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Welcome to the Atheists in Recovery Podcast, where we talk about finding hope in recovery. And now your host, Dr. Adina Silvestri

Konichiwa Guys, and Welcome to Episode 77 of the Atheists in Recovery podcast. And so we are back from our December pause and I wanted to talk about three things to let go of, and three things to hold on to in the new year. This is an exercise that my clients seem to really be enjoying. So I wanted to bring it to the podcast, bring it to the listeners and also interweave hypnotherapy into this because it's such a huge part of my work, and helping individuals in recovery. So hypnotherapy can be a highly effective tool for those in early stages of recovery, as well as for those in the maintenance stage and in later stages of recovery. hypnotherapy addresses those feelings we work so hard to push down or dismiss. By utilizing deep relaxation techniques with guided imagery. hypnotherapy can help remove physical barriers to recovery, such as the body's symptoms of withdrawal, anxiety, muscle tension, spasm and pain, along with reinforcing the equipment to sobriety, or your individualized recovery. So breaking these maladaptive habits or bad habits or when overcoming an addiction, we need to unify our subconscious mind with our conscious mind so that they together can agree on the same things and you can begin the recovery process and hypnotherapy is great at tapping into the subconscious mind. So in today's episode, we will embark on the new year. And I want to outline three things, select go have in the form of verbs. And maybe these are three things that you want to hold on to whichever you decide. I think it's it's good to have a just a deep dive into these verbs. And you may ask why verbs Edina? Well, why not you know, we learn these verbs at a very, very young age. And to me sort of sets the groundwork to how we react, how we interpret the world, how we interact with ourselves with others. I mean, it's Yeah, I think that I think that it's huge. So let's talk about these three verbs, how you can apply it to your recovery, and also your everyday life, you know, how you can apply it to your finances, how you can apply it to your sexual story. And, of course, your relationships with self and other. So the first verb number one to ask. This one is most often cited as negative with my guys, and by guys, I mean, guys and girls, the verb to ask is met with, you know, gruff comments, with looks, you know, why would I ask for anything I'm self sufficient, is what I'll hear in the office, or, I put myself in a position that so that I don't need anything from anyone ever. This is another comment I hear pretty often. And so we're going to listen to a story about and in a minute, but to ask is a really good verb, to sort of even write down on a piece of paper, look at it and hold it in your hand and kind of just be aware of what feelings and thoughts come to your mind. Okay. Number two, the verb to take. And so this has an uncomfortable vibe to it, for sure. And perhaps it means moving something that needs to not be there in this new life. You know, you're taking this object that triggers you, and you're removing it from your environment. So I think that is sort of a less uncomfortable vibe.

It can mean anything, I guess, is what I'm saying...to take can mean anything, you know, you have to really be aware of what be aware of what it brings up for you. And so for the guys that I work with, to take is something that they cite pretty often is one that they want to work on in the new year. And by work on, I mean, we'd be let go of, but doesn't have to be a negative it could be it could be positive. So if you are thinking of it in a different way, then you might want to hold on to it but you want to you want to strengthen that muscle a little bit more. Number three, to receive well out of the verbs ready to receive is definitely less cringy it's still worth worth still worth mentioning, however, to receive help when offered is what I think of to receive but that might might not be what you think of maybe to receive praise or compliments maybe to have an open heart and mind for whatever the season brings your way have an open heart and mind for whatever politics your family may bring up. Yeah, to receive. So let's talk a little bit about and for a minute, and is struggling with vulnerability as she toggles between two worlds one is her manager position at an upscale restaurant, and the other is her desire to quit drinking for the good of her health and to be this role model for for her young child. For an she is happy to be a mentor to those in the restaurant world, she wins many awards for her service. When asked how mentorship makes her feel, she lives she lists a litany of feel good emotions needed. Good Samaritan good role model and you know, for those starting out really, really good. Good adjectives there. When prompted to talk about who's helping her when things get overwhelmed at work or home this springs and to tears. She drinks because she's overwhelmed with raising a rambunctious sometimes doesn't listen, which I guess is the same thing. five year old with her husband who's always traveling, but she's unwilling to share that burden with others. She says to me, I am the strong one in my friend circle. What would they think of me if they knew I feel like a fraud when I wake up most mornings? If you ask and she would say the verb she needs to focus on in the new year is definitely to ask. In fact, we've joked that she needs to wear a big sign around her neck like in the movie 28 days with Sandra Bullock asked me if it looks like I may need help. So with hypnotherapy, we work just strengthen this verb through visualization and a tailored script that Anna and I work on together whenever she feels triggered or activated. We return to that those grounding spots that she identifies early on in the hypnotherapy and in the script to help her with the physical and mental barriers and reinforce her commitment to recovery. So in conclusion, you know, what verb would you pick? Would you pick to ask to take she received would there be another verb all together that you would pick to strengthen? Or to let go? Let me know, hit me up on social or email me. And I look forward to to learning more about your verb and how you're going to strengthen that muscle in the upcoming year. And if you're interested in learning more, I provide therapy to individuals in Virginia and in my office, worldwide via zoom. And so you could always head over to atheists and recovery.com and message me there. All right, guys. Thanks for listening. Have a good one. Bye.

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