This podcast is all about sharing positive advice and wisdom for daily life in recovery. In this episode, I’m going to talk a little bit about depression, how it relates to addiction recovery, and 13 natural ways to find some relief.
Globally, more than 300 million people suffer from depression and it is the leading cause of disability worldwide. Depression can severely affect a person’s emotional and physical health, causing feelings of emptiness and sadness, insomnia, weight fluctuations, cognitive problems, fatigue, weakened immune system, and at its worst, suicide.
Most people in recovery are very familiar with the effects of depression because depression and substance abuse frequently co-exist. People often abuse drugs or alcohol to escape their sadness, but substance abuse can also cause depression. The cycle of depression and substance abuse often continues endlessly.
Many people turn to antidepressants to combat depression, however, prescription drugs may not always be the best choice for someone with a history of addiction. Fortunately, there are many “natural” non-medicated ways to combat depression if you’re in recovery.
Here are 13 natural ways to manage depression in recovery.
1. Establish and maintain a daily routine.
2. Set daily goals.
3. Volunteer.
4. Try aromatherapy.
5. Make some dietary changes.
6. Get moving.
7. Catch some rays.
8. Consider getting a pet.
9. Stay involved with your community support group.
10. Make music a part of your daily life.
11. Practice meditation or yoga for a few minutes each day.
12. Do something new.
13. Prioritize fun.
What is Dextromethorphan (DXM)? DXM, or dextromethorphan, is a dissociative anesthetic and a commonly-used synthetic substance found in over-the-counter cough and cold medicines.1 DXM has a long history of efficacy and safety in suppressing cough when used in therapeutic doses but it is also misused for recreational purposes, as it can cause a high.
This podcast is all about sharing positive advice and wisdom for daily life in recovery. In this episode, I’m going to share 8 hobbies that can help reduce anxiety.
Overall, researchers estimate that about 20 percent of people who suffer from addiction are also plagued by an anxiety disorder. Some studies estimate that this rate may even be as high as 50 percent among people who are suffering from trauma.
Unfortunately, anxiety doesn’t just disappear once you get sober. In fact, experiences in early recovery often cause an increase in anxiety, making it more difficult for people in recovery to stay sober. Running into old acquaintances who still use drugs, walking past a bar you used to go to frequently, being bored, or even just thinking about taking on a difficult day without a drink can cause feelings of anxiety to flare up.
Although anxiety may be a serious issue for you, there are several different hobbies that may help you develop a new sense of “normal” in your life as you adjust to sobriety.
#1. Playing a musical instrument
#2. Art and coloring
#3. Sports
#4. Gardening
#5. Yoga or Tai Chi
#6. Writing
#7. Knitting or Crocheting
#8. Volunteering with animals
This podcast is all about sharing positive advice and wisdom for daily life in recovery. In this episode, I’m going to share 10 ways you can work to develop resilience in a life of sobriety.
First of all, making the transition from addiction into a sober lifestyle requires hard work, life skills, and the ability to cope with challenges as they arise. After completing rehab, you might find yourself struggling to overcome certain setbacks that make it difficult to stay sober. This can lead to overwhelming feelings of anxiety, depression, or even a full-blown relapse.
Often, relapse is a result of a lack of resilience; an essential skill for anyone in recovery. If you’re newly sober and you’re struggling to survive the day-to-day sober, taking steps to develop your resilience can help you learn how to cope and break free from the cycle of chronic relapse.
So, what is resilience then? Psych Central defines resilience as the ability to adapt to difficult circumstances or life events. In other words, if you are resilient, you can bounce back and recover from challenging life circumstances like addiction, trauma, or financial problems. Instead of getting stuck in a bad place, you’re able to move forward and learn from the experience.
There are lots of ways you can work to develop resilience in your daily life. Whether you’ve been sober for a few days, months, or several years, here are 10 ways you can develop resilience in your own life.
#1. Make sober connections.
#2. Start viewing challenges as an opportunity to improve.
#3. Accept that you don’t have control everything.
#4. Develop personal goals and take steps to work toward them daily.
#5. Take action.
#6. Actively seek opportunities for personal growth.
#7. Believe in yourself and your abilities.
#8. Maintain a level head.
#9. Practice self-care.
#10. Nurture spiritual practices.
Relapse can happen, especially during the early stages of rehab. Although returning to rehab isn’t the only way to get back on track after a relapse, it may be necessary depending on the severity of your lapse, as well as for your overall health and safety.
If you own an Amazon Echo smart speaker, you have access to dozens of great sobriety maintenance tools you may not even know about. Whether you’re new to recovery or you’ve been sober for several months or years, these skills can add an extra layer of support to your sobriety journey. Here are some of […]
This podcast is all about sharing positive advice and wisdom for daily life in recovery. In this episode, I’m going to share 7 ways that outdoor activities can support your sobriety.
Getting outside and doing something active isn’t just good for your physical health—it also provides several great benefits for people in recovery. In fact, wilderness therapy is recognized as a beneficial form of therapy by the American Psychological Association. Research studies show that many of these programs provide significant improvements in clients’ overall motivation, life skills, interpersonal relationships, hope, self-confidence, and emotional control.
The best thing about wilderness therapy and outdoor activities is that you don’t have to be enrolled in a rehab program to experience the benefits of spending time outdoors. All you have to do is head outside. Even simple activities like a walk or a bike ride can provide so many physical, emotional, and spiritual benefits that will support your sobriety.
So, if you’re newly sober and looking for ways to enhance your substance-free lifestyle, here are seven specific ways outdoor sober activities can provide support a life in recovery.
#1. Outdoor sober activities provide opportunities for emotional discovery.
#2. Outdoor activities are healing.
#3. Outdoor sober activities improve your attitude.
#4. Outdoor sober activities push you beyond your comfort zone.
#5. Outdoor activities improve communication and your ability to work with others.
#6. Outdoor activities help you develop problem-solving skills.
#7. Outdoor activities are fun.
This podcast is all about sharing positive advice and wisdom for daily life in recovery. In this episode, I’m going to share 7 different positive things you realize about yourself when you get sober.
So, substance abuse and addiction can take a toll on the way others view us and the way we view ourselves. In fact, drug abuse itself is often a symptom of low-self esteem and self-hate. On the other hand, getting sober (and staying that way) is just as much a physical process as it is an emotional and psychological one. It’s no easy feat but the endeavor is truly a life-changing experience.
Many great things happen when you get sober and some of the best things aren’t necessarily tangible. Instead, they happen on the inside. If you are new to sobriety or you’re thinking about ditching the harmful substance abuse habits in your life, here are seven positive things you might realize about yourself when you get sober.
#1. You can trust yourself.
#2. You can be a morning person and be productive.
#3. You can cope.
#4. You have self-control.
#5. You can be a good friend.
#6. Good things can happen to you.
#7. You have interests and skills that you never knew about.
Nick Tolar is the Director of Operations at Eudaimonia Recovery Homes, the sister company of Nova Recovery Center. He oversees the general operations of our sober living homes in Austin by ensuring that all residents are held accountable and are given the tools they need to succeed in recovery.
Updated on October 7th, 2020 In 2017, an estimated 20.7 million people needed treatment for a substance use disorder but only 4 million people received treatment (about 19% of those who needed it).1 One of the most common reasons people don’t receive treatment is a lack of financial ability. Fortunately, several different options can relieve […]
