National Fitness Day: Incorporating Exercise into Your Life

National Fitness Day: Incorporating Exercise into Your Life

May 17, 2021

It is too common that you begin to neglect your physical health needs after you embark on a new career venture. Soon you might find yourself with inadequate nutrition, low energy, and lack of motivation when tending to priorities outside of work, including exercise. The reason for this might be because you have shifted all of your focus to your new career opportunity. While it is great to be enthusiastic about a new career venture, some of the most necessary things to sustain success happens outside of the office.

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I’ve Lost my Motivation, What Now?

I’ve Lost my Motivation, What Now?

May 13, 2021

Early on in recovery, it might feel somewhat effortless to imagine and pursue all the exciting possibilities that lie ahead. However, recovery is a lifelong process, and as time passes and challenges arise, it can become difficult at times to want to motivate yourself to push forward until you endure. Doing the same acts day in and day out can bring you to the point of feeling completely unmotivated. Soon, the people and activities you usually enjoy might start to get on your nerves, and the meetings you attend as well as your work might not give you the same drive. Over time, doing the same thing may not serve you the same way.

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4 Ways: How Do I Change My Perspective?

4 Ways: How Do I Change My Perspective?

May 6, 2021

Challenges come in various forms to find us regardless of where we're at in life. You might be able to overcome the challenge, or perhaps the challenge is difficult to overcome and therefore has a negative impact, thus creating a negative perspective. You likely understand by now that it isn't easy to change a negative mindset into a positive outlook. Such examples include becoming upset because things don't go as planned, someone is upset at you, or you got a flat tire on the way to work.

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Don't Neglect Your Feelings

Don't Neglect Your Feelings

May 5, 2021

All human beings experience emotions. Emotions are a critical component of your life and survival. Therefore, you will experience a broad range of emotions; sometimes they are comfortable, sometimes they are uncomfortable. While experiencing unpleasant emotions is a natural part of existence, you might experience uncomfortable emotions more frequently in recovery and especially early recovery because your mind is still processing and adapting to your newfound sobriety.

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Navigating Relationships in Recovery

Navigating Relationships in Recovery

May 3, 2021

Active addiction can negatively impact your relationship within families, marriages, and friends. Likewise, a substance use disorder can also have you connecting with people that harm your mental and physical health. After years of putting your body through substance use and deteriorating your relationships, seeking recovery aims to rebuild and find healthier relationships to sustain lasting recovery. Without a strong support system, finding health, balance, and happiness in recovery will be challenging. A strong support system helps you avoid toxic relationships that put your recovery at risk. 

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A Sense of Self: Understanding Why Boundaries Matter

A Sense of Self: Understanding Why Boundaries Matter

Apr 23, 2021

Part of recovery is being able to set boundaries with others, and it is also about setting boundaries with yourself. Understanding what is important to you and detrimental to your recovery is vital in realizing what you want. Working to discover your sense of self helps you perceive your unique traits, talents, and qualities, including your strengths and weaknesses. It also helps establish your self-respect and the respect you expect from friends, family, and peers from your support groups. Knowing where to begin when discovering your sense of self can be a daunting task, but there are many effective strategies you can utilize to help boost your self-image, esteem, and overall sense of self. 

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Managing Your Social Support Systems

Managing Your Social Support Systems

Apr 18, 2021

Long-term substance use can lead to isolation and conflicts with friends and family. When this happens due to substance use, it creates destructive behaviors and causes you to feel disconnected from positive change supporters. Distancing yourself from friends and family can make the early stages of recovery very hard to tolerate. However, rebuilding and reconnecting within healthy support networks helps to break destructive behavioral patterns and decrease the risk of relapse.

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Scales, Feathers, or Fur: How Pets Aid Recovery

Scales, Feathers, or Fur: How Pets Aid Recovery

Apr 15, 2021

Pets and their positive relationships with their owners are not a new concept. There has been plenty of evidence to demonstrate the healing benefits of having a pet. It is also no question that being a pet parent can have a beneficial effect on so many aspects of your life in recovery. It influences your mental, emotional, and even professional wellbeing. If you have not yet considered a pet, or are wondering if having a pet can help benefit you, then let's take a look at the responsibilities and rewards that caring for a pet can offer.

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How Do We Stop the Stigma Behind Mental Health Disorders?

How Do We Stop the Stigma Behind Mental Health Disorders?

Apr 14, 2021

Many people who struggle with mental health disorders do not seek help. According to the National Center for Biotechnology Information, as many as 70% of people struggle with a mental health disorder on a global scale. Among the various reasons people avoid seeking help is because they have reservations about being treated differently by their family, friends, and strangers. Consequently, when undiagnosed and untreated, your symptoms can lead to a loss of professional or personal relationships.

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Touch Deprivation: How Does Touch Affect Our Physical and Mental State?

Touch Deprivation: How Does Touch Affect Our Physical and Mental State?

Apr 10, 2021

Touch deprivation refers to the desire for physical contact that people may experience after receiving little to no physical interaction with others for some time. After nearly a year of following guidelines set in place due to COVID-19, many individuals have undergone mental and physical duress, including sacrificing even the most basic needs, including human interaction.

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