changing lives changing families changing futures sticking with recoveryOne thing we all have in common right now is stress. Losing our jobs, losing our routines, and the uncertainty of the days ahead, everyone’s life has been changed by the effects of COVID-19. And for some, this isn’t just stress…they are relapse triggers.Isolation, losing the support of our regular meetings, boredom, extended …

changing lives changing families changing futures focus on spiritualityFeeling the StressDuring times of uncertainty and anxiety, we tend to focus on meeting our physical needs. We worry about having adequate food, water, and toilet paper. We see lines outside of stores, daily government updates and ever growing numbers of disease. All of these can create a sense of uneasiness and disorganization.What’s …

changing lives changing families changing futures start with 5Turn on the TV, get on social media, talk to your friends and in no time at all you’ll start to hear about stress — how stressed everyone is, how to relieve stress, and, if you’ve been in any of our groups, the effects stress can have on our bodies. But where do …

changing lives changing families changing futures take a breathFamily…the people you love the most and the people that drive you crazy the quickest. These days we are (hopefully) all staying home as much as possible. It’s easy to get frustrated with the people you love. Caretaking can be draining, especially if you are suddenly finding yourself at home with your kids …

changing lives changing families changing futures Sleep helpsSometimes when we’re dealing with stress and change we find it hard to sleep. With having to stay home as a result of this virus, we may have less to do… or significantly more to do if we have younger ones at home because childcare and schools are closed. This can be very difficult! …

 helping kids through scary timesStart the conversation…Sometimes children don’t know how to talk about their feelings or may not want to upset their parents. They may not fully understand what’s happening or the words to describe their thoughts. As adults it’s important to talk with them instead of waiting for them to talk to us. Ask what they know, then …