getting clean

More tips for getting and staying clean this holiday

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As mentioned in the last article, a host of natural remedies helped me get clean.

Exercise. Yoga. Meditation.

But when that wasn’t enough to help me calm down at night, I started trolling the holistic aisle at my local grocer. And I wasn’t disappointed. From Tulsi rose tea with holy basil to magnesium citrate supplements, I found there was a whole world of non habit forming, feel-better stuff I could use to counter the icky feelings making me crave the wrong thing in the first place. Also, I’d started my vegan journey pretty soon into recovery as well. Now, I’m def not saying that you need to be vegan. (I know; that runs counter to what you’d hear most vegans say.) But what I am saying is this: whatever it is you eat, make sure you’re eating clean and non-processed. Because I can’t tell you how many’ve my mood swings and depressive episodes resolved by finally getting a healthy balance of the foods I’d been missing out on – and finally annihilating the high sugar body holocaust that was my diet before. Sometimes (often, actually) it’s not about adding a drug of any kind; it’s about subtracting something bad we don’t need.


(Sometimes just the warmth from a cup of tea’s all the comfort you need.)

And then, once I took care of myself, I could finally do it. I could finally go out and connect with others. My relationships improved infinite-fold once my “me” was sorted out. And I can’t tell you enough how much we need this. Phone a friend. Grab coffee. Serve the homeless. Do something that gets you back in touch with your fellow species members – just make sure none’ve ‘em are the ones you used to get lit with. ‘cause if you do, that’s a slope you’d better have your X-mas sled ready to ride into relapse on.

And what about when you’re all alone? Stay engaged. For me, evenings alone are when I’d find something belly burning-ly funny. Russell Brand (the man who personally urged me into recovery) is one’ve the funniest dudes I know. Try his “Messiah Complex” standup on for size.

Or, better yet, slay two avians with one stone to keep from getting stoned; you can get your laughs and sober inspiration in one place with his new book, “Recovery”. Not into Russ? That’s okay. (I’ll try to forgive you.) Just find something that’s sure to make you lose yourself in levity. From Louis C.K. to old school George Carlin, something’s bound to un-frown your brain.


(Just remember to moderate any and all the things you do. ’cause new fixations can easily lead into older ones.)

So, if you’re set on giving yourself the gift of sobriety this holiday, try out these tips.

And if you’ve been clean for a while, give us a gift too – and comment your own below.

Tips for getting and staying clean this holiday

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Trying to stay sober this holiday?

If your family’s anything like mine, that might be tough.

Ah, yes. The ol’ holiday triggers. Now, some might say I’m still a baby with my sobriety. Sure, I’ve only got four years under my belt. But I’d say I’m doing pretty well for someone who used to look at Valium as not just a crutch – but a social organ she vitally required to survive any sort’ve interaction with fellow species members. And how’d I do it? Just like they say – one second, one breath, one day, one craving, and one calamity – at a time. I listened to people smarter than I am. I did what they did. And, seeing as I did all of that (and got – and stayed – sober) right around the holiday time frame, I’m perfectly equipped to offer a few tips on what got me through during my first clean holiday. And those things’ve continued to serve me to this day.

The first thing I did?

Exercise. When? When I didn’t wanna go to meetings. When my skin felt like it was falling off. When every muscle felt agitated. When the “kicky legs” set in. During any and all’ve that, the elliptical became my best friend. Because I was suffering from a bad back I’d done nothing to help improve (save for popping pharmaceuticals), this low impact cardio was all I could tolerate. But it was perfect. Being able to sweat out the toxins was one reason. The endorphins were another. But, also, I on a psychological level, it also allowed me to feel in control of something when I felt like I’d lost the oars in my life canoe.


(Speaking of oars, rowing’s a great exercise too… Find the right workout for *you*)

And when my head was restless, but my body – not?

That’s when I found yoga and meditation.

Yoga came first. If you’re new to getting clean, you might be able to appreciate why. Ever notice how much simpler it is to move around… than to sit in silence with a not so silent mind? Trying to delve straight away into meditation was downright painful. I’d fidget at the slightest uncomfortable thought, memory, or sensation. That’s why yoga became an ideal segue into it. I’d formerly thought the whole thing was B.S. But, once I gave it a solid try, I came to realize something pretty awesome about my obstinate thoughts – I could make peace with each when they’d arise – in a very physical way. It’s like what that cognitive shaman, Tony Robbins, always says – about how motion generates emotion. The thing is, unlike other forms of activity, yoga helps you focus on facing ‘em down like a warrior – versus running like a li’l bish from them.

So, I did that.

And then, when I’d made peace with them enough to sit with my silent mind, I started doing exactly that. On the regular. Whether it was 5 minutes or 20, I’d take some time each day to just focus, with closed eyes, on nada but my breath. Sounds dumb and easy, right? Right. I thought so, too. But guess what? We’re both wrong. Because evidence based, peer reviewed research shows that both your brain and body can undergo physical (not just woo-woo in-your-belief-system) changes from a simple meditative practice done daily. That’s half of how my back pain began to improve. And it’s 100% of how I came to be able to deal with people and life triggers alike without reminiscing about my pill caddy.

That said, when I did reach for something external, it was in the holistic tea aisle.

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