Recovery Enthusiast/ Recovery for Women

Your mom certainly advised you to always tell the truth. Though honesty is often the best path, there are times when a little dishonesty makes sense.   In an ideal world, you’d only speak when your words are honest, kind, and helpful. Unfortunately, there are many times the truth isn’t kind. Do you really want to tell your wife that she looks fat in her dress? Would it be appropriate to tell someone that you don’t think he could ever complete a marathon after hearing of his plans?   What if telling the truth is painful but helpful? It isn’t always cut and dry that being honest is the best policy.   Consider your options before speaking:   1.      Ask yourself how you will feel afterward. Will you feel better or worse? Look ahead and determine if you’ll regret your honesty or lack of honesty. We’ve all said things without thinking that we later regret. Consider the long-term, too. 2.      Consider how the other ...

 No lists today! I want to be frank with you. I didn't think my recovery would look like this... Early in recovery from drugs and alcohol, I was up and down, probably more down than up. I struggled with dealing with people, situations, events, work, play, relationships, pretty much every aspect of my life. I went to a lot of meetings and met a lot of great people. I started doing the steps (12 steps of AA), and I started to feel and be better. I started to have more challenging experiences as I progressed through my recovery, and my journey has been a rocky one at best. But I wouldn't trade it for anything because the life I have today is truly amazing.  Yes, there is a but coming. I was single for 5 years. Purposely so. I needed to get to know myself, love myself and be by myself. It was wonderful and sad and lonely and empowering all at once. I decided it was time to enter the dating scene again as a sober, strong, independent woman. I had learned about boundaries and commun...

Self-sabotage is uniquely human behavior. Many of us sabotage ourselves when we decide we want something by doing everything we can to ensure we don’t get it. Sound familiar? Although self-sabotage is a subconscious behavior, we can get a handle on it.   There are many reasons that you might sabotage yourself. It’s an extremely common behavior rooted in fear of the unknown. If you’ve immersed yourself in mediocrity, the idea of greatness may be frightening. Ask yourself if you’re satisfied with your life.   Find out why you may self-sabotage:   1.       Control. You might self-sabotage because you have a need to be in control of your circumstances. The easiest and most certain way to stay in control is to maintain the status quo.   ·          If you put your all into something, you run the risk of becoming vulnerable. Fear gets the best of you, and you self-sabotage.   2. ...

 Your immune system protects you from germs and other foreign substances that could make you sick by making parts of your body heat up and swell. However, sometimes it goes too far. That’s when such inflammation becomes chronic as a response to stress, junk food, or other lifestyle triggers.   This chronic inflammation is associated with many serious health issues, including diabetes, heart disease, certain cancers, arthritis, fatigue, and depression. To reduce your risk, you may need to change your diet and other daily practices.   Start with these ideas for following an anti-inflammatory lifestyle.   Eating to Reduce Inflammation:   Focus on plants. Most vegetables and fruits are rich in protective compounds like antioxidants and polyphenols. Load up on spinach, kale, berries, and citrus fruit. Some vegetables like asparagus and sweet potatoes also serve as prebiotics that tightens your gut and lower inflammation. Just m...

I find it very difficult to deal with the instant gratification of today's world. Where everything comes to us so easily and quickly, learning how to delay instead gratification becomes challenging. I know for me, particularly being a woman in recovery, my first response to any given situation is to react to fix what I'm feeling instantly and dramatically LOL. And although sometimes, when opportunity strikes, you must respond quickly but most of the time, it's best to pause and contemplate to make healthier decisions.   Learning to delay gratification can make you happier and more successful in both your personal and professional life. Psychological studies confirm what many traditions have long taught about the power of mental training: a little self-discipline can yield great results!   Here are some of the benefits of waiting for what you want, as well as techniques for becoming more patient.  Benefits of Delaying Gratification   1.    ...

 Playtime isn't just for children. Having fun is essential to your health and wellbeing at any age. When you're enjoying yourself, you're also reducing stress, increasing your energy levels, building stronger relationships, and promoting learning. Be proud of your decision to goof off on a regular basis. Take a look at these ideas to help you bring more recreation into each day.   Change Your Perspective:   Prioritize fun. Do you put off taking a break because you think you have too many responsibilities? Studies show that frequent breaks actually, help you to accomplish more. Enjoy small pleasures. Having fun doesn't have to consume a lot of time or money. Watching cartoons with your kids or walking through a puddle can brighten your day without using up your savings or vacation days. Look on the bright side. Maybe housework and boring meetings make it difficult for you to smile. Try to find a positi...

 Grieving the end of a relationship can be painful for both parties.  When we mourn the end of a relationship, it’s normal to miss your ex and the way you felt in that relationship. In healing from the pain that comes after a breakup, we need to accept, let go, and move forward. One way of accomplishing that is by journaling.   Journaling helps get your thoughts and feelings onto paper. You uncover what you’re going through and feeling, then work through solutions while writing. Physically writing down your thoughts and feelings can also help you learn more about what you want.   Understand How Journaling Can Change Your Life   Journaling about what is most meaningful to you can change your daily mood and your life. When you journal, you can write down positive thoughts, clarify personal goals, and keep track of your success.   Sometimes it can be difficult to start journaling. Journal prompts help you explore a stream of consciousness and guid...