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Most people have struggled with racing thoughts at least once in their lives, some more so than others. Too often, days are spent rushing. We are constantly ten steps ahead of the present moment and our minds are filled with “to do’s” and “what if’s.” No matter how far down the checklist we get, there is always more to worry about. Unfortunately, this mindset keeps us stressed out and tense, with no time to relax and take a breath. It even infiltrates our sleeping moments, keeping us up all hours of the night, perpetuating the vicious cycle the next morning.   Addiction only intensifies this experience. Characterized by an obsessive mindset, individuals in recovery from substance use can take this incessant worrying to the next level. Unfortunately, this stress puts an extraordinary amount of pressure on a recovering addict, especially if their sleep is affected, putting them at greater risk of relapse. A major piece of the recovery process is learning to cope with stress and anxiety in a healthy way in order to enjoy the present moment and support long term sobriety. There are many ways to calm and clear the mind so that you can get back to living your life. Here are a few of our favorites.

We hear the term “emotional security” quite a bit in 12-Step programs of recovery. Many of us have seemingly placed our emotional security in the hands of others our entire lives. We have based our actions and decisions on what others want and need, as a means of maintaining personal safety. In return, we expect others to do the same for us, putting our security above their own and validating our thoughts and emotions. But what exactly does all this mean? And how do we achieve emotional security independent of others?

Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) is a 12-Step program that has helped and continues to help millions of people around the world battling drug and/or alcohol addiction. When AA was first cultivated, it was predominantly made up of people who were above the age of 30. Over time, however, the crowd got younger. Within the last decade, Alcoholics Anonymous has seen members as young as 11 years old. Because of the growing community of young people in AA, groups and committees have been organized as a way of catering to these age groups, promoting a stronger fellowship and age-appropriate activities.

Relapse is, unfortunately, a common occurrence in the recovery community. There is a multitude of reasons and justifications that your mind can come up with that will convince you to begin using drugs and/or alcohol again. It can be discouraging to find yourself obsessing over substances, even after being separated from them for a time. However, there are ways to combat these thoughts and protect your sobriety.

Yoga is a group of physical, mental, and spiritual exercises that developed long ago in ancient India. It’s a spiritual discipline that bears many benefits. Not only does yoga exercise your mind and spiritual practice, but it also exercises your body. It is a type of movement that is quite simple to ease into for people who may not already do physical exercise. For individuals in recovery from addiction, yoga can be a great form of self-care since it works towards balancing the mind, body, and spirit.

Animals have been known to perform miracles in emotional healing. After all, dogs are man’s best friend, right? They are the most self-sacrificing species and we have formed such a special bond with them. The benefits of animal therapy are numerous, to say the least. Animal therapy can offer significant healing, including support while working through trauma and learning to reconnect to emotions.

The current COVID-19 pandemic has turned our world upside down. Unfortunately, those of us struggling with mental health disorders face compounded challenges during these uncertain times. Not only are we experiencing a collective trauma that can be triggering for those of us in recovery from mental health and/or substance use disorders, but the pandemic calls for social distancing and isolation which tends to intensify mental health symptoms. While things may feel difficult, it’s important to remember that there are still many ways to stay connected and maintain our mental health. Below are some resources can be helpful during this unprecedented time.

Most people have experienced anxiety in one form or another. Sometimes it is experienced as a feeling of stress and overwhelm associated with a certain situation. Other people struggle with anxiety disorders and chronic anxiety. Panic disorder is another mental health disorder in which the sufferer experiences frequent panic attacks. In the last decade, panic attack awareness and available treatment have increased. While panic attacks may seem similar to general anxiety, understanding the differences between the two is important and plays a big role in ensuring proper diagnosis.

Statistics report that in the United States, 70% of adults have experienced at least one traumatic event in their lifetime. Of those that have experienced trauma, 20% will develop Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). About 8 million people experience PTSD in a given year and one in thirteen people will develop PTSD at some point in their life. PTSD was mainly diagnosed in veterans and was a bit controversial when it was first added to the official list of medical disorders. However, PTSD can be experienced by anyone and isn’t exclusive to just veterans that have been in war. Being diagnosed with PTSD can feel intimidating and scary, but it doesn't have to be that way.

Before coming into AA many of us had burned our relationships with family, friends, and loved ones. By working on ourselves, whether it be through 12-step programs like AA and NA, or simply by taking therapeutic direction, we can begin to rebuild these relationships. We are all social beings and, therefore, crave connection with others, despite how much easier isolation can feel. Only with honest self-reflection can we begin to make restitution to those we have hurt.

Meditation is a practice in which you use different techniques to focus and calm the mind. Consistently practicing meditation improves attention and awareness, helping to achieve improved mental clarity and a peaceful state of being. It is unsure if meditation came from India or China. Regardless, it is an ancient practice that is common today. Meditation can help with any problem that you may be experiencing and the benefits are endless. There are three main types of meditation: vipassana, chakra, and yoga.

Addiction recovery is so much more than just healing physically from addiction. The journey of sobriety provides space for people to get to know parts of themselves that may have been unrealized for years due to drinking and/or using. During this process of self-discovery, many people also uncover passion and purpose, two things that had most likely been missing from their lives prior.