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Completing the Stress Cycle Instead of Carrying Stress Into Tomorrow
Stress does not always end when the stressful situation is over. Explore what it means to complete the stress cycle, why the body can stay activated, and practical ways to support recovery through movement, breathing, connection, grounding and gentle end-of-day transitions.
Leigh-Anne Brierley
7 days ago9 min read


When Calm Feels Uncomfortable: Learning to Feel Safe Without Chaos
When life begins to settle, calm can feel surprisingly uncomfortable. In recovery, learning to feel safe may take time, support and gentle practice. Explore why quiet can leave you restless, how to approach steadiness at your own pace, and what it means to build a meaningful, connected life without constant chaos.
Leigh-Anne Brierley
Oct 129 min read


Fight, Flight, Freeze and Fawn: Recognising Your Recovery Survival Responses
There are moments in recovery when our reactions seem to arrive before we have had a chance to think. Somebody’s tone changes and we immediately become defensive. A difficult conversation leaves us wanting to escape. We agree to something we do not want because disappointing another person feels unbearable. We receive an upsetting message and suddenly find ourselves unable to move, speak or decide what to do next. Later, when the intensity has passed, we may look back and won
Leigh-Anne Brierley
Oct 511 min read


Understanding Your Window of Tolerance in Recovery
Understanding your window of tolerance in recovery can help you recognise when you are becoming activated, overwhelmed or disconnected. Learn to identify your green, amber and red zones and find practical, compassionate ways to return to greater steadiness, connection and choice.
Leigh-Anne Brierley
Sep 2815 min read


Your Body Often Knows You’re Struggling Before Your Mind Does
Your body often knows you’re struggling before your mind has found the words. Explore how stress, emotional overload and recovery challenges can appear as physical signals, and learn to respond with curiosity, compassion and practical care.
Leigh-Anne Brierley
Sep 2210 min read


The Recovery Toolbox: What Should Be in Yours Before You Need It?
A strong recovery toolbox is built before you need it. Explore practical tools, coping skills, support systems and relapse-prevention strategies that can help you stay grounded, connected and prepared when recovery feels more difficult.
Leigh-Anne Brierley
Sep 1713 min read


It’s Not Just the Trigger: Understanding What Really Raises Relapse Risk
Triggers matter in recovery, but they are only part of the picture. This post explores the connection between triggers and relapse risk, and how recognising when you are under-resourced can help you respond with greater awareness, choice and support.
Leigh-Anne Brierley
Sep 1510 min read


What to Do After a Lapse: Responding With Responsibility Instead of Shame
A lapse does not have to become a full relapse. Learn how to respond with honesty, responsibility and self-compassion, recognise what happened, reconnect with support and strengthen your recovery plan without getting trapped in shame.
Leigh-Anne Brierley
Sep 39 min read


The Early Warning Signs of Relapse We Often Miss
Relapse often begins long before someone drinks, uses or returns to an addictive behaviour. This post explores the early warning signs we can easily miss — from denial and isolation to slipping routines, resentment and complacency — and how recognising these patterns sooner can give us more time, support and choice in recovery.
Leigh-Anne Brierley
Sep 115 min read


Your Recovery Plan Is a Living Document, Not a Contract
I am a big believer in having a recovery plan. There is something incredibly useful about knowing what supports us, what our warning signs are, who we can reach out to and what we need to pay attention to when life starts becoming a little less manageable. I also believe there is enormous value in taking what is floating around in our heads and actually putting it down on paper, because a written plan can give us clarity, structure and something practical to return to when we
Leigh-Anne Brierley
Aug 209 min read
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