Are You Living With Intention?

Chances are you woke up this morning with a mental to-do list – pick up the dry cleaning, go grocery shopping, schedule a work meeting, pay the utility bill – but have you thought about what’s important to you or how you want to feel, think and live? 

One of the many benefits of pursuing a life free of addiction is that you have more time, energy and emotional resources to start living your life with intention. 

What Does Living With Intention Mean?

Living with intention means different things to different people. In general, however, it can mean being an active participant in your life and seizing each day to the fullest. 

By living with intention, you’ll:

• Break free of the thoughts from our past.
• Be open to change.
• Be mindful and kind and present. 
• Learn what’s important to you. 
• Be connected to your intuition. 
• Live by your own values and needs.
• Be authentic.

Here are a few ways to start using those life skills learned in rehab to live a new sober life with intention: 

• Uncover your values. Take time to really think about what’s important to you and what values you want to instill in your daily life. Living your life with self-acceptance, health and gratitude, for instance, will make it a lot easier to make smart, sober daily decisions.
• Consider how you’d like to improve your health. Would you like to eat more vegetables or build more muscle? Or, maybe you need to work on how you handle stress? Especially for those in recovery, taking care of your physical and emotional self is an essential part of living life with intention.
• Visualize your life in 5, 10 and 20 years. Take a few minutes to think about how you want to live or what type of person you’d like to become. Write it down so you can add to it or adjust it as your goals develop and change. 
• Take a small step forward. What can you do today to prepare yourself for the person you want to be a year from now? What’s one action that will move you closer to your career of family goals? Consider working with an addiction recovery specialist to map out these steps. 

A Healthier Lifestyle With Deeper Purpose

At Haus Recovery, we help our clients stay focused and confident as they master their full recovery potential. To learn more about our services and activities, call us today: 888-551-4715.

Why Spending More Time Outdoors Can Help Your Long-Term Sobriety

Did you know that nature offers one of the most reliable boosts to your mental and physical well-being? Here are just a few ways spending more time outdoors can help your overall health and sustained sobriety: 

• You’ll protect your mental health. Spending time in the great outdoors – especially when it involves exercise – has been shown to ease anxiety, depression, and other mental health issues.
• You’ll sleep better. There’s nothing like a healthy dose of fresh air to help you fall and stay asleep throughout the night.
• You’ll stress less. Spending time in nature has been shown to reduce levels of the stress hormone cortisol and reduce blood pressure and heart rate. This is partly because of scent. The smell of many flowers have been study-proven to decrease stress and increase relaxation.
• You’ll think more positively. In one study, Stanford scientists found that walking in nature helps reduce obsessive, negative thoughts.
• You’ll exercise more. The color green (found on trees, grass, plants) has been found to make exercise easier, according to research conducted at the University of Essex. 
• You’ll meet new people. And this is especially important as your rebuilding a new network of sober friends. 

Outdoor Fun for a Better Recovery

Make yourself a recovery promise to spend just 15 minutes or more each day in a natural environment. Here are some ideas:

• Bike to work.
• Go for a weekend hike.
• Start your morning with an outdoor walk, run, or jog.
• Tend a garden.
• Take your computer and work outside.
• Meditate outdoors.
• Picnic in the park.
• Read a book under a tree or on the beach.
• Go fishing.
• Take a stroll on the beach.
• Try your hand at tennis.

Get Nurtured in Nature

Our Southern California location is blessed with mild temperatures and abundant sunshine, making it the perfect place for outdoor recreation as part of your recovery activities. To learn more about our sober living services, activities, and amenities, call today: 888-551-4715.

Self-Care for Parents and Loved Ones

It’s fairly easy to neglect your own needs when someone you love is struggling with a substance use disorder. Yet making yourself a priority will help you better care for your loved one. Taking the time to fuel your mind and body will give you more energy and increased patience – and, overall, you’ll be happier and healthier. And you deserve it!

Start by focusing on these self-care basics: 

Make nutrition a priority: Eating a healthful diet can help you have more energy, a better mood, increased concentration and better problem-solving skills. Some diet tips to keep in mind: Eat three meals a day, aim for at least 20 grams of protein, four cups of fresh fruit and vegetables daily, drink plenty of water and steer clear of processed foods.

Develop an exercise routine: Regular exercise will help you “work out” any emotions you’re feeling toward your loved one or the situation itself. Even something as simple as a daily, morning walk can give you a little “me time” and help you de-stress. 

Seek support: Whether you choose an in-person or online support group, reaching out to others who have been in your shoes can help minimize any loneliness or isolation you’re feeling. Plus, some of their stories and strategies may work for you, or inspire you to come up with coping strategies of your own. Another option: Consider making an appointment with a mental health professional for individual or group therapy.

Take stress seriously: Irritability, insomnia, trouble concentrating, forgetfulness – these are all signs of stress and red flags for you to slow down and better care for yourself. Unmanaged stress will not only make your day-to-day much more difficult but it can also lead to some serious health risks, including heart disease, cancer and premature aging. Make an effort to make stress management part of your everyday – whether you take a walk, meditate, listen to music or meet up with a calming friend.

To Parents & Loved Ones of HAUS Recovery Clients
Your love, support, and personal healing are a vital part of your loved one’s recovery. At Haus Recovery, our case managers keep the lines of communication open and help you to revitalize your family relationships. To learn more, call today: 888-551-4715.

Sober Fun in Santa Monica This Summer

“Summertime and the sober living is easy!” Well, you can certainly be sober and have tons of fun while living in the Santa Monica area. After all, you’re right in the heart of things — with beachside activities, mountain sports, an active arts community, entertainment, and thriving small businesses all around you. W

Here, we take a look at a few activities – beyond going to the beach – to add to your summer fun list: 

• Take a surfside stroll: With the beach on one side and mountains on another, Santa Monica is the perfect setting to distress and soak up the sun. Stick around and have an early dinner prepared straight from one of the local farmers’ market. 
• Head to Santa Monica Pier: A favorite of locals and tourists alike, this landmark destination is home to endless retail, food and entertainment options. You can also rent a bike and take a riding tour. 
• Listen to free music: Free music shows are everywhere during the summer months – from the Getty to the Santa Monica Pier. If you love jazz, you might want to check out Jazz at LACMA, which has featured some of L.A.’s finest jazz musicians over the last 20 years.
• Get a free outdoor workout: Circuit training parks are located across L.A. —from beaches to mountain tops – so you can easily get fit this summer without spending a dime. 
• Watch an outdoor movie: From now until September, you can unwind under the stars as you watch many of the al fresco movies offered during the summer months. Whether you’re looking for a classic film or new blockbuster, there’s a movie and location that’s right for everyone.
• Hit the park: There are tons of parks and beautiful waterfalls that can fit your lifestyle – whether you’re a hiking devotee, dog owner, art lover, or just looking to relax and enjoy nature. A few to check out: Palisades Park, Tongva Park, Grand Park, Echo Park Lake, Lake Balboa, and Rustic Canyon Park. 

More Sober Living Activities
At Haus Recovery, we whole-heartedly believe that sustained recovery should incorporate daily fun. To this end, we offer bikes, surfboards, and paddleboards for residents and organize group activities and outings every week. To learn more, call today: 888-551-4715.

5 Key Components of Lasting Sobriety

To maintain lasting recovery and to find meaning and joy in life requires more than just steering clear of your drug of choice. Healing from addiction is a long-term process – and something that you have to work hard at daily to be successful. These five key components of sober living, which we support and encourage at Haus Recovery, can help you stay focused, care for yourself and reach full recovery potential.

1. Self-honor: Repeat after us: “You are a good person intended to do beautiful things.” Believing in and caring for yourself is a big part of relapse prevention. To this end, it's important to eat nutritious meals, exercise regularly and get enough sleep so your mind and body are rested and refreshed each day. Taking good care of yourself in recovery also means making time for relaxation, having fun, connecting with family and friends, creating goals and discovering your passions.
2. Community: No one expects you to stay sober without support. Now more than ever it’s important to build the types of relationships and friendships that will offer hope, support and encouragement as you work toward lasting sobriety. 
3. Employment: Finding and keeping a job, and making a contribution to society, is a pillar of recovery. After all, accountability and being self-supporting are vital steps to the reintegration process. Plus, working can help you build self-confidence, self-esteem, self-efficiency and a sense of wholeness.
4. Gratitude: Learning to have gratitude, or to focus on what’s good in your life, is a crucial recovery and life skill. Gratitude can help increase your self-esteem, boost your outlook and serve as a constant reminder of why you are working so hard for a sober life. 
5. Mindfulness: We all need a reminder to slow down, focus on the present and quiet the mind chatter – and mindfulness can help you do just that. This is a great tool to use in your every day. Try it the next time you are taking a shower. Tune out the world around you and direct your attention to the experience at hand, without judgment or words. Think about what you smell, taste, feel, hear and see. 

Sober Living at Its Best

At Haus Recovery, we offer the support needed to maintain abstinence, embrace the fun in a life of recovery and acquire the skills needed to make these changes last. To learn more, call today: 888-551-4715.

5 Ways to Increase Your Self-Confidence

"Low self-confidence isn't a life sentence. Self-confidence can be learned, practiced, and mastered – just like any other skill. Once you master it, everything in your life will change for the better." – Barrie Davenport

Self-confidence is a crucial part of long-term sobriety. If you’re down on yourself, you’re less likely take care of yourself and take control of your sobriety. 

For most of us, however, self-confidence doesn’t always come easy (or naturally). Luckily, it can be developed. In fact, anyone can be more confident if they try. Start with these confidence boosters:

1. Make self-care matter. Sure, we all have those “pajama days” when it feels great to just stay in sweats all day, but wearing day-old sweatpants day in and day out can surely feed into low self-esteem. Take time to put yourself together and feel proud of the person looking back at you in the mirror. 
2. Celebrate small successes. Make an effort to track all of the little and big goals you meet along the way. This can help you combat any self-doubt and provide incentive for future successes. 
3. Do a good deed. Making an effort to help someone else – whether by volunteering for a local organization or simply assisting a neighbor or friend – is sure to boost your self-pride. Plus, you’ll likely take your mind off any negative feelings about yourself. 
4. Mind your posture. Sitting and standing tall is a simple way to elevate your confidence – and others will have a better perception of you, too. 
5. Affirm yourself. Saying positive and uplifting statements out loud is a good practice for increasing your self-esteem. For example, if you dislike your physical appearance, look in the mirror and practice saying something that you like or appreciate about your body. 

A Healthier Lifestyle With Deeper Purpose

At Haus Recovery, we help our clients stay focused and confident as they master their full recovery potential. To learn more about our services and activities, call us today: 888-551-4715.

Tips for a Safe and Sober Memorial Day Weekend

Memorial Day weekend is almost here and it’s usually filled with parades, barbecues – and lots of temptation for those in recovery from a substance use disorder. Take heart: You can be social and sober and have fun as you kick off the summer. Keep these tips in mind: 

• Get plenty of rest. Even though it’s a holiday weekend, do your best to stick to your regular sleep schedule. Being well rested will make it easier to think clearly and make smart decisions.
• Keep active. Don’t forgo your exercise routine – and, if you have extra time, do a little more this long weekend. A little physical activity can go a long way in help you feel strong and confident in your recovery. Plus, you’ll simply be in a better mood! 
• Prepare ahead for questions. Remember, you only have to share as much as you feel comfortable sharing about your recovery. So, if someone questions why you’re not drinking, it’s okay to say something like “I don’t drink anymore” or “I don’t feel like drinking” – no lengthy explanation required. 
• Create a gratitude list – and carry it with you. If you feel yourself getting anxious or tempted, refer to this list to remind yourself of all you’ve achieved in your recovery and how grateful you are to be sober and alive! 
• Use breathing techniques. You can take a minute or two to focus on your breathing and no one even has to know about it. This will help you stay calm as well as quell any cravings or anxiety you may be experiencing. 
• Bring a sober friend. Extra support is always a good idea in social situations that involve alcohol. Stay close to one another and make sure you have a meeting spot and exit strategy if one of you becomes too overwhelmed. 

Making Better Choices Year-Round

Learning to make better choices is a key element of the sober living program at Haus Recovery. During your stay, you will learn to maintain your abstinence, embrace the fun in a life of recovery, and acquire the skills needed to make these changes last. To learn more, call today: 888-551-4715.