As summer rapidly draws to a close and autumn rises up to meet us, with all its new beginnings and the headlong plunge into preparing for the holidays (we all know it comes earlier every year), there is no more crucial time to stop and take time to relax and recharge. Try to make self-care a priority. If the summer has blown by you in a whirlwind of trips and activities and you’re feeling more burned out than filled up, schedule a massage, a weekend away or even a last-minute holiday for you and yours. Though we often go through our days attempting to operate at our best with nothing in the tank, eventually it takes its toll and we must realize we are only human. Rest is good. Soul-nourishing activities are essential. Even a one day relaxing, reading and taking a walk can do you a world of good.
Appropriately, our August edition is full of articles on health and wellbeing. Dr. Tian Dayton deconstructs the effects of trauma and addiction in the family on a child’s developing identity. Indeed, the groundwork for whole-person wellbeing is made or broken during this crucial phase. Fortunately, the tools to make the repairs are also available.
Penelope Richards shares her experience of healing and recovery through the power of dance and yoga. Her story is inspiring and her enthusiasm infectious.
Stuart Birnbaum offers us his perspective on “The New-Age Drug Dealer”, a thought-provoking look at the role pharmaceutical companies play in the growing scourge of prescription medication addiction.
Flexibility of mind is just as, if not more, important than flexibility of body, according to Sheri Laine. Her concept of EnerQi promotes this brand of adaptability as an integral component to overall wellbeing. Learning to go with the flow and laugh even during difficult times can ward off bouts of depression and anxiety, as well as make life a little more enjoyable in the process.
New RecoveryView.com author Jennifer Storm shares her personal recovery story where duct tape played a very strong supporting role (pun intended). No doubt many others will relate to her life of personal chaos and “quick fixes” that becomes a fast track to self-destruction. However, like all stories of recovery, hope and fresh starts are always just around the corner as a promise to true peace and happiness.
Jack Hinman disseminates the facts about alcohol and drugs’ impact on the developing brains of adolescents. As a new school year begins, the fact of adolescent substance abuse is very real; learning how to address it is essential.
Our member profile centers on Rod Mullen, President and CEO of Amity Foundation, a role he fills with personal passion and dedication to the many lives he impacts. From implementing similar programs in far-flung locales, such as Japan, to overseeing the building of a new campus for women in recovery and their children, Mullen’s work is truly never done. And he likes it that way.
Don’t forget to check out our Book Club selections for the month – perhaps you can use it as a reading list for your much-needed break.
