If you are a fan of the hugely popular sitcom Seinfeld, you might remember an episode revolving around the phrase “serenity now.” George Costanza’s father, Frank, is instructed by his therapist to say “serenity now” whenever he feels his blood pressure rising. Frank, being Frank, his approach to this advice is to shout “serenity now!” at the top of his lungs each time he feels like he needs some…well…serenity. Other characters on the show try their luck with the phrase, and as one would expect on a sitcom, hilarity ensues. Serenity, on the other hand, does not.
Serenity is a good thing to pursue in life—and in treatment for and recovery from a substance use disorder. Let’s take a closer look at the notion of serenity to see if we might find a more effective approach than Frank Costanza did.
Why Serenity Is Important in Treatment
When pursuing treatment for a substance use disorder, it can be exceptionally helpful to take a break from your day-to-day life. Getting yourself free from drugs or alcohol is easier in a calm, safe setting away from temptation, where your detoxification can include ongoing medical supervision.
Wooded Glen Recovery Center, for example, is located on 500 acres of private forestland near Indiana’s Clark State Forest. This quiet, scenic environment can inspire a sense of serenity even as you do the hard work of reclaiming your life from substance use.
In fact, we believe so strongly in the restorative power of the natural environment that we have devoted a blog post to Clark State Forest and its potential connection (both as a real place and as a metaphor) to an ongoing life that does not include drugs or alcohol.
Our photo tour provides you with an opportunity to see Wooded Glen’s beautiful setting—a setting we consider an important part of our efforts to help people get their recovery underway.
Why Serenity Is Important in Recovery
It can be quite jarring when residential treatment comes to an end. Feeling overwhelmed is a natural reaction when you return to your slate of responsibilities and are surrounded once again by friends, family, co-workers, and more. That feeling can be particularly intense because now you are working hard to keep your recovery intact, and that can feel particularly challenging once you are no longer in the safe, quiet, supportive environment of a treatment center.
As a result, one of the most important things you can do for yourself is to develop routines that can help you capture a sense of serenity even when things seem chaotic. There are a number of ways you might accomplish this.
For example, many people—perhaps including you—are not terribly good at taking breaks (whether for a 10-minute walk or a two-week vacation) or finding opportunities to rest and recharge. Those same people—again, perhaps including you—often short themselves on sleep, which just makes each day a little (or a lot) more challenging. Putting breaks and restful sleep into your calendar to remind yourself that they are just as important as anything else that appears there can be a good first step toward improvement. That improvement, over time, can increase your overall sense of serenity.
There are also some practices you can adopt that help you build up your supply of serenity. Mindfulness practice, for example, can help you spend more time in the present moment rather than constantly replaying and regretting the past or worrying about the future. Taking up yoga can have a similar effect. In fact, it is possible to think of yoga as a mindfulness practice with a physical component. Both call on you to focus on the breath and to stay grounded in the moment—and both can help you in your quest for more serenity.
Further, anything you can do that supports your physical and mental health can also support your serenity and recovery. That includes regular exercise, healthful eating, building strong relationships, attending recovery meetings, and much more. When you are taking good care of your body and brain, you are far more likely to experience serenity—and keep your recovery on track.
Pursue Serenity Now at Wooded Glen Recovery Center
Located in Henryville, Indiana, Wooded Glen Recovery Center offers personalized treatment for substance use disorders and co-occurring mental health disorders. On our serene campus, we will see you through medically supervised detoxification and a robust rehabilitation program that includes group and individual therapy. We will help you acquire skills and access resources that will serve you well on your recovery journey so that you can leave Wooded Glen with a feeling of confidence and resolve.
But the end of treatment is not the end of your relationship with Wooded Glen Recovery Center. Our aftercare program keeps you connected to fellow Wooded Glen alums and gives you access to ongoing support from our staff. Knowing that you have a recovery community you can always rely on can add to your sense of serenity, too.
When you are ready to experience “serenity now” through treatment and recovery, we are ready to help. That help, as always, is available—right now.