Becoming a Better Friend by Building Social Bonds

Becoming a Better Friend by Building Social Bonds

Mar 3, 2021

Healthy relationships are essential in life, especially in recovery. The bonds you share with friends, family, and peers from support groups impact your mental and physical wellbeing. You should never underestimate the power of a strong bond, nor should you ever subscribe to the “go-it-alone” ideology. Studies even show that having a variety of relationships helps to reduce stress and heart-related risks. Strong social ties lead to a longer life. Alternatively, loneliness and isolation lead to poorer health, depression, and shortened life. Although you learn social skills early on in life, you are never too old to improve relationships.

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Enriching Your Life in Recovery

Enriching Your Life in Recovery

Mar 3, 2021

It’s no secret that addiction can leave behind a void. For however long, you’ve subconsciously built your life around satisfying your habit; once you get out from under it, you might feel a strange emptiness. It’s common for people in recovery to start exercising with extreme vigor or dive into new hobbies to fill that void. You may not hit the gym right away, but sooner or later you’ll have to confront the newfound amount of time and energy you suddenly have.

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Will My Life Ever Be Normal Again?

Will My Life Ever Be Normal Again?

Mar 3, 2021

As you navigate sobriety, it’s normal and valid to wonder whether your life will ever get back to feeling normal. In reality, your life won’t go back to normal - it’ll be even better than it was before recovery. The further you move from substance abuse, the more clearly you’ll be able to see your life in all its potential. Living sober gives you more time for things that uplift you, whether it’s time spent with loved ones, learning new things, or better understanding yourself.

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New Mental Health Habits for the New Year

New Mental Health Habits for the New Year

Mar 3, 2021

It’s time to embrace the new year, and what better way than to pick up some new healthy habits? You have probably heard the saying “you are what you eat,” and the reality is that everything you consume does affect you. You are whatever you eat, read, watch, hear, and breathe in. Everything that you expose yourself to becomes a piece of who you are. Think of yourself as a sponge, soaking in all of your experiences and interactions with other people. Will you choose to soak in water, coffee, or tea? Though some people may oppose the idea of starting over in the new year, there is nothing wrong with wanting to turn over a new leaf. Here are some ideas to help get your 2021 off to a great start.

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Healthy Habits That Can Keep You Clean

Healthy Habits That Can Keep You Clean

Mar 3, 2021

As you move forward into your new, sober lifestyle, you may have the feeling that you need to conduct yourself differently this time around. You’re exactly right--if you keep doing the same things you’ve always done, you’ll keep seeing the same results you’ve always seen. An important part of your long-term health will be developing positive habits to keep yourself on track with staying sober, avoiding relapse, and acting in your own best interests.

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How Can I Embrace My New Clean Life?

How Can I Embrace My New Clean Life?

Mar 3, 2021

In order to learn to maintain your sobriety, you must have a full understanding of the reasons you became addicted in the first place. The tactics you employ to stay clean will be useless if you do not know what your triggers are. Recovery isn’t a short sprint that you can simply grit your teeth and bear. It’s a long river, with strong currents and slippery rocks. When you learn the movements of the water, you will be prepared to navigate the river.

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Foods to Leave Behind in 2021

Foods to Leave Behind in 2021

Mar 3, 2021

Now that the holidays have passed, you have the perfect opportunity to change your diet. So many people have gone vegetarian or vegan that it can be challenging to navigate the current culinary climate for those of us who eat some of everything. Blogs and magazines are brimming with articles about what you should be eating. If you want to make positive changes in your lifestyle, it may be more helpful to expand your knowledge of what not to eat.

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Is an Addictive Personality Hereditary?

Is an Addictive Personality Hereditary?

Mar 3, 2021

For years, people thought that diseases like diabetes, heart disease, and high blood pressure were hereditary. Then people began to realize that while these diseases aren’t hereditary, the habits which lead to them can be. Many people tend to eat what the rest of their family eats, because during the first part of your life, you're not the one making those sorts of decisions. In some cases, the same progression can apply to your mental health. It’s common for people struggling with depression or anxiety to want to understand where a detrimental predilection comes from. Are you born with it? Does it develop over time? Is it hereditary?

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The Importance of Support as a New Entrepreneur

The Importance of Support as a New Entrepreneur

Mar 3, 2021

There are many factors to consider when deciding to take the leap into working independently. While you may be capable of coming up with strong ideas on your own, your support system is what turns those ideas into something actionable. When it comes to selling a product or managing a business, success takes more than making sales. As an entrepreneur, it’s in your best interest to surround yourself with innovative, effective people who will influence your process for the better.

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How Joining an Athletic Team Can Keep You Clean

How Joining an Athletic Team Can Keep You Clean

Mar 3, 2021

As you’re planning your sober future, take utmost care to ensure that you’re giving yourself enough mental and physical stimulation, nourishing social connection, and setting short-term goals for self-improvement to keep you motivated and on track. One of the most surefire ways to keep yourself healthy and balanced is to join an athletic team or sports group. Combining regular physical exercise with a social support system helps support your recovery on multiple fronts and has the bonus of being a fun, inexpensive activity that you can do with anyone. Of course, during these times the sports chosen would be played outdoors and have the ability to socially distance yourself from others.

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