Feeling lonely can happen any time of year, but it’s often more apparent during the holiday season. Loneliness is a valid emotion, and it’s fine to acknowledge it. It’s also a feeling you can change with a certain level of acceptance and helpful actions. Alone Vs. Lonely First, it’s important to understand the difference between...Read More

Breaking the Mold While advertising campaigns and the media often portray the holiday season in the same merry ways every year, sometimes people in recovery feel there are more complications than joys during this time. They might find it challenging to talk with relatives about where they are in sobriety, or struggle with a sense...Read More

Food addiction is a genuine concern for many people, and like many process addictions, this compulsive condition is representative of more serious issues that need to be addressed. Highs and Cravings Individuals who struggle with food addiction often eat to excess and crave foods high in artificial sweeteners, fat, salt, sugar, or a combination of...Read More

Sometimes living healthfully requires more dedicated focus. Stressful work issues, family or relationship problems, recurring trauma, financial difficulties, and even the strain of national or world events all throw obstacles onto your wellness path. If you are in recovery and feeling “off”, it’s important to examine why and reach out for support. Potential Relapse Symptoms...Read More

Without a doubt, the majority of us will be happy to leave 2020 behind. As the holidays approach, we might still be navigating the mental, emotional, and physical ramifications we’ve experienced these past few months, as well as adjusting to a new “normal.” But if we keep our expectations flexible, 2020 could bring the best...Read More

Whether you’re newly sober or in long-term recovery, the holiday season can be both full of joy and full of stress. It’s easy to be boxed in by lofty expectations, even with the best intentions. If you use a 12-Step program as one of your sobriety wellness tools, it’s easier to understand why even the...Read More

Okay, if we’re honest, it’s possible that “drama-free” and “holiday season” are simply two ideas that don’t go together! All the proverbial hustle and bustle, traveling, and splitting time between places are common. But lingering aspects of the pandemic, as well as possible loneliness and isolation that sometimes accompanies this time of year, might also...Read More

When you feel more down or blue during the winter, it’s quite possible you’re experiencing the aptly-named SAD: seasonal affective disorder. Even in Southern Arizona, where Cottonwood Tucson is located, many people struggle in winter due to shorter daylight hours, among other factors. What Causes SAD? Although 10 million Americans experience SAD each year, scientists...Read More

Here’s something interesting: research shows that toddlers will help someone in need simply out of an authentic concern for them. Naturally, this gives us all the immediate “feels” because of their wondrous innocence. What do you think life would be like if adults followed this same basic principle? Cooperation: The Foundation of Altruism If we...Read More

As you see the whirlwind of cards, hearts, and candy all around you, it’s easy to think of Valentine’s Day as simply a commercial holiday that doesn’t have meaning. While the commercialization might be true, what about the focus on love? How does it send a message to approve and love ourselves? What Does Self-Love...Read More