Yoga and Recovery

Build Your Safe & Healthy Relationships in Sobriety

people walking in the woods under an umbrella symbol for relationships in sobriety

You deserve healthy, safe, and loving relationships with family and friends. The quality of life improvement from solid relationships is almost immeasurable. Unfortunately, many of us don’t live in a full of healthy relationships, in fact, we may have spent much of our life in unhealthy ones. Even for people who don’t have substance abuse issues, toxic relationships are immensely damaging. For those of us in recovery, these relationships can be literally deadly. So, how do we create our own healthy relationships in sobriety.

I’d like to say from the outset, that when I’m talking about relationships, it’s not just romantic ones. Our relationships with everyone in our life should be as healthy and supporting as possible. So, we are talking about friends, family, coworkers, peers, community members, boyfriends, girlfriends, spouses, and so on

“I define connection as the energy that exists between people when they feel seen, heard, and valued; when they can give and receive without judgment; and when they derive sustenance and strength from the relationship.”

Brene Brown

Why you should focus on building healthy relationships in sobriety

Emotional Support and Connection

When someone is recovering from substance abuse, they often experience feelings of isolation, guilt, and shame. Warm, loving relationships can counteract these negative emotions by offering unconditional support and understanding. Friends and family members who show compassion and empathy help the recovering individual feel less alone and more connected to the world around them. This connection is essential for emotional healing and can significantly reduce the risk of relapse.

Encouragement and Motivation

The road to recovery is filled with challenges and setbacks. Having a strong support system of loving relationships provides encouragement and motivation to keep going, even when times get tough. Loved ones can celebrate small victories, offer words of encouragement during difficult moments, and remind the individual of their progress and potential. This constant source of positive reinforcement can make a world of difference in maintaining long-term sobriety.

Healthy Coping Mechanisms

Warm relationships can also introduce healthier coping mechanisms. People in recovery often need to learn new ways to deal with stress, anxiety, and other triggers that may have led to substance abuse in the past. Supportive friends and family can model and encourage healthy behaviors, such as engaging in physical activities, practicing mindfulness, and enjoying simple pleasures. These new coping strategies can replace harmful habits and contribute to a more balanced and contented life.

Accountability and Guidance

Having loving relationships can also provide a sense of accountability. Knowing that there are people who care about their well-being can motivate individuals to stay on track with their recovery goals. Loved ones can offer gentle reminders, help create structured routines, and provide guidance when needed. This accountability can be a powerful tool in maintaining sobriety and preventing relapse.

Building Self-Esteem

Substance abuse often takes a toll on a person’s self-esteem. Loving relationships can help rebuild this self-esteem by showing the individual that they are valued and worthy of love and respect. Positive interactions and affirmations from loved ones can help the recovering person develop a healthier self-image and a stronger sense of self-worth. This boost in self-esteem is vital for sustaining recovery and creating a positive outlook on life.

Are you in a toxic relationship?

Definition – Toxic Relationship: a harmful and unhealthy connection between individuals, where one or both parties consistently exhibit behaviors that undermine, manipulate, or drain the other’s emotional well-being. These relationships often involve patterns of control, criticism, disrespect, or abuse.

Toxic relationships can show up in different ways, whether they are with friends, siblings, parents, romantic partners, spouses, or even your own kids. Each type of relationship has its own unique challenges, but some common toxic behaviors can be seen across all of them. For example, a toxic friend might always put you down, ignore your feelings, or compete with you in unhealthy ways. They might make you feel guilty for spending time with other people or manipulate you to get what they want. These behaviors can leave you feeling exhausted, anxious, and undervalued, which isn’t healthy for your self-esteem or mental well-being.

When it comes to family, toxicity can take different forms. Siblings might engage in constant rivalry, manipulate you, or bully you, creating a tense environment. Parents might try to control you excessively, criticize you all the time, or not respect your boundaries, making you feel inadequate and resentful. Your own kids can also be toxic by being disrespectful, manipulative, or ungrateful, which can cause a lot of emotional stress. In romantic relationships and marriages, toxicity can show up as jealousy, control, neglect, or abuse. A partner or spouse who constantly undermines your self-worth, isolates you from loved ones, or manipulates your emotions can make you feel trapped and unhappy.

It’s important to recognize these signs of toxicity in different relationships for the sake of your emotional health. Setting boundaries, communicating openly, and seeking support when needed are crucial steps. Whether it’s with a friend, family member, or romantic partner, no relationship should make you feel consistently unhappy or unworthy. Taking steps to address and, if necessary, distance yourself from toxic relationships can help you find healthier and more fulfilling connections in your life. You deserve to be surrounded by people who lift you up and make you feel valued.

How to know if a relationship is toxic:

  • Lack of Support: In a healthy relationship, both partners support each other’s goals and aspirations. If your partner consistently dismisses or undermines your ambitions, it’s a red flag.
  • Constant Criticism: While constructive criticism can be beneficial, constant negative comments that attack your character or belittle you are signs of toxicity.
  • Controlling Behavior: A partner who tries to control aspects of your life, such as who you see, what you wear, or what you do, is not respecting your autonomy.
  • Feeling Drained: Healthy relationships should uplift you. If you consistently feel exhausted, anxious, or depressed after spending time with your partner, it might be a sign of toxicity.
  • Lack of Trust: Trust is a cornerstone of any healthy relationship. If there’s a persistent lack of trust, whether due to infidelity or dishonesty, it can create a toxic environment.
  • Jealousy and Possessiveness: While a little jealousy can be normal, excessive jealousy and possessiveness are signs of insecurity and control, which can be toxic.
  • Neglect or Isolation: If your partner tries to isolate you from friends, family, or other support systems, it’s a sign they want to control and dominate your social interactions.
  • Gaslighting: This involves making you doubt your own reality or feelings. If your partner frequently tells you that you’re overreacting or imagining things, it could be gaslighting.
  • Physical or Emotional Abuse: Any form of physical harm or emotional manipulation is a clear sign of a toxic relationship and should be addressed immediately.
  • Walking on Eggshells: If you constantly feel like you have to be cautious about what you say or do to avoid your partner’s anger or disappointment, the relationship is likely toxic.

What to Do If You Suspect Toxicity

If you recognize these signs in your relationship, it’s essential to take action. Talk to trusted friends or family members for support, consider speaking with a therapist, and, if necessary, plan a safe way to exit the relationship.

Man looking out window reflecting on his relationships in sobriety
Reflect on your own relationship. How do they make you feel?

7 Ways you can build healthy relationships

Building a healthy relationship takes effort, understanding, and mutual respect. Whether you’re in a new relationship or looking to strengthen an existing one, following some key principles can make a significant difference. Here are seven essential tips to help you cultivate a strong and positive connection with your partner.

  1. Communicate Openly: Share your thoughts and feelings honestly with your partner, and listen actively to theirs. Open communication helps to build trust and understanding.
  2. Respect Boundaries: Recognize and respect each other’s personal boundaries, giving each other space and time as needed.
  3. Show Appreciation: Regularly express gratitude and appreciation for each other’s efforts and qualities. Small gestures of kindness can strengthen your bond.
  4. Support Each Other: Be there for each other through the ups and downs, offering emotional and practical support when needed.
  5. Spend Quality Time Together: Make time for each other and engage in activities that you both enjoy. Shared experiences help to deepen your connection.
  6. Resolve Conflicts Calmly: Address disagreements with patience and understanding. Focus on finding solutions rather than blaming or criticizing.
  7. Maintain Individuality: Encourage each other to pursue personal interests and goals. A healthy relationship allows both partners to grow and thrive as individuals.

Where does yoga and mindfulness fit in?

Yoga and meditation are powerful tools to help you build healthier relationships by making you more self-aware and emotionally balanced. When practicing yoga, you connect with your body and mind, which reduces stress and brings a sense of peace. This calm mindset helps you communicate better and respond more thoughtfully to your partner. Mindfulness teaches you to stay present and truly listen, which deepens your understanding of your partner’s feelings and needs. By incorporating these practices into your life, you can create a foundation of trust, compassion, and respect, making your relationships more fulfilling and positive.

Mindfulness practice is perfect for understanding your need for boundaries in a relationship. By practicing mindfulness, you become more in tune with your own feelings and reactions. You start to notice what makes you feel comfortable and what doesn’t. This heightened awareness helps you recognize when your personal space or emotional limits are being crossed. By paying attention to these signals, you can better understand where you need to set boundaries to protect your well-being. In turn, this helps you communicate your needs more clearly and maintain healthier, more respectful relationships.

Man doing metta mediation on a couch
Take a few minutes to meditate when you can

A Practice: Loving-Kindness Meditation for Building Healthy Relationships

Find a comfortable, quiet place to sit. Close your eyes and take a few deep breaths, allowing your body to relax and your mind to settle.

  1. Begin with Yourself: Bring your attention to your heart. Repeat silently: “May I be happy. May I be healthy. May I be safe. May I live with ease.” Feel a sense of warmth and kindness toward yourself.
  2. Extend to a Loved One: Think of someone you care about deeply. Picture them in your mind and silently repeat: “May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be safe. May you live with ease.” Allow feelings of love and compassion to flow toward this person.
  3. Extend to a Neutral Person: Think of someone you see regularly but don’t have strong feelings toward. Silently repeat: “May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be safe. May you live with ease.” Cultivate a sense of goodwill toward them.
  4. Extend to a Difficult Person: Think of someone you have a challenging relationship with. Silently repeat: “May you be happy. May you be healthy. May you be safe. May you live with ease.” This can be tough, but try to genuinely wish them well.
  5. Extend to All Beings: Finally, extend these feelings of loving-kindness to everyone and everything: “May all beings be happy. May all beings be healthy. May all beings be safe. May all beings live with ease.”

Take a few more deep breaths, feeling the sense of connection and compassion you’ve cultivated. When you’re ready, gently open your eyes. Carry this feeling of loving-kindness with you as you interact with others, nurturing healthier and more compassionate relationships.

You deserve safe, healthy, loving relationships in sobriety

You deserve safe, loving, and healthy relationships because these connections are fundamental to your well-being and happiness. Healthy relationships provide you with emotional support, boost your self-esteem, and create a sense of belonging and security. They help you navigate life’s challenges with greater resilience and foster your personal growth. In a safe and loving relationship, you can be your authentic self without fear of judgment or harm. This environment nurtures mutual respect, trust, and understanding, which are essential for a fulfilling and balanced life. By valuing and striving for healthy relationships, you not only enhance your own life but also contribute positively to the well-being of others.

Excited dancing couple at home
Be free to feel joy in your relationships

REFERENCES:

A study published in the journal Mindfulness found that mindfulness practice is associated with greater self-awareness and emotional regulation. The researchers concluded that individuals who engage in regular mindfulness practices are better at recognizing their emotional states and understanding their needs and boundaries, which contributes to overall well-being and healthier relationships .

: Keng, S. L., Smoski, M. J., & Robins, C. J. (2011). Effects of mindfulness on psychological health: A review of empirical studies. Clinical Psychology Review, 31(6), 1041-1056.


A study published in the journal Psychological Bulletin found that loving-kindness meditation (Metta) significantly enhances positive emotions and personal resources, which in turn improve social connections and overall well-being. The practice helps individuals develop greater empathy, compassion, and kindness towards themselves and others, fostering healthier relationships.

Reference: Fredrickson, B. L., Cohn, M. A., Coffey, K. A., Pek, J., & Finkel, S. M. (2008). Open hearts build lives: Positive emotions, induced through loving-kindness meditation, build consequential personal resources. Journal of Personality and Social Psychology, 95(5), 1045-1062.

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