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The ocean is one of the most relaxing, mysterious, and expansive things on the planet. There’s a reason everyone feels great after spending a day at the beach. The ocean has many healing powers and we can reap the benefits simply by being near it. If you don’t have access to an ocean or a large body of water, visualization is a powerful tool to connect with the healing properties of the ocean. Here are a few reasons why the ocean is such a healing force.

Most of us know that exercise is a quick and healthy way to feel more positive, fit, and generally happier. Working up a sweat while using the cardiovascular system and getting in touch with the body feels good and is good for us. Exercise is known to boost endorphins, which are the chemicals in the body responsible for making us feel positive and happy. At the end of the day, the best exercise for your recovery is the one that you enjoy doing. Working out shouldn’t feel like a chore, so choose a fitness routine that you’re going to look forward to doing, rather than dread. It’s also great to switch up your routine to avoid boredom and keep things interesting. Here are a few of the best mood-boosting exercises.

The mind-body connection has been getting a lot of mainstream attention. Ancient practices like yoga, acupuncture, and meditation have become accepted complementary therapies and activities. For a long time, mainstream western medicine took the stance that the mind and the body were separate entities, largely uninfluenced by each other. Parts of the body, brain, and self were often treated as separate from the whole. Holistic medicine and practices, which have been gaining popularity and seeing a resurgence over the past several years, recognizes the intricate connections between all parts of ourselves. Holistic medicine can simply be defined as a practice that considers all parts of the whole person including mind, body, spirit, and emotions. By looking at the whole person and addressing the interconnectedness of the mind and the body, we can strive for optimal wellness and integration. To achieve health and an overall feeling of wellbeing, holistic medicine stresses the importance of the mind-body connection, and in fact the connection between all parts of ourselves, including the ways in which our environment might be impacting us. In this article, we’ll dive into the definition of the mind-body connection, why it’s important, and some practical ways we can strive to improve this connection.

Stressed out? Here are some sustainable ways to cope during hard times. Finding and living with healthy coping mechanisms is a lifelong practice that we learn to harness in recovery. There are many ways to cope, both healthy and unhealthy, which we will discuss in this article. We will also dive into the importance of self-awareness and preparing for times of increased stress using self-care rituals. Most importantly, be kind to yourself as you take the journey into healthy coping mechanisms. It’s not always easy, but it will make life more sustainable, less stressful, and more full.

A look at the profound effects of the breath on our state of mind. We breathe involuntarily. It’s one of the many functions that our body performs naturally, without our conscious awareness. Have you ever stopped to notice your breathing patterns during a stressful event? Typically, the breath is shallow, quick, and focused on the chest. It may even be hyperventalatory, meaning that you’re not taking in enough oxygen. Likewise, if you stop and observe your breath while you’re relaxed, either in meditation or sitting near the ocean or chatting with loved ones, your breath is likely to be slow, steady, rhythmic, and deep. While the breath is something that happens naturally in the body, we can also control it. The beauty of being in tune with the breath is that we can actually change our states of mind when we change our breathing patterns. Here, we’ll discuss how breath impacts mental health and a few ways to use the breath in order to live a calmer, more relaxed life.

Meditation has become mainstream due to its incredibly powerful effects on our minds, bodies, and spirits. It’s often touted as simple. After all, meditation is all about stilling the mind, sitting in one place, and basically “doing nothing.” How hard could it be? The truth is because our minds are so active, often bouncing from one subject to another all day, it’s very difficult to quiet the chatter in our heads and simply sit. While our brains need to rest and reset, our egos are naturally very resistant to quietly observing our thoughts instead of taking action, thinking about the future, or dwelling on the past. Here are a few tips for the beginner meditator to keep in mind while attempting to still the mind and be here now.

The importance of finding meaning in your life through your values and vision. Throughout life, and especially in recovery, it’s common to ask questions about our life’s meaning and purpose. You might find yourself wondering why you’re here, where you’re headed, and why you’re in recovery. These questions are common and completely normal. In fact, it’s great to ask these kinds of questions, as they help us to more fully understand ourselves on more complex levels. Having a purpose helps us to navigate the world in more meaningful ways. Your purpose is like your north star. It guides you through the hard times and acts like a light that you can strive for and live by. Here are a few questions to ask yourself when trying to figure out your life purpose.

As kids, our creativity and imagination are often nurtured and encouraged. We played, felt carefree, and ran around. As adults, it’s easy to forget that we are all inherently creative beings, as creativity simply refers to imagination, innovation, vision, and originality. While we all have the potential for creativity and innovation, we don’t always feel the creative fire. You don’t need to be a self-described artist to be creative. We all possess the power of self-expression. In this article, we’ll discuss some simple ways to boost creativity and feel more enlivened.

The colors of the rainbow, found in the natural world, offer powerful healing benefits and meaningful insight.  Colors have been used for centuries to induce certain moods, promote healing, ease stress, and create a mood. All of the colors of the rainbow are found in various forms throughout nature. All we have to do is pay attention and be present. Artists, interior designers, healers, and color therapists understand the tremendous impact that colors have on our moods. As humans, we are susceptible to the energy of our environments. For instance, a room painted red will have a very different feeling, look, and effect on your mood than a room painted white or beige. Similarly, when we spend time in nature, we typically feel more alive, refreshed, and connected than when we spent lots of time indoors. In this article, we’ll look at various colors, where they can be found in the natural world, and what kind of healing powers and mood enhancements they can offer. We’ll also talk about some practical ways to incorporate the magic of color into your everyday life.

In a world of constant exposure to social media, we are definitely saturated with screens of all sorts. From iPhones to our laptops to television, screen time is omnipresent in our society. While all of this connection via social media and texting can be great, it can also make us feel the opposite of connected. With our heads down and our minds on our phones, it can feel impossible to be fully present in the moment. In turn, our mental and physical health suffers. In this article, we’ll delve into some of the reasons why decreasing screentime can greatly improve both mental and physical health, as well as practical ways to reduce your own amount of screentime.

Appreciating life and recovery as seasonal, cyclical, and filled with change. Life moves in seasons and cycles, not in straight lines. We often hear the same about the recovery process. It’s not necessarily a straight line from point A to point B. Recovery is filled with cycles, seasons, ups, and downs. The end of September marks the end of the summer season and the beginning of autumn in the northern hemisphere. Seasonal transitions are an excellent time to reflect upon your progress, be present, and set goals for the season ahead. Fall, in particular, is a wonderful time to release what no longer serves you, just as the trees will be shedding their leaves. Let’s talk about a few ways to ease the transition into autumn and bid farewell to the summer.

You’ve probably experienced a “gut feeling” or a “gut reaction” to something. People have been talking about the “gut-brain connection” for a while now and research keeps pouring in about the connection between a healthy brain and a healthy gut. While this topic is trending, and for good reason, what does the gut-brain connection really mean and how can you use it to your advantage? In this article, we’ll unpack the details and science behind the gut-brain connection and talk about some practical ways you can use food to increase digestive health and overall happiness.