Blog

Early recovery is a tumultuous time for those dealing with the effects of addiction, mental health disorders, or a combination of the two. Strength and willpower are often touted as noble efforts to be sustained through these difficult times. In recovery, you may hear that you need to "stay strong" to face the uncertainties of the recovery process. While this notion is birthed from a positive, supportive mindset, maintaining a facade of strength can also be detrimental. Navigating your recovery while maintaining a false sense of stability can work against your goals for recovery.

Codependency is often a learned behavior originating within an individual's family system. Just as the experience of trauma can be generational, codependency is often generational as well, meaning it is passed down from one generation to the next. It is frequently present within the relationships of individuals and families who have experienced substance use disorder (SUD), trauma, abuse, mental illness, and even physical illness. One-on-one psychotherapy or family therapy is a great place to begin healing from codependent relationships of any kind.

Living in a capitalist society means that we are consumers whether we want to be or not — otherwise, consumerism and capitalism would not exist. However, living in a capitalist society is correlated with increased rates of mental illness in the United States. Capitalism and feeling like you must always be consuming can lead to harmful narratives that you never have enough, leading to poor financial wellness and dissatisfaction. Choosing to intentionally shift out of consumerism and into what truly brings you joy and satisfaction can increase the presence of pleasure and fulfillment in your life. Doing so can lead to improved mental wellness and a focus on what actually matters to you.

Although you do not have to meditate to be mindful, meditation is a great way to bring mindfulness into your life. Beginning a meditation practice may feel challenging at first, but it can become more comfortable over time.

One-on-one psychotherapy is a powerful way to lean into self-discovery while cultivating self-awareness and self-acceptance. Even though psychotherapy serves as a launchpad for healing and growth, it can also feel intimidating and scary as it requires you to be vulnerable with someone you do not know well. Knowing that this experience is common and normal can be helpful as you begin meeting with your therapist.

The way you speak to and about yourself can either lead you closer to your goals or further away from them. Learning what "core self-talk" is, what yours sounds like, how it makes you feel, and how to shift it is essential to cultivating self-acceptance and self-confidence.

Recovery is a complicated and arduous process, and while it comes with a myriad of difficulties, it is possible for anyone willing to commit. There is a difference between managing some of the complications that accompany addiction and a dedicated approach to recovery. Addiction is a disease without any definite cure. Managing symptoms can help to mitigate some of the overwhelming stresses, anxiety, depression, or other mental, emotional, and physical aspects of addiction. However, in order to alleviate these symptoms long term, you must dedicate yourself to recovery. Responding to these symptoms can be the catalyst for a more impactful, transformative path ahead.

With the new year beginning, diet culture is running more rampant than during any other time of year. Diet culture is the sneaky way health and wellness culture disguises restrictive and obsessive diet and fitness trends that, more often than not, lead to eating disorders, disordered eating, and negative body image. According to the National Eating Disorders Association's (NEDA) "Collegiate Survey Project," 35% of "normal" dieters will progress to pathological dieting, and 20-25% of those within that group will develop some type of eating disorder shortly after. Instead of a rigid set of rules that encourages disordered eating, it is important to cultivate a healthy relationship with food, yourself, and your body.

The beginning of the new year can offer a feeling of having a fresh start and the opportunity to start the year off by prioritizing yourself, your goals, and your holistic wellness. With the energy the start of the year can offer, it can also be easy to get wrapped up in "hustle culture" and feel like you have to complete all of your goals within the first months of the new year. This can feel overwhelming and lead to burnout, chasing goals that may not align with your beliefs.

Stress is a common occurrence throughout everyday life. While the sources of stress can change, the universal experience of stress is a constant struggle that can whittle your mental health and emotional resiliency. Due to these stresses, you may find that taking a day off is necessary. There are ways to help improve the efficacy of this time off. Doing so can provide you with the required rest, relaxation, and mental and emotional rejuvenation necessary to avoid the more detrimental sides of stress.

Addiction is an uncurbable disease whose symptoms make detection and diagnosis a complex road to navigate. You can learn to cope with the lingering effects of addiction that may never cease. This does not mean that living a healthy, sober life is impossible; there is hope. There are many strategies available to help you continue to build a lifestyle centered on sobriety, even after your primary treatment program has concluded. Aftercare is essential to balancing your newfound lease on life.

Helping a loved one through the turbulent journey of addiction recovery is a noble effort. Wanting your loved one to transform and succeed takes dedication and empathy in equal measure. It is essential to set boundaries between yourself and their recovery efforts. While helping them through this time is important, caring for yourself and maintaining a healthy personal life is just as important. Creating clear boundaries early on in recovery can help establish a healthy relationship with your loved one's sobriety while tending to your own emotional, mental, and social needs.