New Program Launch, Hidden Hazards at Work, and Sober Holidays
If you're starting and ending your day scrolling, or numbing out with alcohol, recreational drugs, food, gaming, or busyness, and you know it's costing you your energy, presence, and joy; this challenge is for you!
The New Year Dopamine Reset Challenge is a 31-Day community-based challenge brought you in partnership by Integrating Wellness Solutions and All Life is Yoga. This challenge is designed to help you:
- Gain awareness of your autopilot habits and the events surrounding them (scrolling, substances, overworking, etc)
- Build simple practices that stick and actually benefit your wellbeing
- Feel more present and engaged in your own life and in your relationships
- Kick off 2026 with intention and momentum
You will choose ONE thing to either reduce or stop for 31 days, and you'll choose THREE of our FIVE Nourishing Habits to complete every day for 31 days in January!
Early Bird Discount Ends December 15th! Secure Your Spot Today!
Choose from FOUR date/time options. We are offering THREE in-person options and ONE virtual!
- Mondays, 6:30-8am AK (All Life is Yoga, Eagle River)
- Tuesdays, 1:30-3pm AK (All Life is Yoga, Eagle River)
- Saturdays, 12-1:30pm AK (All Life is Yoga, Eagle River)
- Tuesdays, 4-5:30pm AK/ 5pm PT/ 7pm CT/ 8pm ET (VIRTUAL)
Bonus for all groups:
- Virtual Kickoff Call: December 22nd at 12pm AK to prepare for the challenge
- Celebration + 60-Day Action Planning Call: February 3rd at 12pm AK
- Virtual Book Club: February 2nd at 4pm AK (Dopamine Nation by Anna Lembke, MD)
You'll receive curated resources, and a supportive community that keeps you motivated, accountable, and inspired. This is your chance to reset your habits and kick this year off with health and intention. I hope to see you there!
Two weeks ago, the construction world was rattled by the murder of Amber Czech, a 20-year old female welder who was bludgeoned to death by a 40-year-old male coworker. The fear that many women carry on jobsites came to life and it has been jarring.
If there is a silver lining, more people than ever are finally talking about the fact that one of the leading causes of fatalities for women at work in the US is homicide. People are finally talking about the need for safe and respectful workplaces. People are finally trying to name what we have avoided for too long in the US: physical hazards are not the only hazards in the workplace.
Psychosocial hazards are real, and they can cause very real harm, including fatality. This is why I started my company. I can't sit idly by when I know there are systems and behaviors that are just as detrimental as physical jobsite hazards. My training in Total Worker HealthĀ® gave me the language, the framework and the access to a network of incredible people that have been naming and working on solutions for decades.
Anyone out there that heard about Amber and is wondering how to bring this conversation into your workplace, let me know and I would be happy to share resources. If you are in construction, I encourage you to look at the free resources from the Washington State Construction Center of Excellence on Gender Based Violence Prevention.
Ultimately, workplace initiatives that prevent harm and promote health, safety, respect, and wellbeing benefit EVERYONE. The workplaces that don't, consistently harm the people with the least authority to affect change. If you are in a position of influence in your workplace, now is the time to own your impact. Be the champion! I encourage you to check out the NIOSH TWH webpage, as well as ISO 45003. These are guides and frameworks to help you and your team design a healthier, safer workplace for everyone.
Starting my business, I was advised that I need to ensure my marketing is focused on the benefits: healthy workplaces save money, reduces unscheduled absences, reduce turnover, increase innovation...and while all of that is true, today I want you to know the real reason that I do what I do. The reason I do this work is because people's lives depend on it. People die when we choose to divest from health and safety and respect at work, in our communities, and in our own lives.
It's time to make systems changes so this never happens again. If you need free resources, a consultation, or a presentation/workshop to get your team started, please reach out: [email protected]
Whether you are planning a gathering or party at home or work, or you are a person maintaining your sobriety while attending gatherings and parties, or you are just someone attending parties - listen up!
Party Planners
There are so many options for non-alcoholic beverages these days that there really is no excuse for leaving the non-drinkers with water or iced tea this year! There are really great options for NA bubbly, wines, beers, and mocktails.
If you find yourself with a gut reaction to this conversation of: "No way, that's their choice, they can drink water". Or, "The NA drinks cost the same as the alcoholic, no way!"
I want to ask you a question: what made you choose the drink options you did for your party? Was it to pair with the food, was it because you wanted everyone to get hammered, or was it because you want people to feel welcome and enjoy their time together?
It's not your fault if your knee jerk response was not supportive. This is part of the stigma we have perpetuated by not being conscious of the why behind our knee jerk responses. You might uncover thoughts like, "those in sobriety deserve to suffer" or "they made their bed, they need to lie in it". You might not be consciously aware of these constructs that have taken root in your mind. I challenge you to challenge them, because I am guessing what's underneath all of that is your heart. The one that wants people around you to feel welcome and enjoy their time together.
Here are some of my go-to resources for NA drinks and mocktail recipes:
Mindful Mocktail, Herb & Orchid, Athletic Brewing,
Be brave and go to your local liquor store and ask about the non-alcoholic options, and when in doubt, at least have some sparkling water and fruit to spice it up!
Sober Party-Goer
There are so many gatherings and parties during the holidays! It's time to get your mind right to maintain your sobriety. Here are some quick tips:
- Get good sleep the night before.
- Prioritize movement before the event whether it's full blown exercise or just a walk.
- Don't arrive hungry! When we're hungry, we make poor choices!
- Have an exit strategy, and don't depend on someone else if that someone else is a heavy drinker.
- Take breaks if you need to. Step outside for some deep breaths, pretend you have a phone call or sneak into the bathroom for a quiet reset.
- Have an accountability buddy. If it's not someone that's there, have someone to check in with.
- Have something to do the next morning and make your decisions based on how you want to feel the next morning.
- Choose your drink and keep it in hand. No one cares what's in your glass, they just care your glass is full!
Bystander
Realize that there are people around you that have been in long-term recovery, or are newly sober, or are choosing not to drink right now. Don't pressure them, don't make jokes. A great way to show support is by helping them ask the server or bartender for non-alcoholic options and if there are none, help them get creative with whatever is there- maybe it's ginger ale and a slice of lime, or cranberry juice and soda water. Congratulate them for their strength and courage and tenacity to make the choices that are best for their wellbeing, which ultimately is best for thier family, coworkers, and community!
I am wishing all of you a safe, healthy, happy holiday season filled with connection and belonging! If we haven't connected in a while, reach out and say hello [email protected]
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