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Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Lifestyle

The Stages of Drug Recovery

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mixture of pills in a pile, drugs, over the counter, prescription, opioid,

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Drug use is a serious problem that has devastating effects on many people’s lives. However, it’s not impossible to recover from drug addiction and live a sober life. People who have successfully recovered from addiction will tell you that the process takes time, patience, and determination. Many have had success by visiting an Iboga treatment center, or similar drug treatment center, to help address the root cause of their issues and make the necessary changes for a healthier life. It’s important to remember that there are several stages to the recovery process outlined. They are as follows:

Emotional withdrawal.

This is the first stage of recovery, and it’s also the most important. This stage can be difficult because you will have to deal with some strong emotions that may be overwhelming at first. You might feel like giving up on recovery, but this will only make things worse for you in the long run. If you’re having trouble dealing with your emotions during this time, consider seeking professional help from a counselor or therapist specializing in addiction treatment and recovery support services.

Psychological withdrawal.

Psychological withdrawal symptoms may include depression, anxiety and other mood disorders. Depression can be severe enough to cause feelings of hopelessness and even suicidal ideation. Anxiety is also common, with people often experiencing extreme panic attacks that can mimic an actual heart attack or stroke.

Psychological withdrawal symptoms are usually the first to appear after drug use has stopped. They can range from mild irritability to full-blown psychosis. Mental health professionals typically treat these conditions with therapy and medications such as antidepressants or antianxiety drugs like Xanax (alprazolam).

Physical withdrawal.

Physical symptoms of withdrawal can be very uncomfortable, but they are usually short-lived. The most common physical symptoms include nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, sweating, chills, and goosebumps. These symptoms occur because the drug you have been taking has altered your body’s chemistry, and you will go through a period of readjustment. Drugs can also cause the body to lose water and electrolytes (minerals like sodium) during use, known as dehydration. Dehydration can lead to further health complications, such as seizures or organ failure if it is not treated promptly in the hospital

Detoxing.

Detoxing is the process of removing drugs from your body. Detoxing can be dangerous, so it’s important to get medical supervision during this time.

Detoxing can take anywhere from a few days to a few weeks, depending on how much and how long you’ve been using drugs and alcohol, what kinds of drugs you’re taking, and what they do to your system.

Rehabilitation.

Rehabilitation, through services similar to Sober Living Homes,  is a treatment program that helps you learn to live without drugs and alcohol. Rehab can also help you deal with stress, emotions, and addiction. It’s an important part of recovery because drug abuse changes how your brain works, making it harder for you to overcome addiction.

If you decide to get treatment, many different types of rehab programs are available. From going to see specialists at a certain time each day or checking in to an inpatient drug and alcohol addiction treatment center like The Recovery Village Indianapolis, you can find the support you need. The best type depends on how long you’ve been using drugs or drinking alcohol, what kind of substance dependence problem(s) you have (like opiate addiction or alcoholism), whether or not there are co-occurring mental health disorders involved in addition to the substance use disorder (like depression), and other factors specific to yourself.

Conclusion

Recovery from drug addiction is a long and challenging journey. It can be especially difficult for those who have been abusing substances for years, but with the right medical support and treatment options, it’s possible to recover completely from addiction and lead a healthy life.

Going Healthy, Going Strong, Health, Lifestyle, Parenting

Resourceful Mini-Workouts for Time Pressed Stay at Home Dads

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As stay-at-home dads, many of us strive to squeeze in time to get our heart rates up with our favorite workouts. While during certain weeks, our schedules may, in fact, permit time to fit in our ideal workout, this is only sometimes the case. As our days get squeezed by the demands of our kiddos and never-ending domestic responsibilities, it is tough to consistently find the time to enjoy our optimum workout regime, whether a two-hour ride, swim, or gym session.

The schedule and intentions we set for ourselves at the start of the week need to consider the often erratic nature of looking after youngsters, whose demands can significantly fluctuate at a moment’s notice. If we don’t take into account the unpredictability of caring for our youngsters, we set ourselves up for frustration when our coveted ‘me time’ gets taken away. And if our ‘me time’ is our exercise, our frustration can escalate into irritable behavior, negatively impacting the vibes in our household. In my case, missing just one or two days of intense physical activity can significantly impact my mood. Therefore, I do what I can to be resourceful. When I can’t find the time to go for an hour or two-hour gym session or bike ride, I become innovative and find shorter time increments to exercise while looking after the kids.

What is important for us to recognize is that our exercise regimes don’t always need to be perfect or that lengthy. When time is tight, and we are faced with a full day with the kids, we need not despair. Instead, we can choose to adopt a resourceful mindset by looking for fun and efficient ways to fit in our exercise while keeping the kids engaged. Hey, who said that guys can’t multi-task anyway?

While I’m sure many of you are already well aware of the health benefits of shorter, more intense exercise increments, I thought I would reiterate the significant health impacts these ‘quick hit’ sessions offer. An increasing number of health studies have demonstrated that even twenty minutes of medium to high-intensity exercise can help improve cardiovascular health, strength, and overall well-being. According to Stephen J. Carter, a cardiovascular physiologist at the Indiana University Bloomington School of Public Health, shorter, more intense workouts can be more advantageous for our health than longer, less intense physical activity. Carter states that, among other health benefits, these ‘quick hit’ workouts help reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease and lower mortality rates. So, with increasing studies backing their effectiveness, why wouldn’t we incorporate these time efficient high impact exercise sessions into our weekly routines, especially when our little ones demand so much of our time?

So, the next step is strategizing how we can implement these mini-workouts amidst our never-ending childcare responsibilities. Following are some examples of resourceful mini-exercise sessions I have been able to implement with my kids on several occasions that I’m sure most of you can fit in as well. Keep in mind that the ideas presented below will need to be adapted based on the developmental stage of your kiddos.

At the Playground:

Between pushing them on the swing or chasing them around the playground, do some natural bodyweight exercises like chin-ups, dips, push-ups, and lunges. Feel free to give them a good push on the swing or help them onto the slide and then fit in a quick set. You can even jog to and from the kiddos when needed in between sets. As an alternative to box jumps, try some park bench jumps. They are awesome for leg strengthening and jacking up the heart rate. Spinning them on the merry-go-round can be a tremendous oblique strengthening exercise. Don’t worry what the other parents think! They will likely be impressed and perhaps even inspired to do the same at some point.

Jogging while they Bike or Stride:

If they love to bike, jog with them. Understand that the jog may not be at a steady pace, but even if you have to stop now and then to pick them up off the pavement after they crash, it will still get your blood flowing and boost your endorphins.

At the Park:

Play some games of tag or do some fun races (running, hopping, bear crawling, or otherwise). Grab a soccer ball, baseball, or frisbee and sprint between kicking and throwing. Give them a head start while you sprint with them to get the ball.

In the Snow or on the Ice:

If you live in a snowy winter climate or have access to an ice rink, put a leash or rope around your waist and do running intervals by pulling them on a sled or skating rink. My kids love this, and it is a fantastic way to ensure an intense workout while they experience some good fun.

In and Around the House:

If your kids love to be taken on daddy horsey rides and you’ve got the strength for it, get them to sit on your back while crawling around the house and doing push-ups. For the legs, get them to hop on your back while doing squats or lunges. Body weight squat holds are fantastic for quad strength and mental fortitude. Have them count reps and seconds while you feel the burn! Airplane rides can also work the quads as well as stabilizers. Have fun with it!

For those with equipment at home, do circuit training with your kids. They will enjoy the creativity of coming up with their own fun exercises.

On the Trampoline:

If you have access to a trampoline, get on it and bounce with them. Kids love being double-bounced, but be careful not to launch them into your neighbor’s yard. You will be surprised at how much of a workout some good old-fashioned bouncing can provide. The quads and abs will be feeling it for sure.

Of course, you must ensure that these ideas are implemented safely and consider your children’s developmental stage. However, most of them can be adapted to best suit a range of ages. Each of these will also provide a legitimate increase in heart rate, in turn providing the health benefits our bodies need.

So, when you encounter a domestic turn of events and realize that your optimum workout may not happen, feel free to incorporate some of these mini-exercise regimens with your kiddos. Not only will you be gaining valuable health benefits yourself, but you will also model the importance of physical activity for your kids. Just remember to engage your resourceful mindset and have some fun!

I would also love to hear some of your creative mini-workout ideas, so please share them in the comments below.

Resources:

https://journals.lww.com/acsm-msse/pages/articleviewer.aspx?year=2021&issue=03000&article =00012&type=Fulltext

https://www.nytimes.com/2022/11/08/well/move/full-body-workout-20-minutes.html
Life, Tips

Dress for Success: What to Wear to Your First Job Interview

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There is one opportunity to make a great first impression at a job interview. Having the right clothes and attitude are crucial to landing your dream position. Discover what to wear for your first job interview and how to dress for future success.

Dress Like the Employer

The first step is determining what the employer wears to work to ensure your job interview outfit is appropriate. For example, the best mens navy dress shirt with a suit jacket is ideal for a corporate job interview, but it might not be suitable if interviewing for a camp counselor position. From casual startup businesses to Fortune 500 corporations, each place has a different dress code to follow for job interviews and workdays.

Business Attire Required

Most job interviews require business attire, such as a button-up shirt, suit jacket, dress pants, or a statement dress. The key is to look professional and polished to make a stellar impression on the job interviewer. Always ensure your outfit is clean, pressed, and smells fresh without any telltale stains or tears.

Consider the Climate and Season

Another important consideration is dressing professionally for the climate and season to ensure you are comfortable during the interview. Also, those who travel for job interviews should research the current temperature and conditions to dress appropriately for the area. After all, you don’t want to wear a heavy coat to a job interview in a warm, sunny location!

Inspect the Clothes

Often we wear clothing with flaws and never notice it because we are accustomed to our environment. For example, people with pets often have hair on their clothing or small stains from interacting with their furry friends. Inspect your outfit to remove pet hair and other imperfections for a smooth and clean appearance.

Accessories Matter

Choosing the right accessories is also important to pull together an impressive job interview outfit. Avoid heavy pieces or colorful ones that make a major impact. Instead, opt for classic accessories that complement your overall look without distracting from it.

Remember the Hair

Besides choosing an impressive job interview outfit, always remember to style your hair. A professional outfit with messy hair instantly makes the interviewer wonder if you pay attention to the details. Show your ability to focus on details by wearing a classic hairstyle to complement your job interview ensemble.

Minimal Makeup

Sometimes women put on makeup to feel confident and may overdo it for job interviews. Minimal makeup without sparkles or obviously long lashes makes the best first impression on job interviews. Save the dramatic makeup strategies for a night on the town to celebrate your new job.

Remember the Shoes

No outfit is complete without the proper shoes, including your job interview selection. The shoes you choose depend on the outfit, but they should always be clean and polished. Also, if the shoes have laces, they should be securely tied without fraying ends. It would be a good idea to check out some boots for the office as well as flats, and a slight heel, so you have a range to choose from if you do get the job.

Prepare the Night Before

Finally, lay out your job interview outfit the night before the big day. Don’t over-think your outfit at this point; put everything together to be ready in the morning. When you are well-prepared, you instantly feel more confident.

The right outfit makes you feel ready for success at your job interview. Always research the company dress code and choose an outfit accordingly for the best possible experience.