Defining Wellness When you’re drenched in sweat after physical activity, you often feel better. Knowing this, Native American cultures and other indigenous groups around the world have utilized the ancient practice of the sweat lodge for its physical and spiritual health benefits. Yet many holistic addiction treatment centers—like Defining Wellness Centers—are using sweat lodges as a modern … Read more
When you’re taking a bath or shower and cold water comes out of the faucet, what do you usually do? Quickly hop out until the water warms up, right? While most of us probably take warm baths or showers as part of our routines, cold water submersion actually has its merits, too. In fact, when … Read more
Your support is a major asset along your loved one’s addiction recovery journey. Having family in their corner can be just what they need to stay the course, especially when they face challenges (and challenges will happen). But sometimes when your loved one is trying to get sober, the best thing you can do for … Read more
The journey of addiction recovery is multi-faceted. As such, it’s often those who help you along the way that can make a big impact on your long-term healing. But it’s not just treatment professionals, friends, or accountability partners—or even humans, for that matter. Sometimes it’s horses, too. Equine therapy—and other experiential therapies—can be a powerful … Read more
Sometimes you just need to stop what you’re doing for a moment and breathe. Navigating addiction recovery is a lifelong journey, and there are usually different seasons when you encounter challenges along the way. When you’re faced with substance cravings, stress, or anxiety, healthy coping mechanisms can be a vital lifeline to staying sober. And … Read more
We all know that exercise is good for you, both physically and mentally. The US Office of Disease Prevention and Health Promotion even shares that just 30 to 60 minutes of exercise each weekday can benefit your mood. That’s why exercise has become a vital part of holistic addiction treatment—especially recovery yoga. In fact, yoga … Read more
A traumatic event can happen to anyone. And when this event eventually subsides, the trauma from it can linger for years (even decades). As a result, the effects of trauma on the brain can lead to a mental health disorder called post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). However, this trauma can also lead those with PTSD to … Read more
Did you know that addiction is very much driven by your brain? Because of this, mindfulness meditation for recovery can be a powerful tool in your alcohol, drug, or opioid abuse treatment. Beyond that, mindfulness meditation is also a healthy practice for your overall well-being—long after your addiction treatment ends. But what makes mindfulness so … Read more
Ah, the great outdoors. From hiking and backpacking to birding, gardening, or canoeing, being in nature is good for the soul, no matter if you’re struggling with addiction or not. Yet when you’re trying to overcome drug or alcohol abuse, the beauty of nature can actually help you heal mentally and physically. In fact, nature … Read more
Everyone gets anxious from time to time. An important work meeting, family strife, a long list of to-do’s—there are many situations and circumstances we commonly encounter in life that can lead to anxious thoughts and feelings. But for some, anxiety can be a daily companion, regardless of circumstances. When this happens, substance abuse can often … Read more