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Whether you prefer country music, techno-pop beats, or the dramatic swell of a symphony, the music you listen to can elevate your mood. Recent studies conclude that even “sad” music can be uplifting. When engaged in a therapeutic setting, music has the potential to enhance memory, manage stress, and alleviate pain, according to the American Music Therapy Association. Don’t underestimate the power of your playlist!

Substance use disorder (SUD) wreaks emotional and physical damage, and in treatment, you can learn to balance your diet and reverse the effects of continuous substance abuse.

Self-care seems to be the first thing that suffers when in the throes of addiction. Even in recovery, it can be hard to motivate ourselves to take care of daily dietary and hygiene needs. These problems are exacerbated when there is a co-occurring mental illness. Our brains rely on healthy food consumption to obtain the proper nutrients needed to support brain chemicals, such as neurotransmitters and amino acids. Prolonged drug use creates permanent brain changes, and maintaining a healthy diet can make a huge difference when trying to heal your brain.

Major Depressive Disorder (MDD) with a seasonal pattern, formerly classified as Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD), affects nearly 5% of Americans. Most cases of MDD with a seasonal pattern appear during the fall and winter, but there are recorded cases of summertime MDD. If you experienced dramatic mood swings this summer, you may have the condition.

Massage therapy is more than a “spa day” favorite or celebrity pastime; when combined with traditional therapies, like cognitive behavioral therapy (CBT) or a 12-Step program, massage therapy can effectively reduce stress and muscle pain in individuals with a substance use disorder (SUD).

Alcohol is a popular addition to weddings, birthday parties, dinner celebrations, and other social events. Your journey in recovery from alcohol use disorder (AUD) does not need to circumvent these major events, as long as you are aware of the risks and prepared to face triggers.

Complementary therapies reinforce cognitive-behavioral therapy (CBT), 12-Step programs, group therapy, and other professionally facilitated forms of treatment for substance use disorder (SUD) and comorbidities. These activities engage the mind, body, and soul in unique ways, allowing for creative self-expression and healing. The Department of Health & Human Services of Australia lists aromatherapy, acupuncture, and yoga as some of the most popular complementary therapies, though rehabilitation facilities across the globe offer many different options to fulfill treatment needs for anyone in need.

The decision to pursue a romantic relationship after consideration of your mental state indicates emotional stability and increased levels of self-awareness. This is a big step, and even if you feel prepared to start a romance, your intended partner may not feel the same way. When your advances are not met with the desired reaction, you may feel embarrassed, anxious, depressed, or alone. It is easy to submit to these negative feelings, but you are strong enough to handle the temporary pain of rejection.

The day you complete a recovery program can be an incredibly joyful experience. At the same time, it can be pretty scary. You may be in a structured in-patient treatment facility or regular outpatient appointments, but the idea of suddenly tackling recovery and sobriety alone can cause a lot of stress. This is why it is important to develop an aftercare plan for an easier transition. The purpose of an aftercare plan is to support your transition from recovery, prevent relapse, and meet goals.

Using experiential therapy in recovery has become increasingly popular in recent years. In these therapies, a patient uses creative tools to re-create situations or emotions from the past. Experiential therapy recreates experiences that bring subconscious feelings, urges, or behaviors into a person's conscious awareness. These techniques are not used in recovery on their own, but often supplement parts of treatment programs to provide a patient with tailor-made treatments. It's hard to create a formal definition of experiential therapy because so many therapeutic methods can be used. Baecause of this, there are a lot of misconceptions about these techniques. Whichever technique is used, experiential therapy should provide insight into the nature of a person's behaviors and feelings.

During rehabilitation, your daily schedule will be structured according to your treatment plan. Individual therapy, group sessions, complementary therapy, recreational time, meals, and social events, will fill your days. Once you graduate from the program, however, you will probably have much more free time. Too much free time can cause boredom or restlessness, thereby increasing your risk of relapse. Unfortunately, activities like seeing a movie, visiting a museum, or shopping can be expensive. When planning your schedule, consider some low- or no-cost hobbies to occupy your time.

A “fun run” might not sound like a fun way to spend your day, but speed walking and running are excellent forms of exercise for their numerous mental and physical benefits. Everyone needs to keep active to stay healthy, and if you’re considering new ways to exercise, running might be right for you.