Independence Day is upon us once again, bringing the increased risk of a relapse for many people in recovery. Holidays can be especially dangerous because they tend to lack the structure that defines normal days, leaving you with extra hours to fill. With that in mind, you’ll need to have a plan for how you’ll spend the day in a way that helps you avoid pitfalls and triggers. Here are suggestions for our top five sober Independence Day activities. 1. Attend a Recovery Meeting You can start your day on a positive note by using the morning to go to […]

The need to self-isolate during the coronavirus pandemic has left many of us with extra time to reevaluate what we are doing with our lives. It’s an excellent opportunity to ask yourself if you have become the person you hoped to be, and, if not, what you can do to get there. If you take stock of your aspirations and realize you have fallen short, it’s never too late to hit the reset button with these healthy goal-setting strategies. 1. Begin With Intention If you’ve ever practiced yoga, you know the importance of setting an intention before you begin. Intention, […]

Once you’re pursuing recovery from alcohol addiction, non-alcoholic beer may seem like an appealing and safe option. After all, it won’t get you drunk and lead to problems such as reckless behavior, impaired judgment or blackouts. However, non-alcoholic beer has several issues you should be aware of. Here’s why recovering alcoholics should steer clear of “near beer.” Why Is Non-Alcoholic Beer Dangerous for Recovering Alcoholics? You may gravitate to “near beer” because you don’t like feeling left out during parties and other social occasions where people are drinking. However, it’s better to stick with water or soft drinks at these […]

If your old life revolved around drugs and alcohol, it’s likely that most of your relationships stemmed from substance use as well. Now that you’ve finally achieved your hard-won goal of sobriety, you might be wondering how to make new friends without the crutch of these intoxicants standing in your way. Here are some ideas for finding sober supporters after your discharge from treatment. 1. Attend Sober Events As an adult, meeting new people can be a challenge – especially when you are in recovery and devoting so much of your focus to working on yourself and your needs. But […]

It’s been a bit more than two months since the coronavirus pandemic brought the world to an abrupt halt. In that time, we’ve all had to significantly shift the way we live our lives – and many experts have already predicted it may be quite some time before we can return to the way things used to be. With life as we know it indefinitely on hold, what can you do to launch a new routine that structures your days? Establish a Healthy Work-Life Balance If you’re lucky enough to have a job that lends itself to telework, your priority […]

You probably have at least one acquaintance or friend who can maintain a positive attitude, regardless of the circumstances. They have no problem staying upbeat and optimistic in the face of life’s setbacks. What’s their secret? Gratitude. Whether you choose to write down your thoughts in a journal or take a moment for a gratitude meditation, giving thanks has transformative powers. Here are five proven benefits of being grateful. 1. Improved Mental Well-Being For people who struggle with mental health challenges such as anxiety and depression, a practice of gratitude can work to their advantage. One study of people who […]

Have you recently caught yourself frantically scrolling through your newsfeed in search of the latest updates, while simultaneously stress-snacking on junk foods? There are better ways to cope with coronavirus-related anxieties, even in self-isolation. Here are five tips for stress relief you can try in these unprecedented times. 1. Meditate You’ve probably heard about the benefits of meditation for years – better mental equilibrium, lower blood pressure, less anxiety, improved memory and more self-discipline, to name a few – but if you’ve never tried it in earnest before, now’s the time. Meditation is an excellent way to quiet your mind, […]