“New Year, New Me”
Many people see the new year as an opportunity to leave old habits and behaviors in the past. Some of us have habits which really should be left behind, and just due to fads or trends. Certain habits can be harmful, now or down the line. Smoking cigarettes, overindulging in drugs or alcohol, overeating, spending too much time on social media, even hitting the snooze button every morning: some bad habits are directly harmful, and others, which might seem innocent, can block you from being the best you can be.
Recognizing the Signs of Relapse
Our current understanding of the psychology behind addiction suggests that relapse occurs not all at once as a single event, but in stages which gradually build up to the final step of physically using. Be careful to know your past history and behaviors so that you can identify the warning signs of a possible oncoming relapse. If you can catch yourself in time, you can get help, and keep your sobriety on track. Below are the three stages of relapse and what you can do to prevent them from taking hold of you.
When Is the Right Time to Switch Careers?
As you complete the acute parts of treatment and recovery, you may find yourself looking ahead to your immediate future. Many people take this chance to make major changes in other areas of life. One of the biggest opportunities you have right now is the chance to renew your career. Whether or not you’re comfortable with your current employment, take the time to evaluate whether your job and your sobriety complement one another. Even if they do, you may be ready to make a change.
The Power of Inspiration in Recovery
Even if you’ve only been in recovery a short time, yours is a unique perspective and you bring something new to the global dialogue of addiction and sobriety simply by being yourself. Sharing your story with others can have a terrific impact on other people in recovery, on people who might not yet realize they need help, and on people who don’t struggle with addiction at all. Sharing your story can even have a terrific impact on yourself.
How Your Parents Affect Your Mental Health
Young or old, nearly everyone has a story to tell about the way their parents raised them, for better or for worse. We all realize that humans raising other humans will never unfold in perfect simplicity. Our parents are people just like us, with internal conflicts of their own, and bringing children into this world without addressing those conflicts can make for a difficult family dynamic.
Eight Ways to Decompress
When you are busy working and juggling other priorities, you may have days that feel like they will never end. Long days dominated by work, school, and overall responsibilities can be emotionally and physically tiring. Too many long days can leave you feeling stressed, anxious, and even depressed. However, it is crucial to understand that much of the things that stress you are often beyond your control. Fortunately, you can control how you take care of yourself and decompress to maintain your mental and physical health.
Is it Time For a Break From the Workplace?
Fatigue and burnout in the workplace are not uncommon, but it is not enjoyable either. According to the American Institute of Stress, 80% of US workers feel stressed about their jobs. However, it is more than just the unpleasant feeling of stress and fatigue; it is also the quality of your work. When you notice that you are working hard but accomplishing a lot less than you used to, this is a sign of burnout. While taking a couple of days off to refresh might help, long-term relief is not as easy as taking time off. Often, burnout happens within your workday structure. Your career might not call for you to take time off so easily, and therefore, you have to find ways to endure while producing quality work and managing your health. Looking at how you can start to get yourself back on track when you can't get away from your work can help you manage the stress of the workforce.
How to Show Gratitude
Expressing gratitude to those that support you can be one of the most rewarding efforts you will ever make in recovery. Gratitude is also one of the foundational virtues in the creation of happiness. When you can exercise gratitude on your road to recovery, you are less likely to relapse because you are more self-confident and empowered to move forward. A grateful attitude also helps you when challenges arise that threaten and trigger your most negative impulses. Suppose you have not been practicing gratitude and are struggling to move forward with the transition to becoming the fully-realized self that you envision. In that case, it might be time to shift your perspective and outlook and begin expressing gratitude to yourself and those that support you.
How to Avoid a Fight or Flight Response
Stress is not always emotional; it can also be a physiological experience. Whether you dislike flying, giving a presentation, or venturing outside amid the pandemic, your stress can range from inconvenient to overwhelming. It can worsen when your body begins to defend against stress in a way that is out of proportion to the stressors. When you experience this stress response, it is commonly known as the fight or flight response. It is your nervous system's way of defending you against danger.
When Is It Time to Get Professional Help For Depression?
Despite the surrounding stigmas, seeking professional help does not mean you are mentally incapable or insufficient. The truth is, most people can benefit from seeking professional help at some point in their lives. At the same time, you don't necessarily need to seek professional help for every little struggle life throws your way, especially if you have a healthy support system of family and friends. So, how do you know when you need to seek professional help? Sometimes the signs are apparent, and sometimes you might feel emotionally off and unable to understand why. If you have been ignoring these emotions and trying to endure them, know that you can be creating a more severe problem.