Change

Valentine’s Day is just around the corner, where couples will plan sweet dates and post their loving messages on social media.  But what about those in recovery… When is dating a good idea? In a culture where inclusivity is everything, telling those in early recovery to abstain from dating for one year can

Individuals struggling with Substance Use Disorder experience intense feelings of guilt and shame.  In recovery these feelings are worked through in treatment, therapy, and 12 step programs.  But what happens when someone in recovery relapses, when the shame comes roaring back to the surface? The danger in shame is that it keeps people

In January of a New Year exercise rises to the top of many priority lists, however at Herren Wellness exercise is always a top priority year-round. We understand how important exercise is in the recovery process: from improving mood, to fighting cravings, better sleep, and increased self-confidence.  What we also see is

It’s the start of 2022, and that means the return of the Dry January challenge.  It is estimated that one in seven Americans are participating. What started as a public health campaign in the UK eight years ago has grown into a popular way in which people kickoff and reset their New Year.

This time of the year is all about giving to others- however it is also a good time to think about what you can give to yourself to enhance well-being.  Forgiveness is often described as a “gift” and there is a reason for it: Resentment can cause your blood pressure to spike

Embracing Gratitude, Inner Light, and the Joy of Recovery This Holiday Season  At Herren Wellness the holidays are a special time of year where the community comes together to celebrate and reflect.   While being away from family during this time can be challenging, we encourage our guests to focus on

How to Enhance Wellness This Thanksgiving Thanksgiving is right around the corner, a day to celebrate with family and friends, be thankful for all we have, and for some it is the unofficial start to the holiday season.  At Herren Wellness we understand that while the holiday can be a time

Image courtesy of Los Angeles Times Recovery for Young Adults at Herren Wellness  At Herren Wellness we have seen first hand the impact that Covid-19 and social isolation has had on young adults.  During 2020-2021 we have experienced an increase in guests who fall into the 18-24 age range struggling with

5 Tools to Manage Anxiety in Recovery  At Herren Wellness we recognize that individuals who struggle with substances oftentimes experience anxiety when entering recovery, and particularly in the early months of sobriety.  A study published in the Journal of Psychiatric Services estimates that 48% of people with substance use disorders also

Yoga has been said to be the journey through the self, to the self.  At Herren Wellness our resident yoga teacher Rachel Tondreault leads our guests in yoga practice each morning in the light filled studio at Jacob Hill. Being in recovery herself, Rachel is able to connect with guests in

Image courtesy of @neddie.co 8 Benefits of Being Present in a Social Media World Social Media has become a significant part of our lives with the average person spending at least an hour and forty minutes a day on their favorite platform and apps, but how much

You Don't Know This Now At Herren Wellness we guide our guests through a journey of self discovery.  Part of this journey is attending groups run by our certified life coaches, where the community comes together to work through different exercises. This past week the community participated in the exercise “You

Image Courtesy of @TheLuckiestClub The Rise of Online Sober Communities 12-Step programs are centered around common purpose, in person meetings, and fellowship.  When COVID-19 hit all of this was shut down and moved to Zoom which members of the sober community quickly adapted to. Prior to the Pandemic the rise of alternative 12-Step sober communities were

Image courtesy of Target Mommy Wine Culture On a recent afternoon trip to Target I headed to the women’s section for some new workout t-shirts.  I walked up to a shelf with piles of shirts neatly folded in rows and pulled the top T’s up to see the slogans: “Good Vibes Only” “Namaste”

Courtesy of AccessOnline Chrissy Teigen's Sobriety In the event that you haven’t been on social media since January 1st allow me to catch you up on unexpected headline news: Chrissy Tiegen is four weeks sober!  With the state of the nation and world it's an interesting story to have risen to the top.

24 hours at Herren Wellness Over the holidays I asked the Herren Wellness community on social media what content they wanted me to publish. A few people requested to know what a day at Herren Wellness looks like… and I found it apropos as we are all getting back to our routines from

How to Change 2020 is not a hard year to say goodbye to.  This post was initially going to be about New Year’s resolutions and why they are important and a catalyst to change.  But that didn’t feel right, so I went to the source of where the inspiration for this blog comes

Holidays at Herren Wellness It’s the week of Christmas here at Herren Wellness.  The world is upside down and heavy… but walking into Jacob Hill the Christmas spirit is very alive.  Joey is outside burning a fire in the pit surrounded by the adirondack chairs covered in snow.  When I walk through the

Wellness is a term we hear a lot these days, and most people correctly interpret it as an overall sense of wellbeing and health. For people in recovery, however, there is a deeper meaning to the term

The concept of self-care can feel foreign to many people in early recovery, because in active substance use even basic self-care is often not a priority, and it’s common for our mental and physical health to fall

Early recovery brings many changes, both exciting and challenging. Even positive changes can feel overwhelming, as many of the aspects of life change physically, emotionally, and socially. Establishing new patterns and routines and building structure into your life help

It’s easy to understand the importance of community and support in recovery when we are navigating our way through difficult times, but it’s just as important to have support through new beginnings, transitions, and exciting milestones. When we

“New beginnings are often disguised as painful endings.” ~ Lao Tzu It’s a New Year – a new decade in fact – and people are talking about new beginnings, examining habits that no longer serve them, and