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<site xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">180517399</site>	<item>
		<title>Self care is&#8230;</title>
		<link>https://www.specializedtherapy.com/self-care-is/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[JILL MACKEY]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Tue, 23 Aug 2022 19:51:19 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[ACOA]]></category>
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		<category><![CDATA[adjusting]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety]]></category>
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					<description><![CDATA[<p>We've all heard the term 'self care' thrown around but most people do not know exactly what it is. During the pandemic, Most individuals found that taking care of themselves was extremely difficult which was/is very understandable. During session, Whenever this term is discussed, a significant amount of people feel it is something 'extra' or  [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/self-care-is/">Self care is&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>We&#8217;ve all heard the term &#8216;self care&#8217; thrown around but most people do not know exactly what it is. During the pandemic, Most individuals found that taking care of themselves was extremely difficult which was/is very understandable. During session, Whenever this term is discussed, a significant amount of people feel it is something &#8216;extra&#8217; or something they don&#8217;t have time for which is very unfortunate and starts us down a path of dysfunctional cycles. Self care is not just taking the time to give yourself a bubble bath or go away on a girls trip/boys weekend. Self care is the day to day to routine that is essential to our mental health. Self care includes sleep hygiene, structure/routine, exercising, food/nutrition, therapy, walking, praying, meditating, yoga, journaling, etc. When this is discussed in therapy, A lot of client&#8217;s feel they are too tired to do this or it just another thing on the list.</p>
<p>Well.. I&#8217;m here to tell you that if you don&#8217;t take care of yourself, things will only get harder and more difficult. The process is essential to our overall wellbeing and the overall wellbeing of our relationships, work, etc. Though it is helpful anytime, Self care works much better when it is proactive rather than reactive. The 45 minute therapy session each week is great start but it is equally important to make sure you are follow through on the changes in your daily life in the other 23 hours out of the day.</p>
<p>How to make time for self care:</p>
<ol>
<li>Prioritize yourself &amp; set a schedule</li>
<li>Start with smaller increments of time 10-15 minutes</li>
<li>Start with smaller, more managable goals</li>
<li>Pick friends who will help hold you accountable</li>
<li>Journal/track changes</li>
</ol>
<p>If you or someone you know is struggling with mental health and wondering how to take care of oneself properly, please reach out today. We look forward to helping you!</p>
<p>Make an appointment: <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/make-an-appointment/">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/make-an-appointment/</a></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/self-care-is/">Self care is…</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/self-care-is/">Self care is&#8230;</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">18799</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>How can I support my loved one&#8217;s recovery?</title>
		<link>https://www.specializedtherapy.com/how-can-i-support-my-loved-ones-recovery/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[JILL MACKEY]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 16 Jul 2021 17:54:55 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[12 step program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ACOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addictions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Trauma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Substance Abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/?p=17928</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>"How can I support my loved one's recovery?" is a question often asked by many people. Do you or someone you know have a partner or loved one who recently received help for their struggle with substance use? That's fantastic! However, that is only the first step in the process. Many people think when someone  [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/how-can-i-support-my-loved-ones-recovery/">How can I support my loved one&#8217;s recovery?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/confd.jpg"><img fetchpriority="high" decoding="async" class="wp-image-17621 size-full aligncenter" src="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/04/confd.jpg" alt="How can I support my loved one's recovery?" width="275" height="183" /></a></p>
<p>&#8220;How can I support my loved one&#8217;s recovery?&#8221; is a question often asked by many people. Do you or someone you know have a partner or loved one who recently received help for their struggle with substance use? That&#8217;s fantastic! However, that is only the first step in the process. Many people think when someone enters a treatment center, whether that be Detox, Rehab, <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/post-iop-program/">IOP</a>, or Outpatient that eventually their addiction will be &#8216;cured&#8217;, not realizing the lifelong effects of Addiction and subsequent recovery. Much like other &#8216;diseases&#8217;, Addiction is progressive &amp; can be fatal if it is not treated and monitored. It impacts the person emotionally, physically, psychologically &amp; mentally, and socially, so much so that it is often described as a &#8216;family disease&#8217;. In addition to the significant amount of work the substance user will have to put in to get &amp; maintain sobriety, The &#8216;family disease&#8217; implies that it affects everyone &amp; their quality of life, requiring support &amp; changes on the part of everyone in relation to the substance user.</p>
<p>Family members often find this frustrating because they have already been put out &amp; impacted by their loved one&#8217;s using and now they have to make changes too?! Although it seems unfair, it is true if they want their partner &amp; or loved one&#8217;s to have the best chance of prolonged abstinence. So, where are the family members supposed to begin? This brings me to the main question people ask, &#8220;How can I support my loved one&#8217;s recovery?&#8221;</p>
<p>Here are some ways to provide support: </p>
<ol>
<li>Learn about the disease of addiction, trauma, etc. There is a lot of &#8216;<a href="https://www.portstluciehospitalinc.com/quit-lit-the-best-sobriety-books-to-help-you-quit-drinking-in-2021/">quit lit</a>&#8216; (books, websites, youtube videos, etc)</li>
<li>Support their attendance at meetings &amp; therapy and the time commitment they will have to make to their recovery process </li>
<li>Consider attending your own support group (Alanon, Naranon, CODA) &amp; therapy to process your own emotions associated with their recovery and to learn about codependency/enabling patterns</li>
<li>Inquire about their boundaries in social situations, ie: How do they feel about you drinking? Are they telling people about their recovery?</li>
<li>Discuss accountability &amp; how you two will manage relapses if they happen</li>
<li>Ask how they want to celebrate recovery anniversaries &amp; if they would like you to participate</li>
<li>Understand it is a lifelong process &amp; that they will have cravings and triggers</li>
</ol>
<p>If you&#8217;ve identified with anything you&#8217;ve read in this blog &amp; would like additional support, please reach out for help today at 1-201-488-6678 or visiting <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/">specializedtherapy.com</a>. We look forward to hearing from you! </p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/how-can-i-support-my-loved-ones-recovery/">How can I support my loved one’s recovery?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/how-can-i-support-my-loved-ones-recovery/">How can I support my loved one&#8217;s recovery?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">17928</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>BPA:  More than just plastic, Its a hormone too!</title>
		<link>https://www.specializedtherapy.com/bpa-chemical-exposure/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Perry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 26 Mar 2021 01:30:51 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[ACOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Trauma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anxiety Disorder]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counseling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Creative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Depression]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mental Illness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Substance Abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/?p=17437</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Part 3 of 3: Raising awareness: the dangerous truth behind the toxins present in our food supply BPA: a chemical that plays a role in more than just plastic, but a hormone too! By now, we’ve all heard about BPA, right? If not, you’re in the right place! In this article, you’ll learn about the  [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/bpa-chemical-exposure/">BPA:  More than just plastic, Its a hormone too!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h4><strong><em>Part 3 of 3: Raising awareness: the dangerous truth behind the toxins present in our food supply</em></strong></h4>
<p>BPA: a chemical that plays a role in more than just plastic, but a hormone too!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BPA-BOTTLES.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-17438 aligncenter" src="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BPA-BOTTLES-300x200.jpg" alt="BPA can be found in a wide variety of plastic products" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BPA-BOTTLES-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BPA-BOTTLES-500x334.jpg 500w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BPA-BOTTLES-700x467.jpg 700w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BPA-BOTTLES-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/BPA-BOTTLES.jpg 1000w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p>
<p>By now, we’ve all heard about BPA, right? If not, you’re in the right place! In this article, you’ll learn about the history of BPA as a toxin, why it proposes a threat to you and your family’s health, and strategies on how to reduce your exposure.</p>
<p>BPA is an abbreviation for bisphenol A- a chemical used to make hard plastics that are used in many things, from plastic bottles to Tupperware containers to plastic toys to the lining of food and beverage cans. It’s even in thermal paper receipts! BPA permeates our industrialized world, food supply, and modern-day lifestyle.</p>
<p>BPA was first synthesized by chemists 130 years ago. It wasn’t until the 1930s that scientists discovered it had estrogen activity in the body (1). Upon this discovery, BPA was intended to be used as an estrogen replacement drug until a more potent synthetic hormone was invented (1). However, BPA didn’t go anywhere… it found its new role in the future of plastics (1). BPA was first used in the epoxy lining of cans, metal piping, adhesives for flooring and sealing teeth and eventually made its way into plastics in the late 1950s.</p>
<p>In 1958 the FDA passed the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetics Act in an attempt to regulate chemicals added to packaged foods. Since BPA was only thought to make its way into food and beverages through leaching of epoxy resin from the lining in cans and showed no indication of being harmful to humans, there was no regulation of BPA in our food supply until 1988.</p>
<p>In 1993 BPA’s estrogenic activity was brought back into the limelight. For the first time, it was proposed as a threat to human health as an endocrine disruptor, meaning it disrupts normal hormonal function, processing, and transmission in the body. Throughout the late 1990s and early 2000s plastic became a political battle with industry lobbyists trying their best to bury the evidence that BPA was, in fact, harmful to human health. By 2005 there were 115 studies on BPA exposure and 90% of them found dangerous health effects of BPA, especially in infants and children. Not surprisingly, the 10% of studies that didn’t find an effect were funded by the plastic industry (2). Major concerns were expressed regarding findings of impaired fetal prostate and mammary gland development, disruption of chromosome alignment in developing eggs, immune system impairment, as well as metabolic and neurological abnormalities (1,2).</p>
<p>Fast forward to 2008 and The Center for the Evaluation of Risks to Human Reproduction released a final report on BPA stating that “the possibility that bisphenol A may alter human development cannot be dismissed”, and that there is “some concern for the effects on the brain, behavior, and prostate gland in fetuses, infants, and children at current human exposure to BPA” (3). Following this report, six of the major baby bottle producers announced the removal of BPA from their products; and in 2012 the FDA finally banned the use of BPA in baby bottles, sippy cups, and epoxy resin in infant formula packaging (4).</p>
<p>However, this chemical is still present and allowed in teethers and children’s play toys. Despite the growing evidence that BPA is harmful in young children, the Toy Association still considers it safe and allows it to be in toys and game products (5).</p>
<p>Today, hundreds of research studies show a relationship between BPA and an increased risk for behavioral disorders like ADHD, anxiety, depression, and aggression in children (6,7).</p>
<p>What’s more, is that the BPA levels originally recognized as safe for human ingestion by the FDA may not be as safe as originally intended. BPA has shown to interact with and bind to thyroid hormone receptors and could play a role in autoimmune thyroid disease (8). Furthermore, BPA has shown to be an obesogenic toxin and is linked to diabetes, weight gain, heart disease, liver inflammation, cancer, and infertility. Disturbingly, a nationwide study found that 89% of individuals ages 6 years and older had detectable levels of BPA in their urine (9).</p>
<p><strong>Here are some actions you can take to minimize your family’s and your own BPA exposure:</strong></p>
<ol>
<li>Only purchase baby toys, canned foods (soup, soda, sparkling water, beans, vegetable cans), and Tupperware containers that say “BPA-free” on the label.</li>
<li>Drink from a reusable stainless steel or glass water bottle instead of plastic ones (this is also better for the environment, so it’s a win-win).</li>
<li>Don’t microwave leftovers in plastic containers, BPA and other plasticizers (like phthalates) can leak into your food. Instead, transfer the contents to a glass or ceramic bowl or heat on a stovetop if possible.</li>
<li>Skip the receipt! This will do you and your cashier a favor for reducing toxic BPA (and its cousin BPS) exposure from thermal receipt paper. Simply touching receipts (also boarding passes, tickets) with your hands is enough to absorb it through the skin. Ask for an emailed or text receipt instead! If you need to handle a receipt, wash your hands with soap and water as soon as possible!</li>
</ol>
<p>These are actions you can take to reduce your BPA exposure! If you have any questions on the impact this chemical has on you or your child’s health, click here and submit a question to our “Ask a Therapist” column and we can answer it in our next newsletter!</p>
<p>These are actions you can take to reduce your BPA exposure right now! If you have any questions on the impact this chemical has on you or your child’s health, <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/ask-a-therapist/">click here</a> and submit a question to our “Ask a Therapist” column and we can answer it in our next newsletter!</p>
<p>References:</p>
<ol>
<li>Vogel SA. The politics of plastics: the making and unmaking of bisphenol a &#8220;safety&#8221;. <em>Am J Public Health</em>. 2009;99 Suppl 3(Suppl 3):S559-S566. doi:10.2105/AJPH.2008.159228</li>
<li>vom Saal FS, Hughes C. An extensive new literature concerning low-dose effects of bisphenol A shows the need for a new risk assessment. <em>Environ Health Perspect</em>. 2005;113(8):926-933. doi:10.1289/ehp.7713</li>
<li>Shelby MD. NTP-CERHR monograph on the potential human reproductive and developmental effects of bisphenol A. <em>NTP CERHR MON</em>. 2008;(22):.</li>
<li>https://www.fda.gov/food/food-additives-petitions/bisphenol-bpa-use-food-contact-application</li>
<li><a href="https://www.toyassociation.org/PressRoom2/IndustryStatements/statement-on-bisphenol-a.aspx#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20specifically%20chosen,items%20has%20been%20phased%20out">https://www.toyassociation.org/PressRoom2/IndustryStatements/statement-on-bisphenol-a.aspx#:~:text=It%20has%20been%20specifically%20chosen,items%20has%20been%20phased%20out</a>.</li>
<li>Li Y, Zhang H, Kuang H, et al. Relationship between bisphenol A exposure and attention-deficit/ hyperactivity disorder: A case-control study for primary school children in Guangzhou, China. <em>Environ Pollut</em>. 2018;235:141-149. doi:10.1016/j.envpol.2017.12.056</li>
<li>Ejaredar M, Lee Y, Roberts DJ, Sauve R, Dewey D. Bisphenol A exposure and children&#8217;s behavior: A systematic review. <em>J Expo Sci Environ Epidemiol</em>. 2017;27(2):175-183. doi:10.1038/jes.2016.8</li>
<li>Eschler DC, Hasham A, Tomer Y. Cutting edge: the etiology of autoimmune thyroid diseases. <em>Clin Rev Allergy Immunol</em>. 2011;41(2):190-197. doi:10.1007/s12016-010-8245-8</li>
<li>Lakind, J.S., and D.Q. Naiman. 2008. Bisphenol A (BPA) daily intakes in the United States: estimates from the 2003-2004 NHANES urinary BPA data. Journal of Exposure Science and Environmental Epidemiology 18 (6):608-15.</li>
</ol>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/bpa-chemical-exposure/">BPA:  More than just plastic, Its a hormone too!</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/bpa-chemical-exposure/">BPA:  More than just plastic, Its a hormone too!</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">17437</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Toxic Pesticides in Children&#8217;s Breakfast Cereal !</title>
		<link>https://www.specializedtherapy.com/toxic-pesticides/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Charles Perry]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 19 Mar 2021 01:30:54 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[ACOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Trauma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anxiety Disorder]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Battles]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Benefits]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counseling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Creative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Depression]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Eating]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Mental Illness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Substance Abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/?p=17442</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Part 2 of 3: Raising awareness: the dangerous truth behind the toxins present in our food supply Your child’s favorite breakfast cereal could contain toxic pesticides! Did you know that oats, rice, and wheat are major but lesser-known, sources of toxic pesticides? The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that at least half of our  [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/toxic-pesticides/">Toxic Pesticides in Children&#8217;s Breakfast Cereal !</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><strong><em>Part 2 of 3: Raising awareness: the dangerous truth behind the toxins present in our food supply</em></strong></p>
<p>Your child’s favorite breakfast cereal could contain toxic pesticides!</p>
<p><a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cereal-and-milk-scaled.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-17444 aligncenter" src="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cereal-and-milk-300x200.jpg" alt="Your child’s favorite breakfast cereal could contain toxic pesticides!" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cereal-and-milk-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cereal-and-milk-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cereal-and-milk-scaled-700x467.jpg 700w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cereal-and-milk-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cereal-and-milk-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2021/03/cereal-and-milk-1536x1024.jpg 1536w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p>
<p>Did you know that oats, rice, and wheat are major but lesser-known, sources of toxic pesticides?</p>
<p>The USDA Dietary Guidelines for Americans recommends that at least half of our dietary intake of grains be from whole grains as a part of a healthy diet<sup>1</sup>. However, less than 5% of Americans meet the recommended dietary intake for whole grains (≥ 3 oz/day)<sup>1</sup>. Contrarily, over 95% of Americans meet the recommended dietary intake of refined grains (≤ 3 oz/day)<sup>1</sup> mostly in the form of packaged and processed foods (i.e., white bread, white rice, cereal, pasta, cookies, cakes, bagels, doughnuts, crackers, chips). Refined grains are stripped of their outer bran and germ layers during manufacturing- the parts of the grain that contain the majority of its nutrients (fiber, vitamins, and minerals)- leaving behind the nutrient-depleted endosperm. This process makes refined grains far less nutritious than whole grains.</p>
<p>The Standard American Diet is heavily laden with processed foods made up of refined grains, sugar, salt, and fat. This combination of nutrient-poor, calorically dense ingredients may be why processed food consumption has been linked to the obesity epidemic<sup>2</sup> and an increased risk for other non-communicable diseases like diabetes, cancer, heart disease, and depression<sup>3</sup>.</p>
<p>Despite the USDA’s attempts to shift American plates to contain more whole grains, there is still nationwide overconsumption of refined grains. Why? Perhaps it’s due to the addicting nature of processed foods? Or that refined grains are cheaper and more accessible than whole grains? Or maybe it comes down to an education issue with less than half of low-income adults able to correctly identify whole grains from refined grains<sup>4</sup>.</p>
<p>In any case, processed food consumption keeps the demand for grains high. So high that the government pays farmers extra to grow wheat, corn, soy, rice, and oats in order to keep up with the demands of the market<sup>2</sup>. As a result, monocropping, or only growing one crop at a time without rotation, has become a popular agricultural practice<sup>2</sup>. Monocropping requires heavy pesticide application to kill any unwanted weeds or insects that may potentially contaminate crops, resulting in a streamlining of harvests<sup>2</sup>.</p>
<p>Cue RoundUp, the most widely used pesticide in U.S. agriculture with 1.1 billion pounds applied annually<sup>5</sup>. The active component of Roundup, glyphosate, targets the shikimate pathway of weeds, insects, and fungi, the pathway responsible for their growth, abolishing them on the spot. Glyphosate is a water-soluble chemical that has made its way into our soil, food, air, and water supply. In 2015, the World Health Organization classified glyphosate as a neurotoxin, teratogen (a substance that may cause birth defects), and a “probable human carcinogen”<sup>6</sup>. Despite this, the EPA states glyphosate as having low toxicity for humans<sup>7</sup> and U.S. regulators allow an acceptable daily intake of 1.75 mg/kg of body weight per day compared to the European Union which only allows 0.3 mg/kg of body weight per day<sup>8</sup>.</p>
<p>Glyphosate is sprayed directly on wheat and oats before harvesting to kill the crop and dry it out sooner than if the plant were to have died naturally<sup>9</sup>. In 2018, the Environmental Working Group tested more than a dozen brands of wheat and oat-based cereal products and found most samples exceeded the upper limit of “safe” glyphosate levels set by the EPA<sup>9</sup>. This is of special concern for 1- to 2-year-old children since they’re smaller and tend to consume oat and wheat-based cereal products often. The worst offenders were Quaker Old-Fashioned Oats (930 ppb), Quaker Oats Dinosaur Eggs (700 ppb), Cheerios Toasted Whole Grain Oat Cereal (497 ppb), and Lucky Charms (400 ppb)<sup>9</sup>.</p>
<p>Glyphosate has also been linked to disruption of the gut microbiome, autism, ADHD, birth defects, celiac disease, diabetes, depression, cancer, Parkinson&#8217;s, Alzheimer&#8217;s, dementia, obesity, and leaky gut<sup>10</sup>.  This proposes the question, is it the consumption of ultra-processed foods contributing to the exponential rise in chronic, non-communicable disease? Or is it the presence of glyphosate on our grains and in our food supply that we are encouraged to eat as a part of a <em>healthy </em>diet?</p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p>Regardless, to limit your and your children’s exposure to glyphosate opt for organic options and skip the non-organic packaged wheat, corn, soy, and oat-based cereal and processed food products! This way you can avoid toxic pesticides.</p>
<p>For more information on Toxic Pesticides, please visit us at <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/"> Specialized Therapy Associates</a> or call 201-488-6678 to book an appointment.</p>
<p>Tune into our next newsletter for part 3 of <strong><em>“Raising awareness: the dangerous truth behind the toxins present in our food supply”.</em></strong></p>
<p>References:</p>
<ol>
<li>U.S. Department of Agriculture and U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Dietary Guidelines for Americans, 2020-2025. 9th Edition. December 2020. Available at DietaryGuidelines.gov.</li>
<li>Franck C, Grandi SM, Eisenberg MJ. Agricultural subsidies and the American obesity epidemic. <em>Am J Prev Med</em>. 2013;45(3):327-333. doi:10.1016/j.amepre.2013.04.010</li>
<li>Lane MM, Davis JA, Beattie S, et al. Ultraprocessed food and chronic non-communicable diseases: A systematic review and meta-analysis of 43 observational studies <div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-1 fusion-flex-container hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-overflow:visible;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;" ><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap" style="width:calc( 100% + 0px ) !important;max-width:calc( 100% + 0px ) !important;margin-left: calc(-0px / 2 );margin-right: calc(-0px / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-0 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-flex-start fusion-column-no-min-height" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:0px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:0px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:0px;--awb-spacing-left-small:0px;"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column">[published online ahead of print, 2020 Nov 9]. <em>Obes Rev</em>. 2020;10.1111/obr.13146. doi:10.1111/obr.13146</li>
<li>Molika Chea, Amy R Mobley, Factors Associated with Identification and Consumption of Whole-Grain Foods in a Low-Income Population, <em>Current Developments in Nutrition</em>, Volume 3, Issue 7, July 2019, nzz064, <a href="https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzz064">https://doi.org/10.1093/cdn/nzz064</a></li>
<li>Atwood, Donald, and Paisley-Jones, Claire. “Pesticides Industry Sales and Usage: 2008-2012 Market Estimates.” Environmental Protection Agency, 2017. Retrieved May 29, 2019, from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/2017-01/documents/pesticides-industry-sales-usage-2016_0.pdf</li>
<li>https://www.who.int/foodsafety/faq/en/</li>
<li><a href="https://www.fda.gov/food/pesticides/questions-and-answers-glyphosate#:~:text=Has%20the%20EPA%20established%20tolerances,from%200.1%20to%20310%20ppm">https://www.fda.gov/food/pesticides/questions-and-answers-glyphosate#:~:text=Has%20the%20EPA%20established%20tolerances,from%200.1%20to%20310%20ppm</a>.</li>
<li><a href="https://oehha.ca.gov/media/dockets/8594/10069-dave_murphy_food_democracy_now/fdn_glyphosate_foodtesting_report_p2016_002a_0.pdf">https://oehha.ca.gov/media/dockets/8594/10069-dave_murphy_food_democracy_now/fdn_glyphosate_foodtesting_report_p2016_002a_0.pdf</a></li>
</ol>
<ol start="9">
<li><a href="https://www.ewg.org/childrenshealth/glyphosateincereal/#.W3Q-B9hKjEY">https://www.ewg.org/childrenshealth/glyphosateincereal/#.W3Q-B9hKjEY</a></li>
<li><a href="https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/nepa/102900_FSPLT3_4047514.pdf">https://www.fs.usda.gov/nfs/11558/www/nepa/102900_FSPLT3_4047514.pdf</a></li>
</ol>
</div></div></div></div></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/toxic-pesticides/">Toxic Pesticides in Children’s Breakfast Cereal !</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/toxic-pesticides/">Toxic Pesticides in Children&#8217;s Breakfast Cereal !</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">17442</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Wellness: What Does It Look Like?</title>
		<link>https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wellness-what-does-it-look-like/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Krystina Pazoga]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 05 Mar 2021 17:10:38 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[ACOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Trauma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Anxiety Disorder]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/?p=17407</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Often when people search for wellness they fixate on one or two, often external, factors that they believe will finally bring them joy. This may look like “if I only had a better job”, “if I only had a significant other”, or “if I only lost ten more pounds”. While these things certainly contribute to  [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wellness-what-does-it-look-like/">Wellness: What Does It Look Like?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Often when people search for wellness they fixate on one or two, often external, factors that they believe will <em>finally</em> bring them joy. This may look like “if I only had a better job”, “if I only had a significant other”, or “if I only lost ten more pounds”. While these things certainly contribute to our well-being examples like these alone cannot bring us happiness. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wellness is not any one thing or any specific area in our lives. It is a combination of many domains that make up who we are as a person. The <a href="https://www.samhsa.gov/">United States Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration</a> (SAMHSA) recognizes eight domains of wellness that contribute to our personal wellness. These areas are Emotional, Spiritual, Intellectual, Physical, Environmental, Financial, Occupational, and Social. </span></p>
<p>&nbsp;</p>
<p><img decoding="async" class="aligncenter" src="https://mfpcc.samhsa.gov/images/ENews/wellness_wheel-english.jpg" alt="Wellness Wheel" width="472" height="472" /></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;"> These areas are interconnected and they influence each other. For example, untreated or poorly managed anxiety obviously impacts our emotional well-being but it very quickly can and does impact other areas as well. Perhaps it impacts our work performance due to poor concentration or missing shifts. Or it may look like isolating from friends and family. Maybe we avoid checking our credit card statement because it becomes too overwhelming or we become disconnected from our higher power. The good news is that when it comes to personal well-being and recovery, these interdependent domains can be used to strengthen one another. When we recognize that our emotional well-being is not being well managed, we can build on the other areas. Maybe we can concentrate on our physical health, change our environment, or work on art. </span></p>
<p><span style="font-weight: 400;">Wellness is not any one of these areas but a combination of them all. In our own search for wellness, it is important to look at all domains to see how they can be used to strengthen and build on one another. Living</span><span style="font-weight: 400;">  “life on life’s terms” means that the functioning in these areas will ebb and flow and finding optimal wellness is discovering how they all integrate within the self.</span></p>
<p>If you are interested in learning more or improving any of these areas of wellness, please contact us at 201-488-6678 or visit <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/</a>. We look forward to speaking with you!</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wellness-what-does-it-look-like/">Wellness: What Does It Look Like?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wellness-what-does-it-look-like/">Wellness: What Does It Look Like?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">17407</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>You Don&#8217;t Need To Be a People Pleaser</title>
		<link>https://www.specializedtherapy.com/how-to-avoid-being-a-people-pleaser/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Krystina Pazoga]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 17 Apr 2020 13:57:52 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[ACOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Trauma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[burnout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Children and Families]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counseling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Health and Wellness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[hurt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Psychotherapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[relationships]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self-esteem]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[stress]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[behavioral awareness love]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[guilt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mindfulness]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[people pleasing]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Wellness]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/?p=15046</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Are you being taken advantage of in order to avoid a potential conflict.  Being a People Pleaser can hurt your own mental health.  A people pleaser is a type of person who are "too nice", almost always putting everyone else's needs before their own. They never say "no", are always volunteering to help,  [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/how-to-avoid-being-a-people-pleaser/">You Don&#8217;t Need To Be a People Pleaser</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<h1 style="text-align: center;"><strong>Are you being taken advantage of in order to avoid a potential conflict.</strong></h1>
<p><div class="fusion-fullwidth fullwidth-box fusion-builder-row-2 fusion-flex-container hundred-percent-fullwidth non-hundred-percent-height-scrolling" style="--awb-border-radius-top-left:0px;--awb-border-radius-top-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-right:0px;--awb-border-radius-bottom-left:0px;--awb-overflow:visible;--awb-flex-wrap:wrap;" ><div class="fusion-builder-row fusion-row fusion-flex-align-items-flex-start fusion-flex-content-wrap" style="width:calc( 100% + 0px ) !important;max-width:calc( 100% + 0px ) !important;margin-left: calc(-0px / 2 );margin-right: calc(-0px / 2 );"><div class="fusion-layout-column fusion_builder_column fusion-builder-column-1 fusion_builder_column_1_1 1_1 fusion-flex-column fusion-flex-align-self-flex-start fusion-column-no-min-height" style="--awb-bg-size:cover;--awb-width-large:100%;--awb-margin-top-large:0px;--awb-spacing-right-large:0px;--awb-margin-bottom-large:0px;--awb-spacing-left-large:0px;--awb-width-medium:100%;--awb-spacing-right-medium:0px;--awb-spacing-left-medium:0px;--awb-width-small:100%;--awb-spacing-right-small:0px;--awb-spacing-left-small:0px;"><div class="fusion-column-wrapper fusion-flex-justify-content-flex-start fusion-content-layout-column"><div id="attachment_15347" style="width: 310px" class="wp-caption aligncenter"><a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-girl-lying-in-the-leaves-1512839738ytO.jpg"><img decoding="async" aria-describedby="caption-attachment-15347" class="wp-image-15347 size-medium" title="people pleaser" src="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-girl-lying-in-the-leaves-1512839738ytO-300x200.jpg" alt="Avoid being a taking on the traits of a people pleaser" width="300" height="200" srcset="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-girl-lying-in-the-leaves-1512839738ytO-300x200.jpg 300w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-girl-lying-in-the-leaves-1512839738ytO-500x333.jpg 500w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-girl-lying-in-the-leaves-1512839738ytO-700x467.jpg 700w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-girl-lying-in-the-leaves-1512839738ytO-768x512.jpg 768w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-girl-lying-in-the-leaves-1512839738ytO-1024x683.jpg 1024w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-girl-lying-in-the-leaves-1512839738ytO-1536x1024.jpg 1536w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2020/04/beautiful-girl-lying-in-the-leaves-1512839738ytO.jpg 1920w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a><p id="caption-attachment-15347" class="wp-caption-text">Being a People Pleaser can hurt your own mental health.</p></div>
<p>A people pleaser is a type of person who are &#8220;too nice&#8221;, almost always putting everyone else&#8217;s needs before their own. They never say &#8220;no&#8221;, are always volunteering to help, and make sure that everyone else&#8217;s needs are met first before they worry about themselves. It may sound like a good thing to always help others but this can quickly lead to emotional and physical burnout. Common examples include:</p>
<ul>
<li>Agreeing to cover a shift or pick up a project at work that you know you cannot do</li>
<li>Not doing activities that you want to do because it may bother other people</li>
<li>Doing things that you don&#8217;t want to or can&#8217;t do because you&#8217;re afraid others will be mad at you if you say no</li>
<li>Experiencing guilt at the thought of saying &#8220;no&#8221; to someone</li>
<li>Being afraid people would not like you if they knew the real you</li>
<li>Having a hard time sharing your true feelings</li>
<li>Going to great lengths to avoid conflict</li>
<li>Becoming very uncomfortable at the thought of someone being mad at you</li>
</ul>
<p>All of these qualities point to the larger theme that you are the last priority in your own life. An important step for healthier well being is learning to put your own needs first. Recognizing that you are not responsible for anyone else&#8217;s feelings, not their happiness, sadness, anger, etc.  Sharing your wants and needs in an assertive and healthy way reduces people pleasing behavior  and is a critical step in your own journey of wellness. Meaning, you are able to stand up for your own needs and still be respectful of the other person.</p>
<p>If you&#8217;re interested in learning more or taking the next step in avoiding the negative aspects of  being a people pleaser and putting yourself first, please visit us at <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/</a> or call 201-488-6678.</p>
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</div></div></div></div></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/how-to-avoid-being-a-people-pleaser/">You Don’t Need To Be a People Pleaser</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/how-to-avoid-being-a-people-pleaser/">You Don&#8217;t Need To Be a People Pleaser</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></content:encoded>
					
		
		
		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">15046</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Are you &#8216;demons&#8217; preventing you from being in the present moment?</title>
		<link>https://www.specializedtherapy.com/are-you-demons-preventing-you-from-being-in-the-present-moment/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[JILL MACKEY]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 13 Mar 2020 19:40:21 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[Abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ACOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Trauma]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counseling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dbt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Depression]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Codependency]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Demons]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[trauma]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/?p=14990</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Recently, I read a quote that said, "You wake up to fight the same demons that left you so exhausted the day before. That's bravery!" I felt inspired by that and thought.. Jeez, I wonder how many other people believe fighting our 'demons' is brave work. Now, I'm sure we've all heard people refer to  [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/are-you-demons-preventing-you-from-being-in-the-present-moment/">Are you &#8216;demons&#8217; preventing you from being in the present moment?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>Recently, I read a quote that said, &#8220;You wake up to fight the same demons that left you so exhausted the day before. That&#8217;s bravery!&#8221; I felt inspired by that and thought.. Jeez, I wonder how many other people believe fighting our &#8216;demons&#8217; is brave work. Now, I&#8217;m sure we&#8217;ve all heard people refer to things they&#8217;re struggling with as &#8216;demons&#8217; but How many people actually explore what those &#8216;demons&#8217; are?</p>
<p>We all know we have them but.. Do we really sit down and list them? Do we figure out an action plan on how to work on them? And even if we do, Do we stick with it without the accountability of a therapist? And lastly, Do we actually explore how our demons are preventing us from being in the present moment?</p>
<p>&#8220;Demons&#8221; do not always have to fall into what most people consider &#8216;negative&#8217; qualities, like perhaps overindulging (eating, alcohol, gambling), being judgmental or jealous. They are just things that distract us from enjoying our lives fully. In fact, a lot of the time our &#8216;demons&#8217; can be sneaky irrational thinking (that we usually don&#8217;t like to admit to anyone) such as..</p>
<p>1. An inability to internalize praise<br />
2. Constantly doubting ourselves and our worth.<br />
3. Thinking no one likes us and obsessing about our every move<br />
4. Nervous thinking/imposter syndrome<br />
5. People pleasing/codependency</p>
<p>A lot of individual&#8217;s struggle with a &#8216;perfect&#8217; combination of &#8216;demons&#8217; that leave them so consumed by what they need to do to be approved of by others that they do not learn how to approve of ourselves and are thus, unable to live in today.</p>
<p>If you find yourself struggling with being in the moment due to your &#8216;demons&#8217; and would like some help finding your own intrinsic joy, Please reach out to <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/">Specialized Therapy Associates </a> and <a href="http://fxmedcenters.com/">Fx Med Center</a> today at 1-201-488-6678 and schedule an appointment today. We look forward to meeting you!</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/are-you-demons-preventing-you-from-being-in-the-present-moment/">Are you ‘demons’ preventing you from being in the present moment?</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/are-you-demons-preventing-you-from-being-in-the-present-moment/">Are you &#8216;demons&#8217; preventing you from being in the present moment?</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">14990</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Taking Care of Ourselves</title>
		<link>https://www.specializedtherapy.com/taking-care-of-ourselves/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[JILL MACKEY]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 10 Jan 2020 16:34:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[12 step program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ACOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anger]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[anxiety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[burnout]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counseling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[dbt]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Depression]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Uncategorized]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[burn out]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[lack of joy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[mental health days]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[negative]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[self care]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/?p=14899</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>In today's society, people's identities are shaped by how many hours they work or how few days they take off. In this paradigm, we lose sight of what really matters... Taking care of ourselves. We live to work instead of work to live. Now.. take a moment &amp; think to yourself, Why do I usually  [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/taking-care-of-ourselves/">Taking Care of Ourselves</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p>In today&#8217;s society, people&#8217;s identities are shaped by how many hours they work or how few days they take off. In this paradigm, we lose sight of what really matters&#8230; Taking care of ourselves. We live to work instead of work to live. Now.. take a moment &amp; think to yourself, Why do I usually take days off? Do I wait until I&#8217;m deathly ill in order to take time off for myself or even worse, do I end up losing vacation &amp; sick time at the end of the year? Welcome to adulthood.<a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/burnout.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-full wp-image-14935 alignleft" src="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/burnout.jpg" alt="" width="258" height="195" /></a></p>
<p>So many of us &#8220;escape into responsibility&#8221; instead of doing the necessary self-care and taking mental health days when we need them. But.. why is that? Most of us do not know it&#8217;s allowed to take a day to focus on ourselves and that we don&#8217;t have to wait until we feel burned out to do it.</p>
<p>That brings us to our next point&#8230; What is self-care? Well, that&#8217;s a great question and that answer evades most of us. Is it eating that piece of chocolate cake &amp; wearing a face mask? Getting that massage? Reaching out to trusted friends to vent? Yes, ALL OF THAT but its also more than that. It&#8217;s about creating a life you don&#8217;t routinely need to escape from. It&#8217;s really more about taking regular breaks in our busy lives, showing up for yourself by eating healthy, exercising, setting boundaries with difficult people, doing things that make your heart sing and accepting that you are not going to everything on the dreaded &#8216;to-do&#8217; list done.</p>
<h3>Taking Time for Ourselves</h3>
<p>In the book, &#8220;<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/1016819.The_Joy_of_Burnout">The Joy of Burn Out</a>&#8220;, Glouberman, discusses how when we do not take time for ourselves (ie: Mental Health Days) and become overly invested in work, we lose our joy. She goes on to explain that one day we are feeling happy &amp; fulfilled, overworking &amp; career-driven and the next moment, we ask ourselves.. &#8220;Where did my joy go?&#8221; as we stumble through life on a scavenger hunt with no map. She continues on to say that if we do not surrender now &amp; take breaks when necessary, we will pay the price later.. which may be what lead you to read this blog today.</p>
<p>If you are wondering to yourself, &#8220;Where did my joy go?&#8221; and/or are struggling with taking care of yourself, please reach out to <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/">Specialized Therapy Associates</a> today at 201-488-6678 &amp; we would be happy to help you find your way back to yourself.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/taking-care-of-ourselves/">Taking Care of Ourselves</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/taking-care-of-ourselves/">Taking Care of Ourselves</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">14899</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Sobriety and the Holidays: Tips for the Season</title>
		<link>https://www.specializedtherapy.com/staying-sober-during-the-holiday-season/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jessica Kicha]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 20 Dec 2019 16:20:50 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[12 step program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ACOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addictions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[change]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counseling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Psychotherapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Substance Abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Holidays]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[substance use]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/?p=14913</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Staying sober can be especially difficult around the holiday season when there are so many events and parties. These kinds of situations can cause stress, triggering thoughts or urges to use substances. Sobriety becomes even more challenging when drugs or alcohol are present at these events. Getting through the holiday season may seem daunting, but  [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/staying-sober-during-the-holiday-season/">Sobriety and the Holidays: Tips for the Season</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/shutterstock_520458316-865x467-1.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-14914 alignleft" src="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/shutterstock_520458316-865x467-1-300x162.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="162" srcset="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/shutterstock_520458316-865x467-1-300x162.jpg 300w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/shutterstock_520458316-865x467-1-500x270.jpg 500w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/shutterstock_520458316-865x467-1-700x378.jpg 700w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/shutterstock_520458316-865x467-1-768x415.jpg 768w, https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2019/12/shutterstock_520458316-865x467-1.jpg 865w" sizes="(max-width: 300px) 100vw, 300px" /></a></p>
<p>Staying sober can be especially difficult around the holiday season when there are so many events and parties. These kinds of situations can cause stress, triggering thoughts or urges to use substances. Sobriety becomes even more challenging when drugs or alcohol are present at these events. Getting through the holiday season may seem daunting, but here are some tips to celebrate yourself in recovery this holiday season.</p>
<h2>Tips for being Sober during the Holiday Season</h2>
<ul>
<li>Make healthy choices about the events you choose to attend. If you know that a particular party or gathering will be centered around drinking or substances, choose not to go. Attend an event instead that&#8217;s more centered around sober activities with friends and family.</li>
<li>When attending a party or event, ask the host if they can provide non-alcoholic beverages. If you feel uncomfortable asking about it, it&#8217;s alright to bring your own non-alcoholic beverages like seltzers or sodas. Having a safe beverage to sip on can help you feel less excluded.</li>
<li>Avoid being the designated driver! While this may seem helpful, it can cause you to feel stuck at a party waiting for a friend when you&#8217;re ready to leave. If you do agree to drive, let friends know in advance that you may need to leave. If they&#8217;re not ready to go, they will need to find alternate ways to get home such as public transport or car services.</li>
<li>Bring a sober friend or support to holiday events that may be triggering for you. If you have a sponsor, let them know in advance about the event you&#8217;re attending so you can call him or her if you need support.</li>
<li>Have an escape plan. When you attend a gathering, become aware of where exits are in case you need to step away for a break. You can also go into a bathroom to take space to breathe or splash some water on your face to cool down.</li>
<li>Commit yourself to abstinence. If you have one celebratory drink, like a glass of champagne, this can lower your inhibitions and your perception. This will make it more difficult to control substance use behaviors afterward.</li>
</ul>
<h2>Take on a New Perspective</h2>
<p>Focus on celebrating yourself and your recovery during the holiday season. It&#8217;s a special time to take pride in yourself and your accomplishments. Challenge yourself to think more about what you&#8217;re gaining when you&#8217;re sober rather than what you feel you&#8217;re giving up. When you&#8217;re not drinking or drugging, you&#8217;re more present and engaged in activities with your spouse, your friends, and your family. You will maintain more positive memories during this time when you are sober.</p>
<p>For information on therapy and counseling for substance abuse and recovery, contact Specialized Therapy Associates at (201)-488-6678, or visit us online at <a href="http://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy Associates</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/staying-sober-during-the-holiday-season/">Sobriety and the Holidays: Tips for the Season</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/staying-sober-during-the-holiday-season/">Sobriety and the Holidays: Tips for the Season</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">14913</post-id>	</item>
		<item>
		<title>Values and Success in Recovery</title>
		<link>https://www.specializedtherapy.com/values-and-success-in-recovery/</link>
		
		<dc:creator><![CDATA[Jessica Kicha]]></dc:creator>
		<pubDate>Fri, 11 Oct 2019 14:53:06 +0000</pubDate>
				<category><![CDATA[12 step program]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[ACOA]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addict]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Addiction]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[addictions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[and Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[counseling]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[emotions]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Group Therapy]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Substance Abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Recovery]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Sobriety]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[substance abuse]]></category>
		<category><![CDATA[Values]]></category>
		<guid isPermaLink="false">https://www.specializedtherapy.com/?p=14507</guid>

					<description><![CDATA[<p>Addiction can result from and bring forth emotions and thoughts that are difficult to deal with. These emotions can drive an addict to behave in ways they later regret. It can be challenging to figure out how to act in opposite ways that have more positive outcomes. A question I often ask my own clients  [...]</p>
<p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/values-and-success-in-recovery/">Values and Success in Recovery</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
]]></description>
										<content:encoded><![CDATA[<p><a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/shutterstock_271007363-e1444084563840.jpg"><img decoding="async" class="size-medium wp-image-12212 alignleft" src="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/shutterstock_271007363-300x197.jpg" alt="" width="300" height="197" /></a></p>
<p>Addiction can result from and bring forth emotions and thoughts that are difficult to deal with. These emotions can drive an addict to behave in ways they later regret. It can be challenging to figure out how to act in opposite ways that have more positive outcomes. A question I often ask my own clients is: &#8220;Are your behaviors getting you to where you want to go?&#8221; If the answer is &#8216;no&#8217; and it&#8217;s time to work on changing behaviors, then it&#8217;s helpful to get an idea of what your values are. Knowing what is most important or worthwhile for you will help keep you on track and guide your decision making in recovery.</p>
<p>You may be asking yourself, &#8216;How do I uncover my own values?&#8217; The disease of addiction can cause a person to put aside or ignore values such as honesty or loyalty. You may have lied about your substance use many times to your family members or spouse for example. That doesn&#8217;t mean you don&#8217;t value these things! It means you are reconnecting with yourself and taking steps towards the life you want to live.</p>
<h3>Value Categories</h3>
<p>Consider value categories to help kickstart uncovering your own values. These categories include family, friendships, romance or intimacy, education, work (work ethic), honesty, respect, loyalty, health, community, faith, and sobriety. For each category, ask yourself what this means for you and come up with specific examples of each value&#8217;s meaning. Make a list of each value and each example. Take a moment to come up with examples of times you have acted on these values in the past, before your addiction. Use these examples as proof that you can act on these values again! Explore what kinds of changes you can make in your life now to respect your values. Identify values involved in any kind of choice you want to make and what behaviors could go along with those values.</p>
<h3>For More Information</h3>
<p>Specialized Therapy Associates provides a wide range of addiction recovery services for adolescents and adults. If you would like to find out more, please call the intake department at 201-488-6678, or <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/">specializedtherapy.com</a></p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/values-and-success-in-recovery/">Values and Success in Recovery</a> first appeared on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p><p>The post <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com/values-and-success-in-recovery/">Values and Success in Recovery</a> appeared first on <a href="https://www.specializedtherapy.com">Specialized Therapy</a>.</p>
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		<post-id xmlns="com-wordpress:feed-additions:1">14507</post-id>	</item>
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