We all know what it feels like to be physically tired. At the end of long day, as we slowly head to sleep and can’t wait for our heads to crash onto the pillow with heavy eyelids. Or maybe at the end of long walk or hike when you just can’t wait to sit down. … Read More
I was in a conversation with someone recently who was describing how difficult it was to communicate with a family member. She felt misunderstood and the more she tried to make that family member understand, the worse the conversation went. As we explored it further, I came to understand that the family member also wanted … Read More
The reflective periods that come with the end of a year and the beginning of a new one can be a wonderful time to sow dreams for the future, identify patterns of behavior, and set goals for our personal and professional life. While changing seasons and new years’ celebrations can bring much hope, they can … Read More
The other day I was speaking with one of our residents and I heard her say, “I just want to feel better.” Who wouldn’t? She had shared with me some of the things she was struggling with and my heart went out to her. But, as much as I would have liked to help relieve … Read More
One of the biggest burdens of the holiday season is that it can get overwhelming, fast. The schedule fills up, expectations are high, anxiety creeps in, the days get shorter and darker, and it can feel as though stumbling blocks to recovery are everywhere. Trying to maintain a balanced outlook, emotional health and a stable … Read More
So much of the foundation of a sustainable recovery is about learning how to tolerate, engage with and move through adverse emotions; learning how to cope with the inevitable pain and discomfort, anger and grief that comes in a way that is life-giving, rather than life-threatening. It is a process that takes unwinding, unlearning, and … Read More
We are an overstimulated society. American adults spend an average of 10.5 hours per day in front of some kind of screen. On top of that, we live in a culture obsessed with productivity, our lives move at a fast pace, and the most common answer to the casual “How are you?” Is usually (and … Read More
Almost no one enjoys pain. In fact, many distorted patterns of behavior that can become serious mental health conditions begin with the very normal desire to avoid feelings of pain – physical or emotional. As humans, so much of what we do on a daily basis is either to avoid pain or maximize pleasure. These … Read More
I learned the HALT acronym early in my recovery process, and while it is easy to remember, and logical in its construction, it was one of the most challenging tools for me to learn how to use. The word “halt” actually translates to “stop” in German, and is a technique used to remind us to … Read More
The decision to seek out care for an eating disorder, substance use disorder, mood disorder or trauma can be immensely challenging. There are many fears and questions, as well as barriers that exist to accessing quality care, so that even while there is initial relief in finally making a commitment to seek help, that hope … Read More
