Qualities of Sober Friends

On an addict’s journey to recovery from substance addiction, having sober friends is vital for he/she to fully recover.

It helps them remember that they are others who have gone through their experience and came out well. Having sober friends also gives them good support in case of relapse and in times of difficulty.

But it is also important to know how to identify these friends. An addict needs to know the traits to look for in a person that make them a sober friend. Therefore, this article will discuss some qualities to identity in a sober friend.

These qualities include;

  • Honesty

If you are spending time with people during your recovery; you do not want friends who do not tell you the truth.

You do not want people who only tell you want to hear. You should go for friends who are honest and would tell you if you are doing something which can harm your recovery process.

  • Supportive

You must have supportive friends during your recovery. Sober friends are people who support you and are there to help you through the recovery process. It could be psychological or even physical support because you will need all the support you can get.

  • Encouraging

Sober friends are also very encouraging people. This is a vital trait of a sober friend because the recovery won’t always be easy. There could be hard days and possible relapse, but you need people who will continue to encourage you through it all.

These people encourage you to attend therapy, not to skip sessions or medication, and encourage you that the process will be a success.

  • Patience

Sober friends are also patient people. To support and encourage recovering addicts through their recovery process you have to be patient with them. There may be times when the recovering addict might lash out or act angrily, but in patience, sober friends continue to support.

  • Accountability

Sober friends are accountable people. They have to be accountable in their own lives, for them to be able to hold you accountable for your recovery. Accountability helps to ensure a recovering addict remains on the right track and does not deviate from sobriety.

So, these are some traits of a sober friend, ones you should identify in people around you during your recovery. These qualities are important in helping a recovering addict overcome addiction and remain clean.

IMPORTANCE OF HAVING SOBER FRIENDS

The best thing that can happen to any individual is having the right set of friends around him or her. Sober friends are individuals that encourage you to live healthily, by implementing safe health practices.

Having friends who are not sober could be disastrous, people like that encourage you to start abusing substances or behaviors. Before you know it, you become addicted.

This is why, when people go to a rehab for addiction treatment, the therapist has huge interest in the kind of friends they keep. Friends have the capacity to make or mar you, and it is important to know the potential role they play in your life.

Getting genuine friends is not a herculean task, all that is needed is to properly observe those whose activities are helpful to your health and wellbeing.

When you are friends with someone who is addicted to sex, you can be sure that in due time, you will be influenced and you could become a sex addict in the nearest future.

Friends are building blocks to our future and we cannot do without them. So, for those who think it is better to stay on their own instead of mingling, have got it all wrong.

Having sober friends helps you to become the best version of your friends. These set of people would be cross with you if you do not do the right thing.

Imagine having a friend who has to call you early in the morning so that you can go for a 30-minutes jog. 

Friends like that are interested in your health and they want you to get better. So, they will go lengths to ensuring that you do well in all facets of life.

You can always rely on sober friends because you have the same belief system. No one is an island of knowledge; they might have the solution to the problem you have been trying to figure out.

Certainly, sober friends would not serve as an encumbrance, they also want to get better so that they can positively impact you.

BENEFITS OF GOOD REST

Resting well is advantageous and it is a concept of our health that needs to be taking seriously.

Some individuals pride themselves in the act of skipping their rest schedule because they have seemingly important tasks that should be attended to.

What they are oblivious of is, their health is being affected in the process.

Do you know that when you do not rest well, you are giving room for low performance and productivity in whatever you do?

Below are some benefits that come with resting:

Improved learning and enhanced memory: During the process of resting, the brain has little or no things focused on. Even though you are not sleeping at this point, your brain is in a state of rest.

You can be listening to music at this point or even sleeping. This enables you to learn all that you have processed during the day and store them effectively.

Get solutions to problems: Possibly, the reason why you have not found solution to the problem you have been battling with, is because you have not found time to rest.

When you put your brain to rest, it becomes refreshed and enables you to think properly, thereby arriving at a solution that you have been stressing to get.

Improved mood: Our mood does not remain constant at all times. One minute we might be happy and cheerful and the next, we could be sad and discouraged. For your mood to be great at all times, you need to rest.

This might look unachievable, but it would interest you to know that, it is possible. To prevent mental health problems associated with moods like depression and anxiety, it is important to rest.

All the above-mentioned points are quintessential and it is vital that they are implemented. No matter how busy your schedule might be, it is important to give rest a top priority in your life.

You never might know the health problem that would be avoided with an ample amount of time used to rest.

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

TIPS FOR A HEALTHY LIFESTYLE

A healthy lifestyle can be regarded as one which helps an individual to keep and enhance his health and well-being. There are a good number of things which can be done to have a healthy lifestyle which includes: healthy eating, achieving a physically healthy state, having a healthy weight, controlling your stress levels amongst others.

Now, it should be noted that living a healthy lifestyle does not just have to do with eating healthy and undergoing exercise, it also involves catering for your mental, emotional and physical well-being.

There are many regular ways on how to live a healthy lifestyle, however, it is slightly different for everyone. Although, irrespective of the choice you make as regards this, living a healthy lifestyle is a basic component to preventing disease, having a long lifespan and wellness.

Below are some essential tips to a healthy lifestyle:

  • Drink much water: A good number of people do not take water every day, and they do not know that water has various important roles to play in our bodies. Water is necessary to perform body functions, eliminate waste and transport nutrients and oxygen round the body. Since water is lost every day through our daily activities, there is an important need to refill it.
  • Have enough sleep: Not having enough sleep could lead to many health problems which include: diabetes, obesity and heart disease. It could also affect the immune system of the body. Stimulants such as nicotine and caffeine should always be avoided when it is close to bedtime, in order to make you sleep well. Also, alcohol should not be taken when it is close to bedtime.
  • Exercise on a regular basis: Although most people might not be able to exercise daily, based on the fact that they have busy schedules, it does not change the fact that it is necessary that it can be done few times a week. Exercising regularly increases the lifespan, and reduces the risk of you coming down with disease. Having exercise combines working out on a healthy purpose, and still having fun at the same time.
  • Take more vegetables and fruits: Fruits and vegetables have lots of minerals and vitamins which are very useful to the body. These substances help in eliminating the unwanted toxic substances in our bodies.

FORMULA FOR HEALTHY LIVING

FORMULA FOR HEALTHY LIVING

The need to stay healthy is very important but people are not ready to take up the responsibilities that is required to have a good health and well-being. Our daily selection of activities actually determine how healthy we are. Although, we cannot control our state of healthiness but the choices we make and our attitude towards living healthy can be a determining factor.

There are some areas we have control of, which includes our diet and nutrition, exercise and fitness, rest and personal hygiene. All these can have an enormous effect on our health and can be important factors in the prevention of diseases and other health problems later on.

For instance, proper and balance diet is a boost to the immune system of the body and can help in the fight against diseases. A lot of times we consume foods that are not suitable for the body and by doing so, we are at risk of having health issues. However, taking the right food and observing adequate body exercise can provide the body with the necessary rudiments needed to fight and combat diseases.

            There are some diseases that an adequate and balance diet can prevent and they include:

  • Various kinds of cancer such as kidney cancer, postrate cancer, cancer of the lungs and so on.
  • High blood pressure and hypertension
  • Heart diseases
  • Stroke
  • Diabetes

Also, proper rest also contributes a lot to the well-being of the body. It refreshes the body particularly after exhaustion and tiredness and provides strength to perform daily activities effectively. It does not only affect the body but the brain as well. For the brain to stay active and functioning, there is need for adequate rest.

In addition, good rest, balanced diet and adequate exercise does not only contribute to the physical well-being of the body but as well as the psychological welfare. It has the ability to affect the mood. Good exercise can create an energetic feeling and enables you to perform any task with enthusiasm and maximum drive. Also a stable diet and good rest can help reduce stress and enhance the activity of the brain.

Depression and anxiety which are one of the main issues associated with mental health can be prevented with a healthy living. Also, risk of obesity and other issues associated with weight and fitness of the body can be avoided by adequate exercise.

Finally, in a search for a stable health, it is necessary to seek medical advice periodically as this puts you in check and ensures you are living healthy in the best way as possible.

Health Almanac Information and Tips

health almanacAny good health almanac will tell you that there is a particular set of basic lifestyle choices one must make in order to live a healthy life. Most of them are purely common sense, yet people struggle to adhere to them. Life can be full of burden and hardship, and there are a number of reasons why people become distracted from their health goals. But the fact of the matter is, nature intended people to live in a certain way, consuming certain foods, using our bodies athletically and using our intelligence to monitor our health. Living the way nature intended is the best bet a person has for achieving their optimal health.

The first and most obvious means of monitoring one’s health is through diet. Humanity has long been aware of the ways that nutrition affects our health, but in modern times, we have developed a well-rounded philosophy of food as medicine itself. The natural foods of the earth contain vitamins, nutrients, enzymes, proteins, antioxidants and a number of other medicinal qualities that nourish our bodies. When we think critically about what we should eat for health, apply what we know to our eating habits, adhere to portion control and avoid substance abuse and unhealthy foods, we can achieve a very high level of physical health.

Exercise and physical activity are another critical factor in the quest for optimal health. Our bodies were not meant to last forever, but staying active is a certain method of keeping the body functioning as well as possible, even into our senior years. Athletic activity is excellent for all the body’s systems, including circulatory, cardiovascular and the immune system. It is a way of managing weight and keeping all the vital organs functioning properly, as well as strengthening muscles in the body and keeping joints relaxed and lubricated.

And lastly, in our present age of modern medicine, it is wise to make regular doctor’s visits and pay attention to medical opinions. Doctors have access to the information that is not common sense regarding health practices, and their diagnoses can mean the difference between sound health and poor health. It is critical to find a regular physician, make frequent appointents with them, follow their advice and take any medications as prescribed in order to achive your health goals. For current information on interesting health topics, acquire a copy of a recently released health almanac.

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Medical Opinions

med opinionWhen it comes to care of all your bodily systems, ranging from your teeth, eyes, heart and feet, medical opinions are unavoidably necessary and can mean the difference between life and death. Having a regular physician who is familiar with your health profile can make a world of difference in your ongoing physical health and wellness. When a physician is familiar with you personally, they are able to treat your whole person and practice preventative as well as diagnostic medicine on you.

Having regular doctor’s exams is critical to your bodily health. Once or twice a year is essential to ensure that your basic wellness is where it should be. Routine physical exams include taking blood pressure, weight and basic chemical levels using bodily fluids. Any symptoms or changes in the body should be discussed with your physician. Depending on your age, other tests may apply to your routine exams as well, such as mammograms for women and prostate exams for men.

Some people are guilty of making visits to their doctor but not following their advice carefully. Often, people will take their diagnosis too much into their own hands and adjust the doctor’s orders to suit their lifestyle and comfort. It is important to heed the advice of your doctor rather than pick and choose from their medical opinions. Any adjustments you make to their instructions may mean the difference between success or failure to your health goals. This includes being sure to take all necessary medications.

North America is home to some of the best physicians in the world. In the United States, quality dental work, brain scan clinics and world renowned cardiologists operate practices in every corner of the country. In Canada, the medical industry is very diverse, ranging from the holistic medicine practiced in Vancouver to the laser eye surgery in Kelowna. Trust in modern medical opinions to keep your health at its peak.

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Oral Care

good oral careHealth almanacs contain helpful information on the life cycles of human teeth. This information is valuable to the pursuit of good oral hygiene and health. We all know there are many problems that improper care for teeth can lead to, and applying the dental care information found in a health almanac can stop a number of problems before they begin, such as:

  • Teeth are made of calcium and enamel. The calcium is the hard bone material of teeth, and enamel is the outer layer of tissue that protects the tooth. We understand how to keep calcium levels high in order to strengthen teeth, but we are still learning how enamel works and how it might be replaced once it is lost.
  • Several foods that are high in calcium and thus good for your teeth are kale, broccoli, milk and yogurt. Keeping your calcium intake high will strengthen teeth against age and decay.
  • Several foods that are bad for your teeth are red wine due to its acidity, ice when it is chewed because it makes teeth brittle, anything containing white processed sugar and anything containing white flour.
  • The best method of caring for your teeth is using an electric tooth brush, or just being diligent about moving a manual toothbrush in proper circular motions around your teeth and your gums. It is good to do this at least twice daily, an hour after meals, followed by flossing and a swish of mouthwash.

There is a great deal you can do to care for your teeth on your own, but nothing replaces the necessary services of a quality dentist. Dentists and oral hygienists have the tools and the knowledge to prevent tooth decay, gingivitis and other tooth diseases. The cleanings and cavity prevention that the dentist contributes to are necessary to the health of your teeth. In Canada, the dental industry is one of the best in the world, and whether you require a dentist in the Okanagan Valley, Montreal or Toronto, you will not be disappointed by what is available to you.

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Exercise and Fitness

physical activity and exerciseExercise and physical activity have been long known to play a large role in human health and wellness. We evolved as a species to be physically active so now our bodily health depends on physical activity. There is not one bodily system, from the cardiovascular system to the respiratory system to the nervous system, that does not benefit from exercise. According to health almanacs, exercise is the best way to prevent unwanted symptoms of aging.

Exercising for cardiovascular health is extremely important, especially considering that heart disease is the number one killer of adults in North America. Heart disease weakens the heart and causes heart attack or cardiac arrest, which many do not survive. Exercise prevents heart disease by reducing the likelihood of blood clots and keeping blood circulating and oxygenated. It also helps to keep the heart strong and keep its rhythm regular.

Physical activity is also extremely important for weight management. Another silent killer in North America is obesity, being one of the most overweight regions in the world. Weight has to be regulated largely by managing food intake and practicing portion control, but working out regularly is another vital way of maintaining a healthy weight. When we are physically active, we burn the calories we consume through our meals. A person may eat incredibly healthy foods in reasonable portions, but if they never exercise, they may remain overweight. The human balance between food consumption and exercise is vital to our health.

As far as keeping our bodies physically fit, exercise is important in the weight management sense and in the maintaining mobility sense. Muscles, bones and joints all need regular exercise in order to keep functioning properly. Muscles become weak, bones become brittle and joints become stiff when they are unused. Maintaining a regular exercise routine keeps muscles tough, hardy and capable of doing most of the work that the body exerts. Bones will stay strong and will not deteriorate so long as exercise is maintained. And joints will stay padded and lubricated with exercise as long as it is routine.

Diet and Nutrition

nutrition and dietRecent health almanacs contain a wealth of information on how our diet and nutrition play a major role in our health and wellness. The adage “You are what you eat” is actually quite correct, when applied literally to our physical health. The food items we consume have a profound impact on our chemical make-up, which constitutes our physical matter. When food is consumed in a healthy way, our body chemistry is healthy. When food is consumed in an unhealthy way, our body chemistry is unhealthy. Keeping certain guidelines in mind about our food consumption is very important to our health.

Firstly, it is beneficial to think of food as either medicinal or toxic rather than just being something you put in your mouth. There are very few foods that are neutral in nutrition. Most foods are a mix of good and bad chemical elements, and it is up to us to determine which are the most nutritious and which are the least. It starts by philosophically changing the way we look at food. In order to make food available to earth’s massive human population, we have resorted to creating and eating unnatural, processed foods rather than the ones we have been eating for tens of thousands of years. We also consume addictive things in excess, such as alcohol and fatty foods, which is a form of substance abuse. We must return to a more natural, plant based diet that resembles the one we evolved to consume.

It is also critically important to think about how much of any given substance we consume. Portion control is one of the biggest contributors to obesity, stroke and heart disease in North America. Our portion control problems are severe in schools, restaurants, cafeterias and at home. If you are consuming more calories than you are burning through exercise, you will become overweight. It is not a sustainable way of eating. Rather than eating a small number of over-sized portions in a day, nutritionists are saying it is better to eat approximately six small meals in a day, which more closely resembles how we evolved to eat.