Recovery self help

The following ten ideas may help to relieve your symptoms:

  • Talk to a friend
  • Talk to a health professional
  • Relaxation and stress reduction exercises
  • Healthy eating – what you eat affects how you feel
  • Do something ‘normal’ like washing your hair, shaving or going to work
  • Contact help lines
  • Wear something that makes you feel good
  • Do something that makes you laugh
  • Get some little things done
  • Do something special for someone else

Daily maintenance plan

Tere are a number of small things you can do each day which may help you. These could be included in a daily maintenance plan:

  • Eat three healthy meals and three healthy snacks
  • Drink at least six glasses of water
  • Avoid caffeine, sugar, junk foods and alcohol
  • Exercise for at least half an hour
  • Get exposure to outside light for at least half an hour
  • Take medications
  • Have 20 minutes of relaxation or meditation time
  • Write in a journal for at least 15 minutes
  • Spend at least half an hour enjoying a fun or creative activity
  • Get support from someone who you can be real with
  • Check in with yourself; how am I doing physically, emotionally, spiritually?
  • Go to work if it’s a work day

Recovery action plan

Droplet of waterYou may also want to ask yourself some questions. The below are taken from Mary Ellen Copeland’s book Wellness Recovery Action Plan:

  • What do you need to do for yourself everyday to keep you feeling as well as possible?
  • What are your triggers? (external events or circumstances may set off a chain reaction of behaviours, thoughts or feelings)
  • How can I avoid or limit exposure to my triggers?
  • What can I do to prevent these triggers getting worse?
  • What are my early warning signs that things are not right?
  • What action can you take when you recognise early warning signs

Recovery websites

Below is a list of useful websites which provide useful information about recovery:

Related links

pdf icon Books Can Help

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