Creator/Copyright: Ivan Mikhaylov Credit: Getty Images/iStockphoto
No matter how small your action is. No matter how seemingly insignificant of an impact you think you have, what you do matters. This can be a difficult concept to not only remember but sometimes to even recognize. We tend to set our sights on the larger goal, the end product, the overall process. In doing so, we set ourselves up to miss the small victories in the progress we make. We can fail to recognize that what we are doing can and will make a difference. We can lose our motivation and passion.
Not too long ago I had the idea to bring different perspectives on recovery that may not be well known into this blog. However, I was stuck. I didn’t know where to start. Aside from current view points of addiction and mental illness that are well known to the treatment field, I didn’t know what I could present. Then I realized the answer had been in front of my face for the past couple years. In a philosophy, religion actually for some, that I have tried to incorporate more and more into my lifestyle. As a Dudeist Priest, or Cleric of the Church of the Latter-Day Dude (if you’re not into the whole brevity thing), I realized Dudeism could help provide this alternative perspective.
Yes. You read that right. Dudeism. Some of you may be saying “What in God’s holy name are you blathering about?” While others may be saying “A wiser fella once said, sometimes you eat the bear, and sometimes, well, the bear eats you.” According to dudeism.com, Dudeism is “the slowest growing religion in the world…an ancient philosophy that preaches non-preachiness, practices as little as possible.” Dudeism is a philosophy that recent has been organized into a religion (that’s just, like your opinion, man). It uses the movie The Big Lewbowski as a parable. Its roots lie in Taoism but it incorporates a number of other philosophies. I could spend a whole blog entry explaining Dudeism but instead why don’t you explore and learn for yourself here.
For those familiar with the movie, you would know there is a fair share of drinking, drug use, and other problematic behaviors. Despite this, others have been able to embrace Dudeist concepts and incorporate them into their lives without use of substances.
We are here to see some viewpoints of Dudeism and recovery. Though I could write on this myself, I thought it would be better coming from others. For this, I asked some members of Dudeism to share their experience and perspectives. Below are two of those contributions with more to possibly come soon. Click “continue reading” to see their entries.
A long awaited new episode of Know Your Term is finally out. Here we briefly cover the Stages of Change (Transtheoretical Model) of Pre-Contemplation, Contemplation, Preparation, Action, and Maintenance. View below for more!
This entry once again comes from our guest contributor Kimberly Hayes of PublicHealthAlertInfo.
The Healthy Road to Recovery
Recovery from mental illness or substance abuse isn’t something that happens overnight. In fact, it’s not something that you ever get to complete since it’s an ongoing process, a way of life. But that’s a good thing. It means you’re living your life with purpose.
Know Your Why is focused on mental health and substance recovery, as well as, all types of wellness. Many of our readers have expressed struggle with needing change or positivity in life. This guest blog from Kimberly Hayes of PublicHealthAlertInfo describes how for some they can address that need for change by becoming an entrepreneur.
If you’re healing from trauma, you might be struggling to stick with healthy routines for your mental and physical health. Choosing a few beneficial habits or lifestyle changes and gradually adapting them to your schedule can be a smart strategy. You can find lots of informative recovery resources from Know Your Why Recovery to help you along your journey. Furthermore, these suggestions can guide you as you recover from trauma and prioritize your healing.
Consider a Career Change
Your career might be impeding your healing process. Think about your current job, and ask yourself some essential questions. Do you truly feel fulfilled at work? Do you get the opportunity to work on challenging yet satisfying projects? Does your job tend to leave you feeling stressed and overwhelmed? Depending on your answers, it might be time to consider a career change.
Switching careers to something you’re more passionate about can benefit your mental health. If you have some knowledge of medical coding, you can apply for a number of medical coding online courses to learn essential skills, like assigning proper codes, identifying medical procedures, and processing service claims. Once you’ve completed the coursework, you’ll take an assessment to prove your skills.
Keep Your Household Healthy
Working through trauma is difficult for anyone, but it can be particularly hard for people with dependents who rely on them each and every day. It’s tougher to focus on your own healing when you’re also responsible for other people.
To make caring for your household easier during this rough time, you can turn to in-depth product reviews when shopping for your family to ensure that you’re spending your money wisely. Make sure to look for reviews from unbiased sources for the most honest recommendations.
Work With an Online Therapist
Perhaps you’ve seen a therapist before, but it was hard to keep up with your sessions when you had so much going on in your life. Working with a therapist who offers online sessions can be easier to fit into your schedule. To get the most out of virtual therapy, Psych Central recommends looking for a platform that suits your budget and specific needs, finding a private, quiet space in your home for sessions, and asking plenty of questions during sessions.
Exercise for Your Mind and Body
It can be hard to get into fitness when you’re healing from trauma. You might have lost interest in your favorite sports or active hobbies, or you might feel like you’re not strong enough for exercise. But exercise can be an essential part of your healing process, as it supports both your mental and physical health. Very Well Mind states that in addition to improving your cardiovascular health and mobility, exercise can also help people with PTSD alleviate their symptoms, cope with depression, and even sleep better at night.
Practice Mindfulness
Practicing mindfulness can be tricky for people who are healing from trauma – while living in the present moment can help you avoid rumination, you might worry that facing your emotions head-on in meditation could be re-traumatizing. You may want to work on mindfulness techniques in therapy, where you can process your emotions with the support of a professional. Journaling, meditation, and yoga can all be fantastic mindfulness practices to incorporate into your daily routines.
Healing from trauma does not happen overnight. It’s important to be patient with yourself throughout this process. Whether you’re interested in seeking professional development for a career change, outfitting your home with healthy products, or picking up an exercise routine, these tips can help you make all of these lifestyle changes and more.
Are you ready to commit to trauma recovery? Find the motivation you need through Know Your Why Recovery! Visit our website today for valuable recovery resources.
A while back we did a short blog series on Anger Management (parts 1, 2, 3, 4). Due to their ongoing popularity we decided to make a number of short videos explaining the same concepts. See below for each video win the series. Thanks for visiting!
Know Your Why Recovery is proud to say Dylan Foster is back with another guest blog. Though this entry is not the typical type of content for Know Your Why, we felt it still fit well here as it has to do with change. In fact, this entry has to do with a speicifc type of change almost everyone needs to cope with at some point in their life…relocation. Read below for the article.
Know Your Why Recovery welcomes people from all walks of life, promoting positivity and awareness to those in recovery from mental health and substance use disorders. Reach out today for more info and see how we can help! admin@knowyourwhyrecovery.com
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Stop Doing These Things Right Now to Improve Your Life
Do you have bad habits that are making your life worse? You might be surprised to learn that some of the things you’re doing every day are actually harming your personal life. If you want to improve your life, it’s time to stop these unhealthy habits!
Know Your Why Recovery shares some things you should stop doing right away to improve your personal life.
