional history includes both local church ministry and clinical counseling. At a young age, he began serving youth at the local church in various capacities which led to clinical training and education. Austin gained a vast knowledge of mental health disorders while working in state and public mental health hospitals. This is where he was exposed to almost every type of diagnosis and carries this experience into the daily treatment.
Austin’s longtime passion is Clearfork Academy, a christ-centered residential facility focused on mental health and substance abuse. He finds joy and fulfillment working with “difficult” clients that challenge his heart and clinical skill set. It is his hope and desire that each resident that passes through Clearfork Academy will be one step closer to their created design.
Austin’s greatest pleasures in life are being a husband to his wife, and a father to his growing children. He serves at his local church by playing guitar, speaking and helping with tech arts. Austin also enjoys being physically active, reading, woodworking, and music.
