Have you ever tried to start getting into the habit of meditation, only to quit after a week or two because you found it too intimidating? You aren’t alone. Many people think they can never get the knack of meditating because they’re too fidgety or easily distracted and have trouble quieting their mind. The good news is that there are as many ways to meditate as there are types of physical workouts – perhaps even more. As long as you’re focusing on your breath and using it to guide your awareness inward, there’s no wrong way to meditate. Experiment with […]

Making mistakes is part of being human. We all do it, and often, our stumbling blocks provide a valuable learning experience. Why, then, is it so challenging to forgive ourselves for errors we’ve made in the past, and how can we move on? 1. Own Your Emotions Thinking about past mistakes can be painful and unpleasant. It’s tempting to gloss over complex problems or try to assign blame to someone else. However, owning your feelings is crucial to developing emotional maturity. Instead of denying or ignoring how you feel, take time to examine the situation and unpack why it is […]

Once you’ve started working on your long-term recovery from drug or alcohol addiction, you’ll hear many common concepts come up time and again. One of these is the idea that recovering addicts should live their lives one day at a time. While this phrase can be reassuring, it’s more than a mere platitude. As we continue to observe National Recovery Month all September, what are some tips you can use for bringing the “one-day-at-a-time” philosophy into your life? 1. Be Present in Each Moment Learning to be more mindful can benefit anybody, but it’s especially helpful for people who are […]

Since the disease of addiction affects everyone a bit differently, it can be a valuable component of recovery to learn from others’ experiences in battling substance abuse and emerging stronger on the other side. As we get ready to celebrate National Read a Book Day this Sept. 6, what are some advantages of reading for pleasure, and what are our top picks for books that can enrich your recovery? Benefits of Reading for Adults If you don’t regularly read in your free time, you might be having trouble getting into the habit. Here are some reasons to explore reading as […]

If you’re contemplating getting treatment for a substance abuse problem, you’ll need to prepare for the ups and downs you’ll encounter. To give you a better idea of what early recovery is like, let’s take a look at some common obstacles you might experience on your journey. 1. Forging New Relationships As challenging as it can be to make new friends as an adult, it’s even more difficult when years of substance abuse drove a wedge between you and the people closest to you. If alcohol and drug use caused your relationships to deteriorate, or if your only friends were […]

When pursuing a goal as monumental as lifelong sobriety, you should never have to feel like you’re facing your challenges alone. Fortunately, plenty of people have been where you are and emerged on the other side. A group of sober peers can provide much-needed perspective and emotional support. Having these supporters in your corner will be invaluable as you enter a new chapter of your life. What are some significant advantages of peer support in addiction recovery? Encouragement to Stay Clean Learning how to manage an addiction is not easy. There will be days where you feel triggered by stress, […]

If you struggle to manage anxiety symptoms in your daily life, you have plenty of company. The Anxiety and Depression Association of America estimates anxiety is the most prevalent mental health challenge in the U.S., affecting nearly 20% of our nation’s adults in any given year. Some all-natural remedies – especially breathing techniques – can help relieve anxiety, allowing you to live a happier lifestyle. Today, we’ll take a closer look at some of these beneficial breathing exercises. 1. Take Longer Exhales Most of us know that deep breathing can help with anxiety, especially if you’re having a panic attack. […]

As Americans celebrate Great Outdoors Month this June, it provides the perfect opportunity to explore how the natural world can enhance your ongoing efforts to stay on track with your sobriety and regain your mental, spiritual and emotional well-being. With that in mind, consider the following benefits of being outside. 1. Engages Your Senses The outdoors provides many multi-sensory experiences. You can admire the bright colors and enticing smells of flowers, hear the sounds of birds singing in the trees above and enjoy the feelings of the sun warming your skin and the breeze blowing through your hair. 2. Helps […]

Small acts of kindness don’t cost you anything to perform, but they are invaluable for your mental well-being. Being kind to someone else will turn your day around, and can spread joy to other people, too. When you intentionally do a good deed, it can improve your brain’s production of serotonin – a neurotransmitter that naturally boosts your mood and gives you a feeling of satisfaction and well-being called the “helper’s high.” Meanwhile, oxytocin, also known as “the love chemical,” reduces your blood pressure, helping improve your physical health as well. By practicing kindness regularly, you can expect to see […]

With much of the United States observing self-quarantine due to the coronavirus pandemic, now is an even more critical time to be aware of your mental well-being. In observation of Mental Health Month 2020, here are some examples of ways self-quarantine affects your mental health. 1. Loss of Connection By now, we are aware of the need to stay isolated to protect ourselves and those around us from a highly contagious disease. For most of us, this has created a sense of lost connections – with friends, family members, classmates and co-workers. If you were a regular at a particular […]