For people in recovery from using alcohol and other substances, these stressful times can bring additional challenges. Below are some links for online support: 

Listing of online 12 Step Meetings on various platform

Al Anon Electronic Meetings

Narcotics Anonymous:

Sober Grid:  

My Recovery:

Others:

https://refugerecovery.org/meetings

https://www.familiesanonymous.org/meetings/virtual-meetings

https://www.lifering.org/online-meetings

https://www.thetemper.com/online-recovery-meetings-groups

http://aa-intergroup.org/directory.php

https://www.smartrecovery.org/community/calendar.php

https://www.smartrecovery.org/smart-recovery-toolbox/smart-recovery-online

https://adultchildren.org/quick-search/?audiobt=Click+Here

https://www.intherooms.com/home

https://www.jointempest.co/bridge-club-events?tag=Virtual%20Events

May you be filled with loving kindness.  May you be held in loving kindness.   May you feel connected and calm.   May you accept yourself just as you are.  May you be happy.  May you know the natural joy of being alive. 

Mindfulness is an effective tool for increasing your capacity for self-awareness and self- management, managing and transforming pain, and increasing your capacity and resilience for creatively dealing with challenges. Mindfulness is a skill that truly requires regular practice. As you cultivate your own mindfulness practice you will begin to see for yourself the transformative power of being in the present moment.

Here are some resources to support you in beginning or continuing your mindfulness journey:

Some Popular Apps

Calm  – Meditation techniques for sleep and stress reduction.

Insight Timer  – Smartphone app and online community for meditation.

Headspace  – Smartphone app full of guided meditations.

The Mindfulness App includes guided meditations focusing on the body (including a special app for pregnant couples) and developing compassion.

ACT Companion is an app offering mindfulness recordings and tools for tracking valued action.

Mindfulness Daily app  offers daily exercises to help build a practice in just a few minutes a day.

I HERE NOW app  is an ACT and mindfulness app for managing stress and increasing wellbeing.

Stop, Breathe & Think is an app that asks for your current feelings and suggest matching guided meditations.

Liberate is a meditation app created by and for Black, Indigenous, and People of Color communities. 

Articles

A great up-to-date article by Joaquin Selva on the top 20 mindfulness apps for meditation, eating, awareness and other aspects of mindfulness.

A very good guide on meditation that pulls from the expert guidance of well-respected mindfulness teachers.

Mindfulness Websites

Living Zen Podcast delivers recorded talks about Zen and mindfulness online, via podcast, or via mobile app.

Palouse Mindfulness is an online free mindfulness based stress reduction course founded and based on Jon Kabat Zinn’s program at the University of Massachusetts Medical School.

University of Virginia Center of Mindfulness.

InStill Mindfulness SWVA creates increased self-awareness, greater life satisfaction, and healthier communities by helping people experience a deeper understanding of themselves and the world. This is achieved through mindfulness-related education, resources, clubs, and retreats.

Fear of the unknown has become even more common and understandable in recent years. We have reason to be anxious, confused, and concerned. Doing our part to stay calm will help the mental health and physical health of ourselves and others.

If you begin to feel anxious and overwhelmed, focusing on the simple practical things that can be done around you are a good way to distract yourself: Wash your hands, wash some clothes, take a shower, cook, do some cleaning or projects around the house, play games with the kids, have fun or quiet moments with your pets, pick up an old hobby again, and give someone (who doesn’t tend to stress you out) a call and check on them.

Focusing on others and their well-being is helpful not only to them, but also to us.

Reach out to a neighbor or others in the community, especially someone who may have limited support or means, and check on them. Offer to help them get medicines, supplies, or food if needed. They may need your kindness most of all. The same is true of pets and animals in shelters.

Establish a routine for healthy sleep and well balanced meals to reduce stress and keep your immune system healthy.

Avoid having 24-hour news channels on the TV all day/night. Even if it’s just in the background and you’re not focusing directly on it, it can have an impact and be depressing and anxiety-provoking. Try selecting programs that are relaxing or funny instead.

If you have children or grandchildren at home, have fun, play, teach them how to do chores or how to cook or plant something in a pot or outside. Build some learning exercises around things they like. For example, if your child has a favorite animal, create an activity about that animal and how it lives.

Spend some time outdoors. Yard work, garden projects, playing ball, walking and bike riding will exercise and relax you. We live in a beautiful area of Virginia near the Blue Ridge Parkway. Have you ever wanted to take greater advantage of the area and explore more of its beauty? Just do it.

Pick up an old hobby. Many of us have taken an interest in something creative at some point, bought the stuff to do it, and then put it away somewhere… Now is a great time to get it out again.

That old hobby or other endeavor may also be a source of needed income. Offering to do yard work or small repairs may help too.

Connect with your faith-based or spiritual community to give and receive support. Call friends, neighbors, and family to check on them and renew healthy relationships.

Hold close to those you love and let them know how much you love them. Show them you care about them. And take good care of yourself!