No time to read? No problem. The Harmonious Mind provides an audio version, so Tanya reads the article to you.
The Harmonious Mind is a bite-sized podcast where each episode offers practical insights – rooted in mindfulness & brain science – to help you reduce stress, shift perspective, and strengthen your mental health.
This is an ideal prescription for people who want steadier thoughts, calmer emotions, and a more balanced nervous system.
In this episode, I share some raw truth around my struggles and setbacks with the traditional 12-step programs of recovery.
Now that I’m finally recovered, I love to share my own 12-step program that helps me maintain better mental health.
I’m finally recovered from drug and alcohol addictions and celebrating 6 years of continued freedom this month! I’m thankful I lived long enough to finally be ready.
I relapsed almost every year, while attending AA/NA meetings. My relapses were not the fault of the 12-step program. I simply wasn’t ready. I thought I was ready. I said I was ready, every day! I’d wake up and say, “This is the day I’ll finally be free from addictions.” By 6pm, I was meeting my dealer in the liquor-store parking lot.
Here are the 12 steps I practice daily that continue to work for me to maintain Better Mental Health:
- Unclutter Life. If you haven’t worn it or used it in the past year, get rid of it.
- Remove Stress. In the words of Socrates, “He is nearest to God who needs the fewest things.” The less you need to insure, protect, dust, reorganize and move, the better!
- Prioritize Self-Care. Use the airplane analogy to put the oxygen mask on yourself first!
- Take Time for Movement. Give yourself 20 minutes a day to sit/walk quietly and make conscious contact with yourself.
- Be in Nature. There’s nothing more awe-inspiring than nature itself. It’s therapeutic to walk among the trees.
- Remove Critics. Give those who find fault a silent blessing and then remove yourself from their energy field. Your life is simplified enormously when you receive support rather than criticism.
- Invest in your Health. Your body is a sacred temple where you reside for your lifetime. Take time every single day for nourishment & exercise.
- Watch your language! The words we speak are very powerful. Our words feed our thoughts – and our thoughts feed our moods & behaviours. Remember to talk to yourself like you’d talk to a good friend – with kindness, empathy, and compassion.
- Play, Play, Play! You’ll simplify your life and feel inspired if you learn to play rather than work your way through life. Get back in touch with your playful self and take every opportunity to play!
- Slow Down. There is more to life than increasing its speed. Slow your breathing down so that you’re aware of each inhalation and exhalation. Slow down your speech, your inner thoughts, and the frantic pace of everything you do. Take time to hear others. Notice your inclination to interrupt and get the conversation over with. Stop to enjoy the stars and cloud formations in the sky. Lie down under a tree and watch the leaves move in the wind.
- Avoid Anxiety. Our peace & joy can be hijacked by anxiety. Whenever you feel anxious, remember to ask yourself, “What can I control right now?” A good daily motto to recite: What can I do, from where I am, with what I have, today?”
- Avoid debt. If you can’t afford to pay for it in cash, you likely can’t afford it. Let it go and learn to live without it. By going into debt, you’ll just add layers of anxiety & stress to your life.
As always, I’m just a phone call away, whenever you want some help: https://calendly.com.mentalhealthfa
Explore the various services at MHFA~Mental Health Fitness Alliance https://mentalhealthfa.ca/services
Tap into our complimentary digital toolkit for better mental health:
https://mentalhealthfa.ca/toolkit/
May the force be with you,
and remember…
YOU are the force ❤️