Biochemistry Balancing For The Addicted Brain

August 12, 2014 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Eating Disorders, Biochemistry Balancing

As you probably know, Robin Williams died this week due to addiction issues. Very, very sad. Not long before that, we lost Phillip Seymour Hoffman. And a couple months prior that, we lost L'wren Scott, Mick Jagger's latest wife. And a couple months before that tragedy, Peaches Geldof, Bob Geldof's 25-year-old gorgeous daughter kissed the dust. Every single one struggled with drug addiction. And died from that. It is not uncommon for those, who struggle with drugs, that they also suffer from different disordered eating behaviors as well, often overlooked and ignored due to drug use. Together they form a fatal combination, heart attack waiting to happen. A heart can only take so much stress before it gives up.

How To Shortcut Recovery

August 05, 2014 by Christina Santini in Eating Disorders, Addictions, Transformation Keys

When we are in pain, we all want to get rid of it. And preferably fast. We are obsessed with shortcuts. Diets. Instant-fix. Instant gratifications. Drugs. Alcohol. Food. Now now now. The thing is, that when we try to speed up recovery for the sake of shortcut, we miss out on the growth that comes only though pain. Our main growth in life happens through pain. That is why we should embrace pain, rather than just try to get rid of it as fast as we can. That, and the fact that what we resist, persists. So the only real shortcut is to embrace that which we fear. Why 95% of all diets fail and most people who are on a diet will gain weight. Being on a diet is the single dominant predicative parameter of future weight gain. Because shortcuts are not the solution to our struggles. Mastery is. And mastery is not something we learn overnight or by fearing failure.

When You Feel Like You Have Nothing To Give

July 22, 2014 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Eating Disorders, Self-Worth, Transformation Keys

That's exactly when is the perfect time to give back. Yes, at the point where you feel, you have hit rock bottom. Everything is against you and possibly everyone left you. This is when you feel that you cannot give anything to anyone. You feel like a used piece of tissue - wet, dirty and useless. The key to get unstuck of your misery, is to start giving in your weakest moment.

How To Manage Your Emotions without Drugs, Food + Alcohol

July 15, 2014 by Christina Santini in Addictions, Eating Disorders, Meditation, Emotional Management

Amber Valletta, ex-addict and supermodel, speaks out about the things she has found that she needs to do to thrive in recovery.

A key thing for Amber's ability to manage her emotions without drugs is mindfullness - her daily meditation practice. You can watch the video with Amber here.

This week I want to talk about the next step in recovery - and basically one of the most important steps for anyone dealing with wanting to change a behavior: building a daily meditation practice.

Why You Need Sleep In Recovery

July 08, 2014 by Christina Santini in Sleep, Addictions, Eating Disorders

It is critical for anyone dealing with an eating disorder or addiction to get their sleep routine down to rebalance biochemically. This is the single most important step before focusing on any other behavior and nutritional steps. Simply because your brain cannot use its frontal lobe aka rational decision-making, nor can your body utilize all the nourishing foods you may be giving it, if you don't allow time for rest and digest. Timing is important because we have an internal clock that sends off specific hormones at specific times, so you want to honor that with your lifestyle to not only survive recovery, but to THRIVE in recovery.