Your body is under a lot of stress during the withdrawal process, and removing any remaining substances in your system can leave you feeling worn out and exhausted. While you may not feel like doing much at all, good hygiene can encourage your body to heal more effectively and works wonders for improving your mood and sense of worth. Try to establish a daily routine for showering, brush your teeth twice a day and make sure you have clean clothes to wear. Don’t forget to brush your hair, trim your fingernails and use plenty of chapstick if you need it!

Get Plenty of Rest

Many people feel exhausted during the withdrawal process — your body is working hard all hours of the day to mend itself, and this unconscious process can drain you of energy. Getting enough sleep is a major key in your detox process, as your brain does most of its repair work for your body during REM sleep (the dreaming phase of the sleep cycle). You can start normalizing your sleep/wake cycle by establishing a firm routine, so try to get to bed and wake up at the same time each day.

Eat a Nutritious Diet

The fuel you provide your body makes all the difference in how effectively it functions. Withdrawal and recovery use up a lot of nutrients, so make sure the food you’re eating is nourishing and of high quality. Dark leafy greens, bright red, purple and orange fruits and vegetables, most cheeses, lean protein and whole grains all provide a myriad of vitamins and minerals to your body, and some foods are even shown to help make the withdrawal process easier. Your body also depends heavily on your water intake for cellular repair, joint lubrication and more, so try to drink between 11 and 15 cups of water every day.

Get Outside

It’s easy to feel isolated during a detox, and this may make you want to stay inside and away from other people. However, many studies have shown that being outdoors and in the sun offers a bounty of benefits to your mental and physical health, so try to get outside at least once a day. You can go for a walk, work on a garden, or just sit on the front porch with your morning coffee and enjoy the view. If you’re feeling up to it, try taking your art supplies outdoors to make something beautiful.

Find Joy in a Hobby

On the topic of art, finding something that brings you joy can make the entire recovery process not only easier, but awakening and insightful. If you had any hobbies in the past that you haven’t touched in a while, try dabbling in them again; if not, it’s okay to try something new, even if there’s a chance you might not like it. Making art, playing instruments, gardening, writing, singing, sewing, doing puzzles, collecting things, reading, exercising, meditating, cooking and almost all forms of creative expression stimulate different parts of your brain in positive ways. Don’t be afraid to experiment with new activities, but give yourself enough of a chance to like the ones you try first.

Just because you’re working through a difficult time doesn’t mean you aren’t allowed to love yourself. Treating your body well, getting enough rest and finding ways to enjoy the day can fill you with a renewed appreciation for life — and that makes all the difference in helping you on the road to sobriety. If you’re having a hard time building good habits, try talking with your doctor, rehabilitation specialist or a trusted loved one for extra support. Above, all remember: you’re doing great where you are. Keep going.