Category Archives: Mindfulness

Consequences of Not Having a Work-Life Balance

work-life-balance-beach-pebbles-balanced-on-top-of-one-another

Work plays an important part in your lives, not only for the economic resources and benefits, but because work is an essential part of a person’s identity, self-esteem, and self-worth. The more you excel at work, the more you may feel satisfied and self-assured. However, a work-life imbalance leaves you vulnerable to family conflicts, burnout, […]

An Overview of Stress

Depressed man covering his face red filter effect

In the course of your daily life, it is normal to experience one or more demands that place mental, physical, and emotional pressure on you. Stress is how the brain responds to danger, obstacles, or demands, and the circumstances that lead to stress are many and varied. Stress is common and impacts each person differently. […]

Defense Mechanisms

Boxer Hand Wraps Protection Knuckle Concept

Defense mechanisms offer protection from stress or anxiety by allowing the individual to adapt to internal conflict and stressors. They circumvent thoughts or situations that are anxiety-inducing. Defense mechanisms, as described by Sigmund Freud, include:     Regression: Regression occurs when a person retreats to behavior that occurred during an earlier developmental period. For example, a person […]

Social Media and Sobriety

Social media audience crowd filming through smartphones

Let’s face it, technology is probably a major part of your everyday life. You probably use one or more social media platforms, the most popular being Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and Tik Tok. There are many benefits to using social media, but it can be harmful, especially during the recovery process. No matter where you are […]

25 Affirmations to Use in Drug and Alcohol Treatment

doing a thumbs up

Affirmations are short, powerful statements that help you overcome your negative thoughts, manifest goals, and empower yourself. Using affirmative language builds confidence and motivates you to maintain your mental, physical, and emotional well-being. Here are 25 affirmations for individuals that are battling addiction:     My life is free of drugs and alcohol and I am stronger […]

Finding Self-Forgiveness

Feelings of guilt and shame are common for those in the throes of addiction. There will be countless times throughout your recovery where you will reflect on your past and, if you do not know how to manage the feelings of guilt that come with that, that reflection can lead to a world of self-doubt, […]

What is Vitamin D Deficiency?

Anaheim Hills, Anaheim, United States

Vitamin D deficiency is a common condition with implications for mental health. Several randomized controlled trials have now shown that raising vitamin D levels in individuals with a deficiency can help mitigate the effects of depression. You obtain vitamin D through food and the sun. With summer right around the corner, spending time outdoors with […]

How Emotional Landscaping Can Help You

man-outdoors-Valiant-Living-Recovery

If you could picture your emotion as a landscape, what would you draw? Where would you be? If you could place yourself in the image, where would you place yourself? Mapping out your feelings can be a helpful exercise to sit with discomfort and embrace the message your emotion is trying to send. This is an […]

The Basics of Problem-Solving Therapy (PST)

man-thinking

Problem-solving therapy (PST) is an evidence-based practice to help people work through problems. It involves seven steps. These steps include: Identifying the problem Setting the goal Brainstorming options Weighing the pros and cons Selection of the best option(s) Creating an action plan Evaluating the outcome What to Expect in a Session You will meet with […]

Empowerment in Practice

Empowerment theory encourages groups of people to band together to overcome adversity. There are three tenants of cognitive empowerment, according to Gutiérrez in “Understanding the empowerment process: Does consciousness make a difference?” They include identifying similar others, redistributing self-blame for past events, and developing a sense of personal freedom. This directly applies to recovery. To […]