What To Tell Yourself When You Take A Pause In 2016, Mindful reported on something revolutionary happening in the Hillsboro Police Department, less than 25 miles from the city of Portland in an article called “To Pause and Protect”. Police Officers were hanging out in a yoga studio, learning mindfulness. Years of stress, trauma, and tension on the job made it obvious that even these trained professionals need some kind of release to help them cope. What their Lieutenant at the time, Richard Goerling, realized was that the build up of stress was starting to come out in negative ways, which could harm not only the officers, but the people of the community officers are sworn to protect. Goerling explained that how police encounters turn out is largely dependent on how well police officers are in mind, body, and spirit. “If I’m not physically well, that creates some problems,” Goerling illustrated. “If I’m not emotionally well, holistically well, I’m not going to regulate my emotions very effectively. I’m not going to listen very effectively. I’m not going to be empathetic.” The answer was mindfulness training, to help police officers find a way to pause before acting. Taking a pause is taking a moment of mindfulness. Between the wellspring of emotion you are facing and the impulse to take action based on the energy of that emotion is a moment where you have the opportunity to pause. Within that moment there is the chance to ask yourself some questions, align yourself with your values, and make decisions about what you want to do next. Pause and contemplate: What is coming up for you in this moment? What emotions are you experiencing? What feelings are you choosing? Do your reactions seem right or do they seem to be coming from somewhere other than this moment? If you could choose to respond in any given way, what would that be? Is it possible for you to redirect your energy and find a different resolution? Pause and consider: Consider the outcomes of this situation if you continue to respond in the direction you’re heading. What do you anticipate the next situation to be- conflict or calm? Consider the options if you choose another route and what you can do to get there. Pause and choose: Recognize that you are in power over your choices and no one person or one situation can truly make you feel or behave a certain way. Choose to destress, to regulate, and to act in a wise, compassionate, empathetic way. Tree House Recovery offers men’s addiction treatment programs in Portland, Oregon. Inspired by the proven techniques of evidence based practices and the magical nature of the Pacific Northwest, our innovative programs transform men’s live by creating sustainable change for a sustainable recovery. Call us today for information on how men are finding freedom from addiction: (855) 969-5181

Bringing Your Family Into Your Recovery

In Recovery, Treatment by Tree House Recovery

Recovery is exciting. You feel better. You look better. You’re living your life better. Everything feels better and you wish, more than anything, more people could feel this way. You have found a path to transformation which works for you. Attending treatment at a program like the one offered through Tree House Recovery in Portland made the process more seamless than you could have imagined. If you can do it, anyone can do it, you feel. Inspired, you set forth to let everyone know that they can change their lives, too.

To your surprise, you’re met with resistance. You may even be met with defensiveness, criticism, or retaliation. Doesn’t everyone want to change their lives, you think? Shouldn’t everyone be thrilled to know there’s a way to be transform?  In an ideal world, the answer is absolutely yes. It is likely at some point, the people who love you felt the same way at some point when you were active in your addiction. Until you were ready to recover, until you were ready to change, you couldn’t see the golden promise of the path laid ahead of you. Just like you had to make the decision to step into the arena of change, your family members do as well.

Your passion for your recovery will not go unnoticed. Additionally, your infectious energy and newly found zest for life will not be ignored by all. Typically, a loved one’s recovery sends a ripple effect through all of the people in their life. How you carry yourself, how you behave, the choices you make- all of these parts of your life embody and exemplify the power of recovery. Though you may not be able to force your family into change, the changes you have made in your life will be evident to them. That can be inspiration all on its own.

How You Can Bring The Family Into Recovery

Asking your family to get sober, go to a treatment program, or enter abstinence isn’t the best approach unless they have a diagnosable issue which needs intervention. There are many ways to incorporate family into your recovery and vice versa. For example, you can create a policy of honesty, teach your family healthy communication skills, and set healthy boundaries. At Tree House, fitness becomes a critical component of men’s lives in recovery. Involve your family in fitness, have family exercise time, and go out for hikes or adventures in nature together. When you reach a recovery milestone, invite your family to celebrate. Show your family gratitude for being part of your life, in addiction and in recovery. Share gratitude lists through a group text, help each other set and achieve goals, and offer a willing ear when they need to talk. Together, the family recovers. Change is always possible.

Call Tree House Recovery today for information on our men’s treatment programs in Portland, Oregon where men are finding freedom from addiction by creating sustainable change and transforming their lives, inside and out: (503) 850-2474