Spotting the Signs of Overbearing Concerns
Have you ever caught yourself expressing worries that seem disproportionate to the situation? This tendency to vocalize excessive concern can be a sign that your anxiety is spilling over, potentially affecting your child’s mental health. Research highlights that worry is often verbal and involves little imagery, leading to a focus on perceived threats without tangible benefits. Chronic worrying contributes to emotional distress and can lead to physical symptoms like illness. By recognizing these patterns, you can work on managing your anxiety, thus fostering a more positive atmosphere for your children.

Unlocking Peace Through Professional Family Support
If you find that your anxiety is affecting your family, seeking professional support can be incredibly beneficial. Parental anxiety often increases the risk of anxiety in children, making it essential to tackle these issues together. Cognitive behavioral therapy and attachment-based family therapy have shown promise in helping families develop healthier coping mechanisms. These approaches not only help you manage your anxiety but also improve communication within the family, reducing anxiety-driven behaviors.

Pursuing Career Growth to Ease Work-Related Anxiety
If your current job is causing anxiety, pursuing an online degree might be a transformative step. For instance, earning a master’s degree in nursing can open doors to diverse career paths such as nurse education, informatics, administration, or advanced practice nursing. Online programs offer the flexibility to balance your caregiving responsibilities while advancing your education. Click here to learn more about thriving in different career paths with an MSN degree.

The Power of Open and Supportive Dialogue
Communicating effectively with your children involves discussing emotions in a way that doesn’t add to their stress. Building a strong emotional bond can lead to improved academic success and healthier relationships for your children. Practice empathy by actively listening and acknowledging their feelings, fostering trust and mutual respect. Avoid problem-solving during heightened emotions, as the goal is to support rather than overwhelm. These strategies can help you manage your anxieties while maintaining a nurturing environment for your child’s emotional development.

Cultivating Mindfulness for a Calmer Home
Adopting mindfulness techniques can significantly help you recognize and manage your anxiety, especially in relation to your parenting style. By focusing on the present, you become more aware of your thoughts and emotions, allowing you to develop healthier coping mechanisms. Mindful parenting practices can lead to more positive interactions with your child, promoting their emotional and social proficiency. Mindfulness interventions enhance awareness and compassion in parents, leading to decreased stress and better parent-child relationships, which is crucial for preventing anxiety transmission to your child.

Building Routine for Family Harmony
Establishing regular routines can be a powerful tool in managing family stress, especially during challenging times. Routines provide structure and predictability, helping both adults and children feel grounded. Research indicates that consistent family mealtimes and setting boundaries around activities like screen time can significantly bolster family resilience during crises. When everyone knows what to expect, it reduces anxiety and creates an environment conducive to happiness and stability.

Recognizing Anxiety in Yourself and Your Child
Recognizing anxiety symptoms in both yourself and your child is vital for safeguarding your family’s well-being. Children may show anxiety through clinginess, sleep issues, or physical discomfort like stomach aches, mirroring adult symptoms such as increased heart rate and irritability. Identifying these patterns allows you to address the root cause and prevent it from affecting your family’s daily life. Seeking professional guidance can equip you with strategies to manage anxiety effectively, promoting a healthy environment for both you and your child.

In embracing the journey of managing parental anxiety, you safeguard your child’s emotional well-being and nurture a more robust and resilient family unit. Each step to understand and address your concerns is a step towards a peaceful mind and a harmonious home. By transforming worries into wise actions, you create a legacy of emotional strength and stability that your children will carry into their future. Remember, the calm and balanced environment you cultivate today will blossom into tomorrow's secure and loving relationships—a testament to your enduring love and dedication as a parent.

Transform lives with Hope Connection International by supporting those impacted by abuse and addiction—visit us to learn how you can help make a difference today!

Author: Camille Johnson
Image via Freepik

Join a support group.

According to the American Academy of Family Physicians, death is not the only type of loss a person might experience grief over. We can grieve for life changes, such as the loss of financial security or divorce. However, of all the different things we can grieve, death is the most permanent. Although you must give yourself time to process events, it can help to join a support group. If you live in the Raleigh area, Hope Connection International meets each Wednesday at 7 PM.

Keep a journal.

Journaling is not exclusive to 14-year-olds with a secret crush. Writing down how you feel is an excellent way to get in touch with your emotions. Journaling can also help you identify your own personal goals, and reaching for these is an important step toward healing. Before you start writing things down, remember that you must move forward without fear of judgment. Although the things you do in the public may be scrutinized, what you write in your journal is truly for your eyes only. Having this positive outlet improves your mental well-being while giving you a safe space to express both positive and negative emotions.

Live your dreams.

Death has a funny way of reminding us that our time on earth is finite. This gives us more motivation to do things that truly make us happy, such as traveling more or implementing life changes that will bring us personal fulfillment. One example is starting your own business. Although the laws and regulations are different in each state, forming an LLC in NC is a great way to get started while also protecting your personal assets from serious business issues. There are many different types of businesses you can start that will enhance your life. These include anything from being a wedding planner to pet sitter.

Get creative.

Even if you don’t consider yourself particularly artistic, there is something cathartic about expressing yourself creatively. This might be poetry, art, or sculpting. Whatever you choose to do, don’t worry about how it might be perceived by others. Remember, art is subjective, and as long as you are happy during the process, it is a successful endeavor. Scripps Affiliated Medical Groups further point out that art enhances cognitive abilities, especially in seniors. Creativity may also come in the form of interpretive dance or playing music.

Other Ideas

A few other ways that you might consider to take care of yourself now include:

• Eating a healthy diet
• Getting more sleep each night
• Creating a social network through volunteering
• Starting a new hobby by yourself or with friends
• Talking to a therapist

Grief is different for everyone. But, what is universal is that we must move forward, no matter how hard it is. Don’t feel pressured to heal immediately. You must take your time and do so only when you are ready. When you are, the steps above can help you get there while enjoying a little bit of life along the way.

​I am not jinxed. It is not contagious. My presence and influence are no danger to you or yours.
Do not judge me.
This did not happen because I caused it, deserved it, or failed to stop it. I got pulled into something beyond my control, and I couldn’t pull out. I do not know why, and neither do you.
Do not tell me I should have tried harder.
You have no idea of my struggle. You have no idea of my desire. You have no idea how I fought my own body, my own mind, my own brain, my own demons to walk away and be free of drugs. A fallen warrior is still a warrior.
Do not judge my family.
My family was there for me throughout my struggle, and remain loyal to me now. They did not ‘raise me wrong’ or ‘fail to save me.’ My failure to get clean was not a lack of love for them or from them. They did what they could, often after everyone else had given up on me. I would not have stayed alive as long as I did without them.
Do not pity me.
I struggled, and watched my family struggle alongside me. I did not go down without a fierce struggle, and I did not go down alone. My legacy is safe in the hands of those who fought for me with a loyalty and a fierceness that most so-called ‘normal’ kids will never know,
Do not pity my family.
My family does not need pity. They deserve respect and support, but many will not offer that to them because of my addiction. Anyone who knows will understand the strength and character my family showed by staying by my side.
Do not question me.
I did the best I could. I do not know if things would have been different if I had done certain things differently or had different friends, and neither do you. If you have not lived it, you can never understand the intensity of my efforts. Losing the battle with addiction is not a reflection of my desire to win or the strength I used to fight it. Addiction is a mightier enemy than you can ever know.
Do not blame me.
If you have not lived through this, you are not qualified to tell me why I became an addict, why I continued to return to the drugs, or why I could not quit. Your opinion would be based on nothing but your own ideas. I lived this struggle, and I could not answer those questions any more than a cancer patient could tell you why they developed cancer or why it could not be cured. Addiction is a physical and mental disease.
Do not tell me you understand.
There are very few people in my life who can say they understand my struggle or the struggle of my loved ones. Be grateful you cannot. There is only one way to understand, and you do not want to go there.
Do not think that you are more loving/ loved/stronger than I was.
I loved my mom and dad, and they loved me.  I loved my sister's and they loved me..they were my life.  This is not a problem which can be solved by love. Love and addiction are not connected. You would have to live our struggle to ever understand the love and the effort that were involved on all sides.
Do not congratulate yourself and your family as being better than me or mine.
If you and your family have avoided the demon of addiction, you are lucky. Addiction can happen to anyone, anywhere, any time. It is found in broken homes and happy ones. It is found in the ghetto and in palaces. It victimizes the smart, the ignorant, the strong, the weak, the brave and the timid. It affects male and female, young and old, Black, White, Latino and Asian. Addiction , like cancer, chooses its victims blindly and from all walks of life.
I am the the son
who died from an overdose.
I am a loved and valuable human being..my life matters!
My name is John Ryan Mauer❤
Sunrise: 05/10/1991
Sunset: 02/01/2021
💜 August is Overdose Awareness Month💜

SEK

...my worst enemy was so close to me, maybe I was in denial because I was resisting myself to even imagine that, to be so naive and keep betting on my original family, believing that they have a good heart, but the only thing they want for me all this year is to fail, manipulating people and situations against me, cutting off my wings so as not to fly, making sure I fail again over and over again and feeling happy about it, how evil is that, it sounds horrible but that was happening. I was resisting to believe that something like this could exist in my life, but the reality showed  me and opened my eyes, it is painful of course it is, I was suffering and crying about this so much and I continue to processing in my mind, my emotional health and my mind was devastated it. Unfortunately sometimes it is not going back, because when you forgive many times, they get used to hurting you.
​Only God knows how painful it is to even write about this, only he knows all the troubles and how sad it was, but also only he could restore and renew your strength like an eagle and show his love and compassion, he was hugging and loving me at all times, all praise and glory to him!
​
I know it will be a new season in my life, a new beginning, I choose and will always choose to move forward happily, without hatred but wisely to never return again, because trust and relationship is broken, it's over. Sometimes God clears our way to make us Holly again, happy again, to open new doors, new people, good people, friends to become family, to love and accept you for who you are, to live without conditions.

I feel free now, somehow. 

I declare the best for me and my daughters, our health, our minds, our hearts, our lives, our future is covered by the love and protection of Jesus, restored in his name and guiding us towards a wonderful, brighter, successful future and abundance

--Abuse survivor, single parent of two children

En español
​
Me perdono por ser honesta, por confiar demasiado, por perdonar una y otra vez, por ser yo en un mundo falso donde los valores están al revés, por defender a los demás, por tratar de encontrar algún tipo de justicia, por tratar de proteger a familiares que se perdieron hace mucho tiempo, por intentar encontrar algún tipo de coherencia en nuestras vidas, por intentar encontrar el bien en los demás ya no existían, por intentar ayudar a alguien que ni siquiera veía lo que está mal porque se perdió asimismo hace mucho tiempo, por tratar de ser un miembro de la familia que se preocupa por los demás, cuando nunca me vieron o me quisieron como familia, por estar ciega todos estos años y nunca ver que mi peor enemigo estaba tan cerca de mí, tal vez estaba en negación, porque me estaba resistiendo a mí misma siquiera imaginar eso, ser tan ingenua y seguir apostando por mi familia original, por creer que tenían un buen corazón, pero lo único que querían todos estos años es verme fallar, manipulando personas y situaciones en mi contra, cortándome  las alas para no volar, asegurarse de que vuelva a fallar una y otra vez y sintiéndose feliz por eso, qué malvado es eso, suena horrible verdad, yo me estaba resistiendo que algo así podría existir, pero la realidad me mostró y me abrió los ojos, es doloroso por supuesto que lo es, llore mucho y aún sigo procesándolo, mi salud emocional y mi mente estaba devastada. Lamentablemente a veces no hay vuelta atrás, porque cuando perdonas muchas veces, ellos se acostumbran a lastimarte.

Solo Dios sabe lo doloroso que es, incluso escribir sobre esto, solo él sabe todos los problemas y lo triste que fue, pero también solo él pudo restaurar y renovar mis fuerzas como un águila, me mostró su amor y compasión, no me soltó, me abrazó y me mostró su amor. en todo momento, toda la alabanza y gloria a él!

Sé que será una nueva temporada en mi vida, nuevo comienzo, elijo y siempre elegiré seguir adelante feliz, sin odio, pero sabiamente para no volver nunca más, porque la confianza se rompió y la relación se acabó. A veces Dios limpia nuestro camino para hacernos Íntegros  nuevamente, felices nuevamente, para abrir nuevas puertas, nuevas personas, buenas personas, amigos que se convertirán en familiares, que te amen y acepten por lo que eres, sin condiciones.
​
Me siento libre ahora, de alguna manera. 

Declaro lo mejor para mí y mis hijas, nuestra salud, nuestra mente, nuest

​Many people find success with traditional treatments for addiction, but the drawback of traditional methods of recovery is that they sometimes leave gaps in care. Using alternative treatments for recovery, like mindfulness, stress management, and exercise, can help fill those gaps. For some people, that means using these in place of more traditional treatments, while others find that they’re a great complement to what they’re already doing. 

When Should Someone Seek Alternative Treatments?

If you’re new to the world of complementary medicine, or if you’re just starting your recovery process, it’s hard to know which approach is right for you. The reality is that anyone can benefit from increasing mindfulness, reducing stress, and exercising. Many traditional treatment programs don’t give you the tools you need to manage stress long term, which is a key piece to thriving and staying successful in recovery. Using alternative methods can put that missing piece into your recovery process, giving you more control over your body and emotions.

How Do Alternative Recovery Methods Work?

They reduce stress. Managing stress is an essential part of recovery. Studies have shown that addiction changes a person’s response to stress, and when people in recovery experience high amounts of stress, they are more susceptible to relapse. Engaging in activities that reduce stress is a simple but effective way to break this cycle. Lifestyle changes like meditation and exercise can provide a long-term solution to managing stress, but it’s also important to do little things daily that reduce stress whenever it pops up. For example, reading a good book for even a few minutes is a great way to let your mind escape, and afterward, you can refocus. You can also reduce stress and anxiety by decluttering and cleaning your home.  A space free of clutter can promote a more positive outlook. 

They help address underlying problems in ways traditional therapy can’t. For some people who have underlying problems linked to addiction, like depression and anxiety, alternative therapies like meditation can create a relaxation response that helps when traditional therapy doesn’t. Meditation is one practice that can help someone achieve mindfulness — becoming more aware of thoughts and feelings while also being able to remain detached from them. Mindfulness is an excellent tool for regaining control over thoughts and choices. A study in JAMA Psychiatry showed that individuals who used mindfulness-based relapse prevention had a lower risk of relapse than those who used traditional therapy.

They can change your brain chemistry. Of course, exercise is good for your health, but it is also therapeutic. When you get your heart rate up, your brain releases endorphins, giving you a completely healthy “natural high.” In this way, exercising actually has an effect on your brain chemistry that reduces stress and gives you more energy and strength for whatever comes your way. According to the Fix, focusing on exercise makes your mind feel lighter, so in addition to relieving stress, it helps with practicing mindfulness too. There are countless ways to maximize these results by doing activities that are both active and meditative, like taking a hike in nature.

Additionally, paying close attention to your gut health can help with stress and mood management. Although it might be hard to believe, the health of this microbiome can have a profound effect on your overall well-being. In fact, vitamin B6, omega-3 fatty acids, iron, and magnesium are just a few of the nutrients that can act as “mood boosters” when we work them into our regular diets. So, whenever possible, try to incorporate leafy greens, avocados, nuts, eggs, and asparagus into your meals — even if you’re not used to eating these foods.

Are There Risks to Alternative Treatment?

Mindfulness, stress management, and exercise are all part of a holistic way of living that is safe and good for you. Depending on your situation, though, it may not be a good idea to use only these treatments for addiction without also getting the help of a professional substance abuse counselor. If you have underlying mental health issues like depression, a professional counselor can help you determine whether substance abuse is the source of your depression or if depression has played a role in leading to substance abuse. You can use mindfulness and other holistic measures to treat depression, but only a professional can assess what’s really going on to make sure you’re getting the treatment you really need. Joining the Hope Connection International addiction recovery support group can also be integral to your recovery. This support group is led by well-trained therapists and mentors who can support your recovery with compassion and insight.

For most people, combining the professional expertise of a counselor or treatment program with alternative treatments like mindfulness is the best approach to recovery. A professional addiction treatment specialist can make sure you’re getting the right care. Combining that care with holistic ways of managing stress will give you the tools you need for long-term success.

Photo credit: Pexels

Author: Jennifer Scott
Spiritfinder.org | info@spiritfinder.org

RehabSpot.com is an information hub to educate people on all aspects of substance-use and the recovery process: from selection of treatment center, to what you can expect during treatment, to entering back into a healthy and fulfilling life. Rehab can benefit people by offering a supportive environment, 24/7 medical assistance and daily therapy/treatments designed to help a person better understand and overcome the reasons behind their addiction.

This page will help loved ones not only be able to distinguish the signs of a possible addiction, but also reach out and make a positive change.

Alex Johnson
Community Outreach Specialist
RehabSpot.com

A Transformative Opportunity
The gig economy covers an enormous expanse of money-making opportunity. Think of it as a chance to try something you’ve always been interested in but never had the time to pursue. For many people, it’s a pathway to self-sufficiency and the freedom to work independently. For someone seeking a full-time job, it’s a lifeline during a time of financial uncertainty. At present, 57 million Americans (about 36 percent of the entire workforce) are making money in the gig economy. If you’re not sure how it might suit you, consider these ideas.
Pet Sitting
If you love animals, considering starting a pet-sitting service. It’s an in-demand gig these days given the number of professional people who need someone responsible and caring to watch over their dog, cat, or whatever the case may be. You’ll get paid to provide companionship, go for walks, play, and feed pets while their owners are stuck at the office or out of town on business. You’re free to set your own schedule, prices, and pet preferences, making it an ideal gig for anyone looking for steady income during the job-hunting process.
Dog Walker
So you wanted to be a pet sitter but lack the room to accommodate several animals at once. Don’t be discouraged -- you can channel your love for animals into a dog-walking gig. Dog-walking services typically list online so dog owners nearby can find them easily with a simple Web search. Dog owners may have very specific instructions, or let you choose your own route. If you live near a park that permits dogs, you have a built-in selling point or, if you have the facilities, consider offering boarding services to your dog-owner clientele.
Music Instruction
Did you play drums or guitar in a band during college? Take piano or violin lessons in your younger days? If so, you might give music lessons. Busy parents are always on the lookout for someone affordable to give their school-age children music lessons. If you can work around your clients’ schedules, you can earn a respectable income doing something you truly enjoy.
Freelance Writing
If working your own hours is an important consideration, freelance writing might be your ideal gig. There are a number of ways to create an income stream (or multiple streams) writing online marketing content, newsletters, press releases, academic papers, blogs, and much more. If you have a way with words, there’s also money to be made working as a copy editor or proofreader. Set your own price structure, work when you want to -- what could be better?
Your Own Handiwork
Have you ever been told you should market the handmade objects you give friends and family for Christmas and birthday presents? Well, now there’s an online marketplace for people like you. Consider selling your creative handiwork through Etsy, an e-commerce site that emphasizes everything from toys and knick-knacks to handmade jewelry and clothing items.
Job hunting doesn’t have to be a time of stress and anxiety while you’re getting used to life after rehab. Use it as a time of personal exploration, during which you stretch out and make a fresh start with an exciting new venture. You can pay the bills by working for yourself -- you might even end up with a successful at-home business.

Author: Rufus Stanley RecoveringWorks.com
Image courtesy of Pixabay.com

Envisioning a healing and recovery community, Hope Connection aims to open a long-term housing facility that offers safe living arrangements for survivors of domestic violence and ongoing substance abuse recovery.  With property values skyrocketing, finding affordable housing in the Triangle area is more difficult than ever.  With abuse and addiction victims most vulnerable to homelessness, the Triangle area needs supportive, long-term housing more than ever!

In early 2017, Debra found a large property in Southwestern Wake County perfect for a Hope Connection housing project.  Located in New Hill, NC, this property encompasses 29 acres and contains a 40 resident facility with an industrial-sized kitchen, laundry room, and restrooms.  Once we acquire the property, Hope Connection must raise more than $600,000 over the course of the next year.  Now, we are in the process of applying for housing grants and loans in addition to fundraising.  Once complete, this project will provide affordable housing for a significant volume of abused and addicted women and men throughout the community.  With your support, we can actualize the dream of long-term housing!

In early 2016, Debra Barkett proceeded to launch a social enterprise that financially aids Hope Connection in the future.  Then, she stumbled across a commercial ​storage facility down the sidewalk from the Community Care Center at the South Hills Mall on Buck Jones Road.  ​In the beginning, we rented the space to store in-kind donations at the facility.  

Shortly after, we began receiving random furniture donations without even advertising the need for furniture!  Before long, our furniture donations accumulated to the point where we needed to lease the entire commercial space and open our own furniture thrift store.  With our Development Director Ben Weston hard at work on the phones, we eventually accrued enough furniture and home décor to host furniture sales once a month in the summer of 2017. 

​On November 7, 2017, Déjà Vu Furniture and Home Décor Thrift store opened its doors to the public for full-time sales, largely due to the personal sacrifice of one of our board members, John Stephens.  Now, Déjà Vu Thrift Store is open Tuesday to Saturday from 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM.  We are always looking for volunteer staff members to manage the cash register, help price or rearrange furniture, and assist with the furniture pick-ups from donors’ homes. Witnessing the progress of the Déjà Vu Thrift Store has been extraordinary!