Admitting that you have a problem is the first step. Unfortunately, there’s a lot more to substance abuse recovery than just words. Whether you’re looking for holistic drug and alcohol treatment or just seeking basic information about kicking the habit, here are 10 tips that you might find helpful during your recovery.

1. Know Your Weaknesses

It doesn’t matter if it’s booze, pills or something even more illicit. The most important thing is that you recognize what your weaknesses are and how to avoid them. For example, if you can’t resist the siren song of that old liquor store, take a new route home from work.

2. Ask for Help

Recovery is much easier with the support of family and friends. You might need to take things slow if you’ve already burned your bridges with particular people, but there’s always someone out there who’s willing to give you another chance. If it isn’t a loved one, it might be a sponsor with your local AA/NA group.

3. Form New Habits

Stress is one of the leading causes of relapse, so it helps to figure out in advance how you’re going to handle the next big challenge in your life without turning to drugs or alcohol. Maybe it’s a breathing technique; maybe it’s a new fitness routine. As long as it works for you, embrace it.

4. Utilize Online Resources

There are many blogs, websites, podcasts and forums devoted to addiction recovery, so don’t be afraid to poke the world wide web and see what comes out. Sites like Sober Nation can help you stay motivated and resist temptation, and they’ll also connect you with other people who are struggling with the same demons that you are.

5. Help Others To Help Yourself

Many former addicts find peace in performing charitable acts. It gets them out of their own heads and makes them feel like they’re doing something meaningful with their lives. If this sounds soothing to you as well, consider volunteering your time at a soup kitchen or sponsoring a little kid overseas. If you fill your days with goodness, it’s much harder to let the bad thoughts take over.

6. Keep A Journal

Try to make a habit of writing in a journal every day. Even if it’s just a few sentences about how much you struggled not to relapse, it can be highly motivating to look back on dark days and realize that you got through them despite everything. You might also learn new things about yourself and your thinking patterns if you’re able to look at them in black and white.

7. Have an Accountability Partner

This is someone that you’ll have to inform if you fall off the wagon. The thought of disappointing them might help you resist your cravings long enough to take preventative action like going outside, eating something or burying yourself in a hobby. Keep this person in your thoughts whenever you feel like slipping.

8. Improve Your Diet

Discipline in one area of your life often leads to discipline in another, so think about adding more greens to your pantry or cutting back on sugary snacks. You might even try your hand at cooking; it’s a precise, methodical hobby that involves a lot of focus, so it can keep your mind occupied on something other than using.

9. Give Yourself Plenty of Distractions

Have you ever noticed that a craving goes away if you don’t pay attention to it? This applies to everything from junk food to illegal drugs. By surrounding yourself with books, movies, games, puzzles, crafts and other time-wasters, you can have something to anchor you to reality while your demons are trying to pull you away.

10. Aim Small

Last but certainly not least, don’t try to conquer a mountain before you know how to climb. One of the most basic pieces of recovery advice is to take things one day at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed by the thought of staying clean for months or even weeks; just focus on making it until midnight without breaking your self-control. The next day, make it until midnight again.

Recovery is never easy, but the most important thing is that you’re here. You’re reading about addiction and how to get through it. You want to change. This is a very good step in the right direction, so let it be the first of many as you kick your bad habits to the curb and start a new life.

Many if not most of us want to have a ton of energy, be in a good mood, and feel great about the way we look. These are all realities that materialize in conjunction with good health, and that is why you should focus on cultivating the highest level of wellness possible. Below you’ll find just three of many simple strategies that you can deploy to become a healthier person:

1. Find An Exercise You Love.

It’s no secret that regular exercise plays a profound role in empowering people to look and feel their very best. Yet we live in a sedentary society where the majority of people don’t attain the recommended amount of daily exercise. If you’re a sedentary person, now is the time to get off the couch and find an exercise you love so you can stick to a fitness routine. Note that there are hundreds of different physical activities you can engage in. Some of them include:

• rowing
• indoor rock climbing
• swimming
• yoga
• pilates
• tae-bo
• cycling
• weight-lifting

You may have to try a few exercises before you figure out which ones you love the most!

2. Implement A Meal Plan.

In addition to engaging in physical activity on a regular basis, make sure that you implement a meal plan. This step will empower you to ensure that you’re consistently eating nutrient dense food that will enable your body to function correctly. If you’re unfamiliar with the world of nutrition, note that you can hire a nutritionist to put together a cutting edge, customized meal plan on your behalf!

3. Utilize Behavioral Health Strategies.

Although a large part of cultivating great health pertains to your diet and exercise, it’s important to note that these are just two factors that go into promoting optimal wellness. Another factor to consider is behavioral health. This field is broadly defined but can be summarized as the sector which focuses on examining actions and attitudes for the purpose of eliminating any behaviors that are not conducive to physical and mental well-being. For example, organizations such as Engage Behavioral Health will provide clients with verbal behavior therapy services to help ensure that their children are engaging in more meaningful conversations with other people.

Work Towards Greater Health Now!

Greater health can be yours if you adopt a strategic approach to the wellness process. This article provides you with three techniques you can deploy to make greater health a reality. Start implementing these strategies now so you can begin seeing results!

It is wonderful to finally spend some time outdoors after a long winter of being cooped up inside. Unfortunately, many people are so busy with their day to day jobs and activities that they don’t make the time to go outside. Spring will be gone before you know it, so find a way to fit the great outdoors into your schedule.

Sometimes scheduling an outdoor adventure is the only way to make it happen. Get together with friends and family to find out what day would be best. Just make sure to check the local forecast. Spring is also known for those wonderful showers that bring the May flowers.

If you aren’t sure what to do outdoors, consider a picnic. Choose a park that offers picnic areas as well as hiking trails, lakes, and other sources of fun. A walk through the woods or around a lake is the perfect way to connect with nature. Spring is really enjoyable due to all of the plants that are just beginning to grow. Watch for the early blooms as well as flowering trees that are simply beautiful.

Head outdoors prepared for all that spring brings with it. Wear waterproof shoes. The ground can be quite damp at this time of year from rain showers and melting snow. You may also want to wear layered clothing. Mornings can be chilly, but temperatures rise in the afternoon. You can shed your layers as the air warms up.

Being prepared can also mean dealing with health related issues. Certain areas are more likely to have tics than others. Wear long pants, socks, and shoes that keep your legs and feet covered. Allergies can also be a problem. Some people require medication to keep them under control. If you are thinking about allergy testing Somerset County NJ has many qualified allergy doctors that can help like those at the Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center.

Now that you have a plan, have scheduled a day with friends and family, and prepared yourself, you are ready to enjoy all that spring has to offer. By spending some much needed time outside after another long winter, you will find yourself feeling energized and rejuvenated. The fresh spring air and warm sunshine will lift your spirits as well as improve your attitude.

We all know that too much stress is not good for us, but do we really take all the necessary steps in order to tackle its excess? Most of us, especially those who work in offices, live hectic lives that leave little room for activities such as exercise, recreation, or even sleep. In this article I am going to give you some ideas to tackle the problem of stress and its negative effects on the workforce.

I am sure that you would all agree with me that too much stress in the workplace can greatly increase the effectiveness of those who work. Stress reduces our ability to focus, makes us more prone to illnesses, and reduces our overall ability to work. It is not a surprise then that most employers these days take this matter more and more seriously and take the necessary steps to help their employees help to be less stressed and happier. They do it by encouraging the following actions:

1.Getting more exercise. If you think that you can live without exercise, you might be right that you can live without it, but your life will become so much better once you actually begin to exercise on a regular basis. Even as little as 15 minutes of workout a day can already make a huge difference. Choose an activity that suits your fitness level and move up from there until you are ready to exercise even more.
2. Getting more sleep. The truth is that most of us do not get us much sleep as we should. It might be easier said than done, but believe me, you will feel so much better after 8 hours of sleep compared to those 5 or 6 hours you are probably usually getting. Most adults need between 7-9 hours of sleep, so make sure that you don’t overlook the importance of good sleep. This is usually the easiest way to deal with your stress that you are exposed to every day.
3. Contacting bluecrest wellness to get help from a team of experts who are ready to offer their expertise as well as experience to help employers tackle the problems of stress in the workplace.

Those who have been following the news recently may have noted the change of drug abuse policy that has been coming from the White House. During the Obama era, government officials were less likely to prosecute drug activity, choosing instead to try to treat the individual first rather than criminalize the behavior. Under Jeff Sessions’ new drug policies, the government is changing its stance and returning to prior Congressional measure to rein in drug abuse.

Whichever method is used, the most important thing is to help addicts successfully win their own battles against drug addiction while re-integrating them into society. Thankfully, there are several effective and proven measures that can be taken to combat drug abuse, including abuse of street drugs as well as prescription medications. While one or two steps that are taken are indeed helpful, society as a whole will experience the most improvement in drug abuse when all five options are integrated throughout the United States.

Educate Individuals about the Signs of Drug Abuse
If you know the most common signs of drug abuse, you will be in a position to help your loved ones to seek treatment for their dangerous habits. Signs of prescription drug abuse in particular include running out of the medication too soon, taking more medication than is prescribed, using medications prescribed for other people and combining medications with alcohol. Other physical signs and symptoms of all types of drug abuse include headaches, nausea, sweatiness, shakiness and bloodshot eyes.

Educate Individuals about Drug Abuse Prevention
A key to stopping drug abuse in its tracks is to teach people how to prevent drug abuse before it starts. This education should start with teenagers and should continue on through adulthood. Individuals should be taught about the physical and mental symptoms that they would experience with drug abuse. They should also be taught about places where they can turn should they feel tempted by drugs. Many communities offer alternative programs for teens and young adults that replace the need to go to a nightclub or a bar, such as outdoor movie nights or concerts. Everyone should be open and honest with doctors when asked drug abuse screening questions because this can be one of the best ways to prevent drug abuse.

Increase the Availability of Drug Abuse Programs
While many large cities boast drug abuse programs, smaller towns and rural areas often have very few options. Thankfully, there are many option for those looking for a Texas Detox Center because of the size of the state. The good news is that when more affordable programs are available, individuals will be more apt to continue treatments until completion. Programs should be geared toward the busy lifestyles that most people follow today and should include programs of varying lengths, such as those offered by AnyLength Retreat.

Use Medications along with Behavioral Therapy
While behavioral therapies are very effective for many people and are often used effectively for follow-up care, it is a somewhat antiquated option that should be used along with newer, more effective treatment options. Numerous medications have been used in increasing frequencies in rehab centers with great success. Suboxone is one option that has become quite popular. Other options include methadone, naloxone and Vivitrol. By combining medication therapies with behavioral therapies, individuals have the best opportunities for drug rehab success.

Provide Community Services for Follow-Up Care
Without appropriate follow-up care, individuals who have gone through drug rehab are at increased risk of falling back into their old, dangerous habits. There are a variety of types of follow-up care that are frequently offered, such as individual support groups, 12-step systems and family support systems. It is vital that people who have completed detox programs continue in aftercare programs for at least five years to decrease the chance of relapse. Many people find that they make numerous friends while attending these groups.

Perhaps you know someone who is displaying the signs of drug abuse. Maybe you know that you have a problem with street or prescription drugs. By getting into a treatment program, you can improve the quality of your life as well as the quality of life of those around you, including your family and friends. Just because you have fallen once or have returned to a dangerous lifestyle of drugs does not mean you have to stay there. Even with changes in governmental policies, you can experience a life of physical and mental freedom and that fulfills your dreams.

Waking up each morning with a sore neck is the absolute worst. It wakes you up in a bad mood and completely ruins your chances of starting the day with a spring in your step.

Luckily it’s usually quite an easy fix, because the problem lies in your pillow. There are loads of great pillows designed to help neck pain  and they are an absolutely worthy investment.

Basically, your head should be horizontal with your body, If it’s held to high or sinks in too deep then that’s where you start running into problems.

If you don’t quite understand check out the diagram below from Insomnia.net of the problems a back sleeper can face when he doesn’t have the right support.

It doesn’t matter if you’re on your side or your back, if your neck isn’t held in the proper position you’re going to wake up with a sore neck. But what causes this bad support? It’s usually one of two things:

1. Your pillow is old

Old pillows have gone through a lot. Countless nights of having heads flattened down on them, it’s left them flat and lifeless and in need of retirement. Pillows normally last 1-2 years before they need to be replaced.

Now a new pillow is still plump and firm, exactly what you need to keep your head in the right position.

2. Wrong Filing

You have to make sure you’re getting the right type of pillow if you’re getting neck pain. A feather pillow, for instance, will offer you next to no support, your head just sinks all the way through. Some synthetic pillows are OK but the real magic comes from memory foam.

Memory foam pillows are firm yet spongy so your head sinks into the correct position while taking the pressure off your neck. Exactly what you need to deal with a stiff neck.

What about sleeping position?

The only sleeping position that can really affect your neck pain is if you sleep on your front. As long as you have the right pillow sleeping on your back or side is the best way to go.

Other Causes of Morning Neck Pain

Of course it could be that there is a medical reason behind your morning neck pain in which you should definitely consult a GP. It could be a case of general wear and tear from a life time of using your neck which is a form of arthritis.

It could even be a pinched nerve or if you’ve ever been in some sort of crash you might have given yourself whiplash. In these cases a better pillow might help relieve pain but it certainly won’t get rid of it so I can’t stress enough that you should consult a doctor if you’re concerned. The NHS website has more information for those who need it.

Sometimes, a training manual simply isn’t enough to keep your employees safe. As much as you might want to protect them, sometimes you can’t ensure that they have the knowledge necessary to deal with any situation as it comes up. If you’re truly concerned about keeping your employees safe and healthy, then you’ll probably want to consider investing in a few different training courses for them, which tackle some of the most common situations that employees find themselves in. If you don’t know where to start, or simply don’t know which courses to consider, then read on. This guide will take a look at several of the most effective courses to teach employees and help keep them safe.

Hazmat Training

Although not every company deals with hazardous materials, Hazmat training is still worth considering. Of course, it is particularly useful for businesses that regularly do deal with hazardous materials, but that’s really a separate discussion. If you need your employees to get a hazmat certification, then organizations like AHLS can ensure that your employees get all of the information they need in order to be successful.

CPR Training

CPR Training is an important course for every employee to take, as well as people in general. You never know when someone might need medical attention before specialists arrive, so it’s worth ensuring that everyone knows what to do with someone who is otherwise unconscious and having difficulty breathing. If you can help your employees to learn about this topic and be prepared for it, you can reduce the chances of something horrible happening when you aren’t around to supervise it.

Online Safety Training

Thanks to the Internet, there are now online workplace safety training courses that employees can take. In addition to providing valuable information, these courses have the additional benefit of not taking up valuable company time. By letting people take these courses online, you can ensure that employees take them when they’re free, rather than when they’re already busy with an important task. In fact, there are plenty of worthwhile tools to look into online, which can help with educating your employees on anything that you think could potentially become an issue in the future.

While none of these courses can ensure that your employees will react appropriately in a life-threatening situation, they can at least provide enough information to keep everyone informed on the potential dangers that are out there. As long as it’s in the back of their mind though, you should be able to rest much more easily.