Building a Balanced Life
What’s one sign your schedule is too full?
Feeling overwhelmed, exhausted, or irritable.
Name one physical activity that helps reduce stress.
Walking, yoga, stretching, etc.
What does “unstructured time” mean?
Time without plans or purpose.
What’s one activity you can replace using time with?
Exercise, hobbies, meetings, etc.
What happens when you don’t have structure in recovery?
More risk of cravings, isolation, or relapse.
What’s one self-care activity that recharges you?
Bath, nap, nature walk, etc.
What’s a community-based way to stay busy?
Volunteering, groups, classes.
What emotion often leads to relapse if you don’t stay busy?
Boredom.
What’s one long-term goal that gives your life direction?
School, relationships, health, service, etc.
How can overscheduling be a problem, too?
It can lead to burnout or stress.
What have you done lately that is fun?
something personal you did recently that was fun!
What are some low-cost ways to stay busy?
Free meetups, journaling, home workouts, etc.
What’s one thing that helps you feel grounded when life gets hectic?
Breathing, prayer, nature, routines.
What’s one area of your life that’s improving because you’re staying sober?
Relationships, finances, health, etc.
If you had a free weekend, what would you do to support your recovery?
Personal response
What’s one routine you can add to your morning to set the tone for the day?
Affirmations, breakfast, journaling, etc.
What’s one creative activity you can try?
Drawing, music, writing, etc. (must be something personal to you that you would do)
Who can you call when you’re feeling bored or tempted?
Sponsor, friend, family, group peer.
What’s one positive risk you’ve taken in recovery?
Joining a group, sharing openly, applying for a job etc
How can you stay busy when motivation is low?
Start small — do one small task to build momentum.
What’s a positive habit that you’d like to build this month?
Varies
What’s an activity you could do daily for 10 minutes that supports mental health?
Journaling, stretching, meditation, gratitude list, etc
What’s one thing that reignites your motivation when you feel stuck?
Changing your routine, talking to peers, or celebrating progress etc
What’s one long-term goal you’re working toward in recovery?
Open-ended
What’s one thing you’ve learned about yourself since starting recovery?
Open-ended