10 Tips for a Thankful Sober Holiday
As a person in recovery, I am thankful every day. During the holidays, I am particularly aware of my blessings, and this is Thanksgiving, the time to be loud and proud about the things one is grateful for. I do remember the early days of recovery and how nervous I was that the festivities would […]
Holiday Anxiety – Women Feel It More Than Men
It’s almost the Thanksgiving holiday, a time for gratitude and reminiscence about holidays past, but my memories of Thanksgiving mostly involve my angst-ridden mother bustling about while the rest of the family watched the Macy’s parade and played cards. She used to do this predictable “thing” whenever I would indicate frailty, especially during the holidays. […]
SAD, Sunday Scaries, & Seasonal Anxiety – Best of Excursions
It is that time of year when the air cools, and the invitations to feast, drink, and be merry begin to arrive. Obligations at work, parties, lunch with friends, and family get-togethers are all part of navigating real-life recovery from addiction, eating disorders, and mental health conditions during the holidays. For those new to recovery, […]
The Isolation of Addiction
At Sanford Behavioral Health, we have a case study of a client in the final days of their isolation and active addiction. They were a smoker but not allowed to light up in the house. So, this individual would take a bottle of Jack Daniels to an unheated garage behind their house, sit on a […]
The Parallels Between OCD and Eating Disorders
Last week was OCD Awareness Week, and we sat down with Sanford Comprehensive Treatment for Eating Disorders (Sanford CTED) Lori Kehoe, MA, to discuss the parallels between OCD and eating disorders. Studies show that individuals with eating disorders have 11 – 69% higher rates of OCD, and those with OCD have a 10 – […]
The Psychology Behind the Sunday Blues – Wood TV Interview
Why does weekend frivolity make Sunday afternoons feel so foreboding? The term “Sunday Blues’, or “Sunday Scaries” refers to the anxiety 80% of American workers experience as the weekend winds down on Sunday afternoon. Wood TV 8 noon anchor/reporter Emily Linnert and Sanford Behavioral Health Founder Rae Green, JD, LPC, CAADA, discuss the psychology behind […]
5 Ways to Beat the End of Summer Blues
Michiganders feel a hint of melancholy during the Labor Day holiday each year. This is when we dry dock the boats, close up cabins, and buy back-to-school supplies. It is also the last big blowout of the summer, and picnics, waterskiing, tubing, hiking, and camping excursions abound. But for those in recovery, looking ahead to […]
Seasonal Allergies and Mental Health
For those who live in Michigan, spring is a welcome reprieve from a long, dormant winter. Unfortunately, however, the beautiful buds, flowers, and green leaves come with seasonal allergies for millions of Americans. Sneezing, watery eyes, congestion, and itching can bring a dark cloud to spring’s splendor. The physical signs are apparent, but a […]
Awe Walks for Mental Health
I am a self-described, often awestruck, nature nerd. I have written about the joys of Michigan winter in late February (when most Michiganders are tolerating the dreary days until spring). Other topics I have covered are finding joy during the pandemic, how a $75 blowup kayak can change your life, and the mental health benefit […]
Anxiety & Teen Eating Disorders: WGVU Morning Show
Thanks to Shelley Irwin and the WGVU Morning Show for focusing on the rise in eating disorders in the past year. Shelley interviews Sanford’s Gail Hall about the increase in eating disorders, especially in teens. Eating disorders are a lot about anxiety. And everyone’s anxiety has been ramped up (for good reason) the […]
