1. Trauma-informed Yoga like SHE RECOVERS Yoga with Taryn Strong. I love that it is designed for beginners and I can participate in any way that feels comfortable for me. It feels safe in the space for me to have emotions come up. “This too shall flow-through” as Taryn would say!
2. Daily journaling has been a game-changer to get rid of the chaos in my brain.
3. Every morning I wake up early before anyone in my house and enjoy the quiet and stillness. I have my coffee, diffuse my favorite oils, read some inspirational literature, journal, meditate and do yoga with Tayrn (pick out from her recordings which yoga practice resonates with me that morning). This helps me direct how I show up for my days with my kids, husband and job.
4. Being of service as a commitment to show up for myself and others. I feel more present when I am doing something [ like being of service ] with integrity.
5. Moving stuck energy in my system and allowing my body to shake off the stickies with Payton Kennedy & SHE RECOVERS Dance. Friday sober dance parties are SO FUN.
6. Spending time in nature and anything nature based really – especially in or around bodies of water. I find it centering. I am able to hear myself think in nature.
7. Essential oils for recovery. Frankincense, lavender, and peppermint are my go-tos. I have learned and experienced so much about the power of essential oils for my mental and emotional well being through Co-Founder of SHE RECOVERS Foundation and Aromatherapist, Taryn Strong.
8. Listening to music… because recovery rocks! I really love the SHE RECOVERS Community Playlist. There are over 10 hours of recovery anthems within this playlist. I listen to it anytime I need to hear some inspiration or a reminder to get out of my head and into my body.
9. Somatic Therapy has helped me immensely. As a trauma survivor, I never knew [ before somatic therapy ] that our bodies store trauma in our nervous system. I felt really shut down and disconnected from myself before starting Somatic Therapy. It helped me get connected with myself, my feelings, and my needs again.
10. Nightly rituals like self-guided facial acupressure. I think we forget how much spending time moisturizing and taking care of the “little things” reconnects us to our bodies.
11. Listening and learning to trust trusting my own inner voice and knowing.
12. I enjoy journalling appreciations and gratitudes nightly so I end my day on a grateful, happy note and listen to a meditation while I fall asleep.These are my little nuggets of care that I do every day to keep my mind, body and spirit aligned and healthy.
13. Art Therapy and creating art in many forms. I have learned to let my story unfold through the process of art, not the completion. As a recovering perfectionist, I find this approach very freeing.
14. Studying holistic wellness modalities (trauma-informed yoga, nutrition, functional medicine, spiritual texts.) When I know better I get to know myself better too.
15. Getting lots of fresh air and spending time digging in the dirt. Having my hands in the dirt helps me feel more connected to myself and the earth.
16. Rest. Like meditation, full-blown naps, or carving time out for guilt-free downtime.
17. Three mile walks almost every day. Walking helps me slow down and be present while still moving my body. It really helps my mood.
18. During the day while I work from home, I diffuse oils, open the windows for sunlight to come in and play my favorite music lightly in the background while I work. This helps me keep my work container as peaceful and calming as possible.
19. Listening to recovery podcasts like the SHE RECOVERS Podcast.
20. Practicing the Sacred Pause — something I learned at a SHE RECOVERS retreat. This has been the tool that has allowed me the spacious grace to observe my old patterns and to practice implementing more skillful responses.
21. Pulling a tarot, oracle, or affirmation card every morning. Spiritual guidance is helpful for me to simplify and stay open throughout the day.
22. Keep an art journal.
23. Connecting with friends with whom I can have private conversations. Having people I can share my authentic self with is so important.
24. Organizing my week according to my priorities and values to make sure I have time for what matters and to feel satisfied.
25. Scheduling in support so I can move out of mom mode. I take 30 minutes where my parents have the baby and I take the time to shower, clean up my area, and relax for just a little.
26. Making batches of turmeric elixir. The process, the taste, the benefits are all so yummy!
27. Making my way through the She Recovers Coaching Designation modules – so excited!
28. Walking my dogs. They are a great reminder of asking for what you need, the benefits of regular movement and play, the importance of sleep, and the healing power of unconditional love.
29. Breathe work like box breathing or guided breath meditation.
30. Drinking lots of water! Our bodies are made up of something like 60% water so making sure I am drinking enough of it surely helps me feel more like myself!
31. Swimming or floating in the lake or ocean. The support of the water helps me relax and it is so cleansing.
32. Floating in a float tank. Have had profound insights while floating!
33. Practicing Tara Brach’s RAIN technique. Helps me find clarity within myself and brings me back to center.
34. Reading recovery memoirs. I can see myself in the stories shared by other recovering women and it reminds me of my own potential and possibilities for healing.
35. Listening to guided meditations like Sarah Blondin’s at SHE RECOVERS in LA or on Insight Timer.
36. I like to connect with myself through my senses, practicing the ‘Green Breath’. I will go for a walk, choosing a sense to explore my environment with. I pay special attention also to my breath. Every breath out an offering, every breath in a receiving. This practice of connecting with nature helps me create a deeper connection with myself.
37. Meditation after lunch to rest, regroup, and relieve stress.
38. Flow writing like the morning pages approach created by Julia Cameron, Author of ‘The Artists Way’. It has helped me rediscover who I am in recovery.
39. Work with a SHE RECOVERS Recovery Coach! My coach helped me realize my own potential and gain the confidence I needed to pursue my passions and make my dreams a reality.
40. Work with a trauma-informed or EMDR therapist.
41. I rely on apps. I like self-care apps like Shine and accountability apps like habit-share. Some of them can be connected to friends so you can keep each other on track.
42. Vocal toning and sound healing tools like binaural beats. I like the sounds and tones that help calm me down and reduce anxiety, but they can be used for all sorts of desired states.
43. Mindful eating and removing moral judgements from food. I am in recovery from orthorexia and by practicing mindfulness around my eating I am able to notice cue’s from my body vs. fixating on “eating perfectly.” It helps slow me down and my food seems to taste better too.
44. Take an Epsom salt bath.
45. I often do a H.A.L.T (Hungry, angry, lonely, tired) inventory before reacting to something or if I need to figure out whether something is an issue in the first place. By keeping myself hydrated, making sure I have eaten, am rested, have spoken with a trusted person, and gotten fresh air / exercise I feel much more centered and prepared to respond to what shows up in my daily life.
46. I practice daily recovery rituals like reading a meditation book when I first wake up and making my bed. These are simple things that I associate now with my recovery so when I do them, I am reminded of my purpose. P.S. I can’t wait for Mama Dawn’s SHE RECOVERS Every Day meditation book to arrive in the mail!
47. Having a welcoming and supportive community that gives me the space to feel safe in my own skin and share my story without judgment. Being a part of SHE RECOVERS gives my nervous system the chance to take a break which allows me to get in touch with my feelings, deeper needs, and what I might need to let go of.
48. Spending time in an infrared sauna is so helpful for my body, mind, and spirit. It gives me the space to be with myself while raising my heart rate and releasing stuck energy from my body. I feel so rejuvenated after a session.
49. Spirituality and energy moving through a daily kundalini yoga practice.
50. Getting enough sleep. I feel so off and disconnected from myself when I don’t. So grateful for Yoga Nidra – it puts me right to sleep.
51. Celebrating recovery milestones through tattoos! Having a permanent reminder of where I came from and what my purpose is has prevented me from relapsing on many occasions.
52. Scheduling unapologetic alone time or taking my lunch break early to tune in to the SHE RECOVERS #MentalHealthMonday Educational Series. I can always catch the replay on the SHE RECOVERS youtube Channel but I find I am more connected and present when I can show up live!
53. Early morning rituals. It doesn’t look exactly the same every morning, and the amount of time might vary, but every morning I meditate in some form; I read and I aim to journal a few pages. Some mornings I can only do a fraction of it, but whatever I can do, I do. It is my time to connect and reflect inward, to listen for what I need to know and understand and to really ground myself for the day.
54. The S.O.B.E.R mindfulness tool. It stands for stop-breathe-obeserve-expand-respond. Gets me to check in with myself and I am able to respond in a more mindful way to others.
55. Gratitude lists. I always can find something, even the littlest thing, to be grateful for. It doesn’t solve my problems or cover up my feelings but helps me to feel hopeful and worthy.
56. Attending a SHE RECOVERS Together Zoom Gathering. Sometimes I just need to share what is on my heart or I hear just the right thing from someone else. These gatherings are a saving grace for me right now.
57. Watching the #MentalHealthMonday series on Youtube. These recovery-focused educational sessions are just what I need to deepen my recovery. I learn something new about myself every time.
58. Using the My Recovery Plan workbook. This framework is helping me better understand myself and what I need on a regular basis to thrive in recovery.
That list is AHHHHH-MAZING!
That’s because the women in our community are amazing! Thank you Elizabeth. ~Dawn~
definitely needed these reminders! Thank you for taking the time to put this together!! i will re-start my journaling tomorrow:)
It is our pleasure. Love that you are going to re-ignite your journalling practice! Thanks for reading and sharing.
I absolutely love the 73 tips. It has given me so many ideas to do to enhance my life and grow in recovery.
Thank you 😊
Thank you so much for sharing your reflections. Deeply grateful you have found some inspiration from this post!
This is such an excellent unit packed with best practices for healing and well being. I tried the making sound/voice experience and I loved it! There are so many more to check out! The list is incredible as well and I should have it posted in my home to look at whenever I need reminding of all the good ways to take care of my soul and being!