Secondary

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.

As this year draws to a close, people will be gathering with friends and family (safely) to celebrate the holidays and New Years.  The good news for those of us in recovery… Thanks to the booming non-alcoholic drink industry, there are many options for filling our champagne glasses and toasting. In the past

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

At Herren Wellness we understand that the holidays can be a challenging time for those in recovery.  Friends and family members may not know how to support them, and find the perfect gift to give. We understand that if you’ve supported a friend or family member through their journey to recovery, you are

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

The holiday season is kicking off with Halloween just around the corner.  What once was a tradition geared towards children has become one of the biggest drinking holidays in the United States. At Herren Wellness we recognize that this holiday can be overwhelming for those in recovery, particularly those new to

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

What Recovery Means To Me: A Herren Wellness Alumni Perspective In honor of National Recovery month we at Herren Wellness asked a member of our alumni community what recovery means to them. Recovery means so much to the Herren Wellness community, and we love hearing the unique ways it impacts individuals.

Image courtesy of Faces & Voices of Recovery Language Matters: Breaking Down Stigma and Lowering Barriers to Recovery Support As we continue celebrating National Recovery Month 2021 at Herren Wellness, it's important to take a look at how the use of language matters when dismantling stigma and lowering the barriers to

Meditation has been used for thousands of years as both a spiritual practice and according to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health, meditation is a mind-body activity intended to promote calm and relaxation and help people cope with illnesses and improve well-being. At Herren Wellness we utilize meditation to

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

5 Ways Gratitude Can Help Recovery It is said in the recovery community that “a grateful heart will not use substances.”  However, what exactly is gratitude and how does it actually help us in our recovery and lives? Gratitude is often likened to thankfulness, however these two ideas are quite

Celebrating the Fourth of July Sober The Fourth of July is around the corner and Barbecues, block parties, pool parties, and community events are all on deck to celebrate this patriotic holiday.  These events also tend to include alcohol and other substances that can put recovery in a compromising

Image courtesy of @morejoy At Herren Wellness we believe sobriety is inclusive to all, and it is especially important to support the LGBTQ+ population, which according to studies suffers from substance use disorder at a rate of 30%, while the general population is 9%.  “Formative experiences of shame and stigma contribute

When people embark on recovery at Herren Wellness it is a unique journey with individual revelations. One revelation often experienced by our guests is how creativity blossoms in early recovery.

Image courtesy of @themocktailproject The Mocktail Revolution Mocktails are having a moment.  According to surveys 40% of restaurants now feature mocktail options on their menus.  So what's the deal with this trend? Driven by an increased interest in wellness and the expanding selection of no-ABV beverages, 58%

Image courtesy @alisonfromashes The Joy of Sober Travel When embarking on the journey of recovery many think that their lives will become dull and gray. The thought of traveling may be a distant one, however with travel starting to open up after the pandemic, the arrival of summer and planned family

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

Image: Meetup.com The Sober Events Movement Oftentimes when people get sober they think to themselves… Will I ever have fun again?  It is suggested in early recovery to avoid people, places, and things that may be triggering because sobriety is still fresh and fragile.  Connection is essential in recovery, so what are the

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 @rubywarrington The Rise of the Sober Curious Movement Is “sober curious” more than just a buzzword?  A quick Google search would suggest so as it is now defined: Being sober-curious means being more intentional about how, when and why you drink. It's a movement

The Herren Wellness Difference Wellness is a key component in recovery. As we kick-off Wellness Week with Herren 2021, we wanted to take a deeper look into the daily focus on wellness at Herren Wellness and the individual plans created for each guest to draw on their strengths and explore all aspects of

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

We believe in the power of connection and community, and while a guest’s stay here ends, their journey as a Herren Wellness Alumni continues as they embrace recovery and rebuild their lives. Our Alumni and their loved ones are always part of our extended family, and we encourage people to stay in touch, stop

At Herren Wellness, we believe family involvement is an essential part of our guests’ healing, both during their stay at Herren Wellness and beyond. We believe in treating the families alongside the person suffering from emotional health and/or substance use disorder. Our team meets the family where they are and walk with them to

Our guests and alumni know all about ‘the board’. It’s where Nick Correia, Herren Wellness’ Personal Coach and Trainer, writes down guests’ fitness goals for each day. Every guest arrives at Herren Wellness with a different level of comfort and ability when it comes to fitness. Substance use often eclipses a person’s ability to prioritize exercise

Dogs are an important part of our community here at Herren Wellness. They provide companionship, healthy activity, and fun for our guests and team members alike. Pictured are a few of our current and former guests’ dogs as well as our staff’s dogs including Winston, Bama, Brody, Leo, Sweet, Lou, Awlly, Hattie, Maddie, Maggie,

The 4th of July is right around the corner, and it’s a great time to enjoy barbeques, picnics, celebrate our freedom, and visit with friends and family. With COVID-19 it is also important to remember ways to engage in summer fun while staying safe and healthy. Don’t forget to bring a mask, hand

As we approach Father’s Day, we wanted to shine a light on the importance that family support plays in helping a loved one seek treatment for substance use disorder and embracing life in recovery. Family involvement is an important part of our approach at Herren Wellness. We encourage family members to be active,

We hear about the importance of having a spiritual practice in recovery, but what does that mean? People who are new to recovery often have questions about what spirituality is, why it’s important, and ways to weave a spiritual practice into daily life. What is Spirituality? Spirituality involves examining how we relate to the world

The popular CBS This Morning segment, Note to Self features letters from past Presidents, media and sport figures, celebrities, authors, thought leaders and everyday people including a Newtown father and military widow. It is a moving reflection on life’s journey narrated by the author themselves offering advice and encouragement to the young people

People in early recovery sometimes feel apprehensive about their first sober St. Patrick’s Day, and wonder about how to prioritize recovery on a day that is notorious for drinking. If this is your first sober

“One of the most powerful experiences at Herren Wellness is when people come back and share their one-year anniversary. To see people who walk into the front door lost, somewhat broken, hopeless and walk back in a year later with 20 people to celebrate is the most special thing you can witness in