Mental Health |

Designing a healthy life has numerous components—a whole-foods eating plan, regular exercise, plenty of sleep and yes, for many of us, sobriety. But it doesn’t have to be all rules and no fun! One of the best ways to add joy to your life daily is to listen to music.    Science Reinforces How Music Helps...

According to the most recent statistics from the American Foundation for Suicide Prevention (AFSP), there are approximately 130 suicides daily in the U.S. White males have the highest risk rate in our country, comprising about 70 percent of all suicides as of 2020. Additionally, more than 800,000 people throughout the world take their lives each...

Social media can be one way to maintain a connection with people who share your interests and circumstances. At Willingway, we’re happy to provide a presence on Facebook and Instagram to help foster a community among individuals celebrating sobriety and create a gateway to others seeking treatment they can trust. But when is social media...

Everyone experiences burnout. Certain life circumstances—such as workplace pressure, caring for a busy family or an ailing senior parent, or consistent financial trouble—can wear you down. If it’s important to maintain sobertity in addition to everything else, it’s only natural to feel stretched thin. So how do you cope with burnout in recovery? Understanding the...

Do you know that shame and guilt aren’t the same feelings? More importantly, shame can actually hamper your recovery process, while guilt can create a new path of healing, especially once you’re able to release it. How might this happen? Understanding the Differences Between Guilt & Shame In 2012, professor and researcher Brené Brown, now...

Faith is frequently at the crossroads of addiction and recovery. But is it an all-or-nothing proposition? Will the power of faith, however you choose to define it, reinforce your goals and help make sobriety easier? It depends on your perspective. What Defines Faith? For many people in recovery, participating in 12-Step programs such as Alcoholics...

Ahhhh, sleep! Few things make you feel as wonderful as a full amount of rest that provides energy to spare. Unfortunately, a lot of factors interfere with how well we sleep—and most of the time, we try to ignore them. A better focus on sleep hygiene is worth prioritizing. Sleep: The Giant Reset Button We...

We know that over the course of human history, children have suffered through tremendous events. But it’s only been in the last few decades that scientists have tried to understand how adverse childhood experiences affect adult behaviors and what can be done to improve health. What Are Adverse Childhood Experiences? From 1995 to 1997, an...

It’s no surprise that some people with trauma often turn to drugs or alcohol to cope. To treat addiction effectively, it’s critical to acknowledge traumatic incidents in a way that’s affirming, supportive, and healing—instead of letting them fester and cause more harm. The Dangers of Hidden Trauma The Trauma-Informed Care Implementation Resource Center provides this...

It’s hard to believe that aspects of the coronavirus pandemic are still affecting us. But new variants and, at press time, a continual rise in cases means that many people still feel the stress and strain of this global health crisis. Another unfortunate side effect of the pandemic is a rise in drinking. High Drinking...