Why You Should Embrace Being Uncomfortable

We likely don’t have to tell you that the recovery process is far from an easy journey. It’s a challenge and you ‘ll likely feel uncomfortable along the way – from detox, or talking about your history of addiction to a counselor, or trying a new holistic treatment, or making amends or socializing without the crutch of drugs or alcohol. 

Whatever the cause, learning to be comfortable with the uncomfortable parts of recovery is a crucial step toward successfully living clean and healthy. Think about it. If everything came easy, if you were never challenged, if you only remained in your comfort zone, you likely wouldn’t even be in rehab today. You can’t grow and improve without being a little uncomfortable.

In fact, millions of successful people – inside and out of the recovery community – swear by this strategy to successfully achieve their goals. The first step: just show up. 

That’s right. Just by seeking help for your addiction, you’re already beginning to learn. It’s never comfortable or easy to start something new and you may even reach a point when you want to quit. Don’t. This is the time to push yourself past your comfort zone and remind yourself that you’re committed to your recovery and there’s no turning back.

But how do you do this? Some experts say to “fake it to you make it.” In other words, you might be thinking to yourself “I can’t do this.” “I don’t know what I’m doing.” “I’ve never done this before.”

Here’s where you can teach yourself to fake confidence. Try a little positive self-talk: “I can do this.” “I'm a quick study.” “I’ll get the hang of this in no time.”

This is also when your support network really counts. Share your uncomfortable stories with your recovery peers, friends and family. Talking about these experiences with others will help put things in perspective and you’ll likely learn some new strategies for being more comfortable in these situations, too.

And, above all, remind yourself that recovery takes time and confidence comes from practice. Each time you push yourself beyond your comfort zone, you’re one step closer to overcoming the challenges of lasting sobriety. 

Holistic Addiction Treatment by the Sea

Located at our beautiful beach community retreat in Southern California, Complete Harmony serves individuals seeking an alternative to conventional drug and alcohol recovery. To begin your journey toward mindful empowerment, call today: 866-930-4673.

Bad Day, No Problem!

It’s better to have a bad day while you’re sober than a good one while you’re using! Still, knowing this doesn’t necessarily make it easier to handle those no good horrible days that are bound to happen while in recovery. What will help, however, is a few simple strategies to make you feel empowered to muddle through. 

Start with these seven ideas: 

• Create a positive spin. Take a few minutes to focus on something positive that happened today – and then remind yourself that things could always be worse. 
• Put it to paper What specifically made your day so bad – an argument with a loved one or a stressful day at work? Write it down, recognize it and then try to just let it go! 
• Get moving. Work out those frustrations with a brisk walk or long hike – but if you find yourself ruminating on negative events, be sure to refocus those thoughts. 
• Inhale slowly. A simple breath is a great way to stay calm. Inhale slowly and exhale as you let your troubles blow away.  
• Get cleaning. Many people find inner peace by having outer order. Try it: Take a few minutes and tackle one junk drawer. 
• Escape the healthy way. Get lost in a good book or funny movie and lose your day! A healthy distraction may be just what you need to de-stress and unwind.
• Reach out for support. Retreating into isolation is never the answer; though it may be tempting to do so. Instead, call a friend or loved one who can help talk you down from your day or at least provide a positive distraction. 

Caring for Your Mental Health
Having co-occurring psychiatric disorders can make it even more difficult to weather those bad days. At Complete Harmony, we address the unique needs of our clients and give them the tools needed to sustain a healthy mind, body, and spirit during recovery and beyond. Learn more: 866-930-4673.

3 Ways to Carve Out Quiet Time

As the holiday season comes to a close and the New Year begins, it’s the perfect time to concentrate on some quiet, reflective time. Taking a mere five minutes a day – away from phones, electronics, social obligations, etc. – can go a long way in helping your recovery. 

This is because quiet time can help give your brain the breathing room it needs to relax and process what you’ve learned, heard or done in recovery. It will also help give you the time to brainstorm and reflect on your immediate and long-term sobriety goals. 

Here are a few simple steps you can try today to create some stillness among the chaos of daily life. 

• Make your walk more mindful. While a heart-pumping walk is great for your body and mind, so is slowing down a bit and taking time to focus on nature.  As you become more conscious of the flowers, trees, sounds of birds, you’ll automatically quiet your mind in order to reach a more reflective state.
• Make journaling a daily habit. Pick up a pen or turn on your tablet and begin letting go of those feelings and thought cluttering your brain. And be careful not to censor yourself. The goal is to let it all out so you can clear, quiet and focus your mind. 
• Make time to meditate. Whether you choose to mediate when you first wake or before bedtime, this calming practice can help to reduce stress and quiet your mind from constant chatter. The result: a calmer state-of-mind and more space for reflection. 

Holistic Healing at Complete Harmony

At Complete Harmony, our holistic relapse prevention plans provide the tools that you or someone you love needs for lifelong sobriety. After recovery, our staff encourages you to continue holistic therapies and find groups and community resources that support your commitment to sobriety. To learn more, call 866-930-4673.

How Are Your Active Listening Skills?

Repairing relationships damaged while in active addiction is likely among your recovery to-dos. While winning back trust with loved ones will certainly take some time, you can start rebuilding your rapport by becoming an active, empathetic listener.

This means that you not only make sure you're actively paying attention but that you let your loved one know you are. For example, an active listener:

•       Asks questions when unclear about what the other person is saying
•       Tries to infer what the other person is feeling
•       Engages in the conversation without peering at his or her cell or watch
•        Keeps track of the points that others make
•        Assures the other person that he or she is receptive to his or her ideas

Becoming a better listener may take some practice – but you can get started by taking these steps.

• Stay calm and focused. This means no checking your cellphone, updating your Facebook status, picking at your nail polish, doodling, or fidgeting – but really making an effort to maintain eye contact and hone in on the other person’s words and feelings. Body language counts, too, so make sure that you’re not crossing your arms and legs or leaning away.
• Summarize points of agreement and disagreement if appropriate. While you don’t want to parrot what the other person is saying, you do want to show that you’re listening by repeating what you heard in your own words. This will also prevent any misunderstandings or misinterpretations.
• Acknowledge your loved one’s feelings, issues, or problems. For example, you could say: “I know how tough this is and appreciate your openness and willingness to talk it out.” This type of dialogue will demonstrate your empathy. 
• Focus on listening as much as speaking. In other words, don’t simply wait for your turn to talk. When you feel the urge to interject, make an effort to slow yourself down and really listen to what the other person is saying.  
• Accept another person’s opinion. When you're empathically listening, you don’t just hear words but you demonstrate that you know how the other person feels. And this holds true even if your loved one’s point of view differs from yours.

Continual Growth at Complete Harmony
Our team of credentialed clinicians helps you explore your own recovery journey while learning to heal relationships and build a sober social network. For more information about our cutting edge treatments, call today: 866-930-4673.

When Good Things Come from Getting Sober

For Todd Crandel, who abused alcohol, heroin and cocaine for 13 years, becoming sober has meant becoming one of the most elite endurance athletes in the world. He was the only one who was able to finish the 2008 Ultraman triathlon, a race involving six miles of swimming, 52 miles of running and 261 miles of biking – over a period of three days!

“I didn’t think I deserved to live a life without drug,” he told Australia’s Channel 9 News. “I didn’t want to live a life without drugs. I didn’t know how to live a life without drugs.” 

It's also meant helping others along their sobriety journey. In 2001, Crandel founded Racing for Recovery, a non-profit organization dedicated to providing counseling and support and athletic events for those in recovery. He also became a licensed addiction counselor. “ “What I say to people to get them going is, you deserve a better life and you can achieve it,” he told The Fix.

Certainly going from active addiction to this level of athleticism and success isn’t the norm, but the message of hope and the possibility of a better, sober life is one that anyone in recovery can relate to. 

It doesn’t matter why you choose to get sober as long as you do choose the sober path. And, hey, you may be delighted and surprised by the many positive outcomes that come with lasting recovery – from reestablishing your relationship with your children to completing that long-overdue degree or simply being able to have a sense of self-worth again.

Finding Your Happiness in Sobriety 

Are you ready to experience the lasting happiness and healthy sense of well-being that comes with sobriety? The holistic therapies at Complete Harmony can show you the way to a more meaningful and satisfying life. Begin the journey today by calling 866-930-4673.