Hi Reader, Stressful moments are part of life. Big conversations, tough days, unexpected news, or just too much at once can flip your nervous system into overdrive. The good news? You don’t need willpower to get through stress. You need tools. Here are a few that actually help in the moment: Slow your breathing. Longer exhales tell your brain you’re safe. Try breathing in for 4, out for 6 — just a few rounds can lower anxiety. Ground your body. Put your feet flat on the floor. Name five...
1 day ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind +, Eric and I talk about something that doesn’t get discussed enough in recovery: your shadow—the parts of yourself you’ve learned to hide, push away, or feel ashamed of. Here’s the twist: your shadow isn’t just the “bad” stuff. It also holds creativity, passion, and drive—parts of you that may have felt unsafe or unwanted at some point. In this episode, we explore why there are no “bad parts,” and how bringing these hidden parts into the light can...
7 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Here’s a question worth asking more often: Am I resting… or am I avoiding? Both can look the same on the outside — lying low, saying no, taking a break. But they feel very different on the inside. Rest restores you. You come back with more clarity, energy, or patience.Avoidance numbs you. You come back feeling more stuck, guilty, or disconnected. A simple check-in can help:Does this give me more capacity — or help me escape a feeling I don’t want to face? In recovery and mental...
8 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Here’s a gentle reminder that can lower your stress almost instantly: you don’t have to solve tomorrow today. Our brains are great at time travel — replaying the past and worrying about the future. But recovery and mental health happen in the present. When we try to figure out everything at once, we overload ourselves and create pressure that can lead to anxiety, shutdown, or old coping habits. Instead, try this question: What’s the next right thing I can do today?Not the whole...
15 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind +, Eric and I talk about something that’s at the heart of long-term recovery: connection. Not perfect habits, not superhuman willpower—just having people in your life who really see you and support you. Addiction feeds on isolation and shame. It convinces you to hide and tells you that you’re a burden. But recovery grows in community. When you hear someone else share a story that sounds a lot like yours, something shifts. You realize you’re not alone,...
21 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Let’s talk about New Year’s resolutions — those shiny promises we make on January 1st when motivation is high and the coffee is strong. They can be great… but they can also be a trap. The pros?Resolutions give structure, hope, and a sense of direction. They help us name what we want and take a step toward it. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming bigger or setting a fresh intention. The cons?Resolutions often come with pressure. Big, unrealistic goals can trigger shame when life gets...
22 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind Podcast, I had a powerful and emotional conversation with Burton Fischler, author of The Gift: Trauma to Triumph. Burton shares the almost unimaginable loss of his wife, Barbara, and how he navigated the deep trauma that followed. His story is heartbreaking—but also incredibly hopeful. We talk about what it really means to live with PTSD, how writing became part of his healing, and why gratitude—not joy—is often the first step toward rebuilding your...
24 days ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, Holiday get-togethers can be tricky in recovery. They’re full of old dynamics, loud energy, and sometimes more opinions than appetizers. So here’s a short handbook to help you stay grounded while you celebrate. • Arrive with a plan. Know how long you want to stay and how you’ll leave.• Bring your own non-alcoholic drink. It guarantees you’ll have something you like and takes the pressure off.• Stick with safe people. One familiar face can make all the difference.• Step away when...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read
Hi Reader, This week on The Addicted Mind Podcast, I had a really thoughtful conversation with Swami Revati, a Hindu monk with over 15 years of monastic experience. We talked about spirituality, psychology, and what it actually means to find lasting happiness. Swami Revati shares how Eastern spirituality looks at life as a “science of the self”—learning who you are at your core and building a steady inner source of peace that doesn’t depend on what’s happening around you. We also explore how...
about 1 month ago • 1 min read