"The Addicted Mind Podcast" offers hope, understanding, and guidance for those dealing with addiction, with real stories and research to inspire and show the journey to recovery is worth it.
Stress Happens. Here’s What to Do When It Does
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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 things you can see or feel. This pulls you out of your head and back into the present. Shrink the problem. Stress loves big, scary stories. Ask yourself: What’s the next small step I can take right now? Small steps calm the brain. Stay connected. Stress pushes us to isolate. Recovery works better when we do the opposite — even a quick text can help. Stress doesn’t mean you’re failing. It means you’re human. Tools turn hard moments into manageable ones. You’ve got more skills than you think. Deep breaths, Duane |
The Addicted Mind Podcast
"The Addicted Mind Podcast" offers hope, understanding, and guidance for those dealing with addiction, with real stories and research to inspire and show the journey to recovery is worth it.
Hi Reader, Society tells us that strong people leave after infidelity. But here's the truth: most partners actually stay—and then struggle with the crushing shame of that choice. If you're working on your relationship after betrayal, you don't need judgment. You need compassion and support. In my latest conversation with Tammy Gustafson—a trauma therapist who's walked this path herself—we dismantle the stigma around staying and explore self-compassion, boundaries, and focusing on YOUR...
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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...