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Many Americans explain yoga as something that you “do”, but this isn’t quite the case. As it was originally developed into, yoga is a natural state of being – it’s a spiritual discipline that involves breath control, simple meditation, and the incorporation of certain bodily postures to promote health and relaxation. So many people throughout America are practicing the art of yoga each and everyday, and for a number of reasons: flexibility, general conditioning, stress relief, improvement of overall health, and physical fitness. If you’re currently in addiction recovery but are contemplating yoga and are nervous to get started, the reality is that so many other people can do it: why can’t you?  Perhaps you’re in addiction or mental illness recovery, and you’re questioning your flexibility. You may think you’re too big, too old, or “too much” of something to be able to practice yoga – if this is the case, you need to immediately push those thoughts aside because they’re not true. Unless you’ve got a serious health condition that could cause you harm, anyone can practice yoga. The best part is that there are many types of yoga, such as:

If you struggle with depression, then you know how it feels to be isolated and wondering where you fit within this world. Depression is a harmful disease that involves changes in sleep, appetite, energy level, concentration, daily behavior, self-esteem, and more. Other physical signs of depression may include migraines, joint pain such as fibromyalgia, digestive problems such as constipation and bloating, chest pain, back pain with tension in the neck, and more – all of which can make daily life more and more difficult if not treated. Previous studies have shown that most people with depression experience aches and pains; if you’ve been struggling with symptoms of depression, Avalon Malibu can help you reach healing at the levels of your mind, body and spirit. Research has shown that depression can grealty help reduce feelings of loneliness and isolation, and can help with pain management as well. While depression can make it challenging to get out and receive massage therapy, it’s a very conducive type of treatment because it essentially involves healthy human touch – and this alone can prove to be very relaxing for many people in recovery. Massage therapy can relieve stress, reduce anxiety, manage lower back pain, reduce muscle tension, relieve tension headaches, improve balance, lower blood pressure, and much more. Avalon Malibu offers massage therapy that can be completed alongside traditional treatment programs activities; if received on a consistent basis, massage therapy can really help a person experience healing over time. In a relaxing setting, you will be able to release all of the pent up stress, energy, and tension acquired from life’s obstacles. If you haven’t already, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu about seeking treatment for addiction recovery as well as mental illness. Depression can be a heavy weight to carry, but you don’t have to carry it alone – help is available.

A personality disorder is a form of mental illness that can affect nearly every aspect of a person’s life; it can make relationships, careers, and daily life challenging if not treated appropriately. Many people who suffer from a personality disorder may show symptoms but may not recognize that they’re experiencing a disorder. By understanding the different characteristics that can take place, you can better assess if you or a love done needs help:

Many people with mental illness are limited in their ability to find and create a rich, meaningful life either due to the heavy stigma that's placed on them by society, not many opportunities for growth, or because the symptoms of their mental illness prevent them from carrying out certain aspects of their daily life. When it comes to recovery, it’s crucial for a person to be able to make sense of their experiences. If you’re ready to get involved in a program that will support your mental, physical and spiritual health, speak with a professional from Avalon Malibu today. Research studies have previously explored leisure activities and how they’ve aided in a person’s success in addiction recovery. There are so many examples of activities that can be relaxing for a person who is working on their sobriety, such as hiking and other recreational activities, running, quilting, volunteering, storytelling, and more. If a person becomes involved in more leisurely activities, they’re likely to experience an enhanced way of life in a multitude of ways:

Heroin is a drug made from morphine – and is typically consumed by injecting, sniffing, snorting or smoking it. When a person consumes morphine, it immediately binds to opioid receptors located in the brain. When this happens, a number of physiological symptoms are impacted – such as heart rate, sleeping, and breathing. Heroin is an illicit opioid that produces effects like dry mouth, heavy feelings in the arms and legs, severe itching, nausea and vomiting, clouded mental functioning and more; heroin is incredibly addictive and can become extremely dangerous for a person if severe addiction is developed yet no treatment is sought. For those who do want to recover from heroin addiction, it can be incredibly hard if their significant other – or close friends – are still battling with it. Many people who experience this find that their lives continued to be disrupted because the occurrence of heroin continues to interfere with their daily life, even if they themselves are not using it anymore. Heroin can completely change the way a person thinks and behaves; many people who’ve abused heroin have described it as something that pulls a “warm feeling” over them, with little to no worries. Of course, this may sound euphoric – but the effects last only for a short period of time, and there are a myriad of unpleasant effects that can occur if a person were to ever recover, such as:

So many people have read the warning labels on medications, to not be taken with alcohol, yet there are so many of us who still continue to do this harmful practice. The common belief is that alcohol either helps intensify the effects of the medication, helps the person relax more, or both. However, what many people don’t realize is that it could become a dangerous combination, depending on how much alcohol and what type of medication it is. Nearly half of people who drink alcohol with medication are at risk for having a bad reaction – so understanding the reality behind this situation could prevent a person from undue harm.

Before the ball drops, many people hold deep within themselves these wishes and goals that they’d like to achieve for the upcoming year – goals associated with career, personal growth, relationships and more. Some may reflect on their last year’s goals and feel disappointed because perhaps they didn’t meet the goals they initially set out for. Goals for the next year may include losing weight, drinking less, smoking less, traveling more, spending more time with family, and others – but no matter how much a person wishes to achieve these goals, that doesn’t always mean that they work out. As this new year begins to unfold, it’s time to think realistically. Truth be told, many people don’t achieve their resolutions because they make too many resolutions without focusing on their goals one step at a time. Habits are difficult to break because they have become conditioned behaviors – we have learned to act without thinking. When this happens, we automatically hold back from making any change because we continue to do what we have always done. It becomes so much easier to follow pattern than to create a change in our lives, and that’s why many goals fall by the wayside. Deep down inside, many of us fear failure. We are afraid that if we try to make the change, we may prove to ourselves that we truly aren’t “good enough” or “strong enough” or “dedicated enough” to make our goals happen. For many of us, these fears lie deep down within – and it’s incredibly hard to acknowledge or even recognize. These deep beliefs and fears withhold us from our true potential and cause inner conflict, which then seeps out into other areas of our lives. If you are going to make a New Year’s resolution, don’t commit yourself to an entire year right away. Focus on that week or that month. Slowly work your way into a healthier habit.

Whether you’re in recovery or not, you may be trying to figure out what you’re going to do for Christmas or New Years. Both of these holidays can bring about a lot of stress and anxiety if you hold certain expectations about the holiday and how it should go. Many people enjoy going out to eat with their friends or significant other, while others may decide to host something at home or even make themselves dinner at home and relax. No matter what you decide to do for the holidays this year, make sure you boost your recovery by incorporating the following foods into your diet:

Many people who’ve battled with mental illness and addiction have been neglected or forgotten by their loved ones because they were deemed “too hard to deal with”. As humans, we all experience painful situations and moments in life, but it can be particularly destroying to feel as though we’re not being loved unconditionally by those who matter most to us. A treatment center should not be a place that perpetuates these feelings – it should be a place of love, acceptance, and nurturement so that a person can thrive in recovery.  In many cases, both addiction and mental illness have developed out of painful situations from the past or even difficult emotions. Treatment programs that focus strictly on changing outward behavior, or ones that only provide support only for what’s seen on the physical side cannot truly provide their clients with unconditional love – the parts that make everyone human cannot be recognized. The reality is that addiction and mental illness involve more than just themselves; they involve finances, health, relationships, nutrition and so much more, and all of these aspects of living need to be tended to as well. You deserve to have full support throughout your recovery. Not receiving this could be very detrimental to your success in recovery; unfortunately, too many people are discharged from treatment and come back over and over again, not achieving their desired results because they weren’t given the proper love and care to begin with. This case, as well as previous research, underlines the importance of full love and support as you work to better yourself in recovery. You should feel that your voice is heard and that your preferences – if they are in line with what you need – are met.  If you’re ready to meet with a treatment center that truly cares about your mental, physical and spiritual wellbeing, speak with a. professional from Avalon Malibu today.

Along with the holidays comes planning gatherings, cooking meals, buying gifts for friends and family, decorating the house, getting together with loved ones, talking about daily lives, driving to and from places, and much more. Many aspects of the holidays can be stressful; if you’ve recently lost ties with family members because of addiction, or if you’re in addiction recovery and find it hard to celebrate with friends and family for Christmas as you usually do, the stress and anxiety can really pack on. Mindfulness is a wonderful technique that can help you stay grounded, focused, and relaxed – try these mindful tricks to help you through the holiday season:

While the topic of addiction tends to revolve around loved ones who are battling with this dangerous disease, families have a foundation that can be significantly disrupted when a loved one is involved. Personally, family members tend to experience a rollercoaster of emotions that can affect the way the family functions as a system overall, and, if not resolved in a healthy manner, family members may break to the point of miscommunication and, ultimately, severed ties. If your family is currently in recovery from addiction, it will be long process – but with the right tools and resources from Avalon Malibu, you’ll be just fine. Self-care is needed in order for a person to feel mentally, physically and spiritually fit. It is defined in deliberate actions, and truly depends on what a person feels they need to heal and recover. Family members – both individually and as a whole – need to be implementing self care on a daily basis and as soon as possible in order for the healing process to jumpstart; of course, self-care and healing truly take place when a person is personally ready for it. Family members who have hope, who practice healthy coping skills and who are ready to change tend to experience the greatest effects of healing in recovery. During this vulnerable time, family members can practice a range of other self-care activities, such as:

So many things happen on Christmas. Parties, dancing, food, music, games – with so much going on, it’s easy for those in addiction recovery to feel overwhelmed. While Christmas time can be a wonderful time to spend with friends and family, there are many physical and psychological risks that can take place. By remaining aware of how you’re feeling, what you’re thinking and what it is you need, you’ll be able to ensure that you have an excellent holiday. Keep the following reminders in mind: