By CCI Team Big Think’s recent article The Most Debilitating Disease in the World Isn’t Just in Your Head discussed the World Health Organization’s (WHO) announcement that Major Depressive Disorder, more commonly known as depression is now the leading cause of poor health and disability in the world, with an 18% spike in diagnoses […] The post Depression Is…All Around Us appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/depression-isall-around-us/
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By CCI Team We live in a day and age where sex appeal is everything. However, it is up for discussion for how it is defined. In today’s society, the media tells us how to alter our physical appearance, increase muscle tone, what clothing style is “in”, and how one should wear makeup. As […] The post Secrets in Sex Appeal appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/secrets-sex-appeal/ By CCI Team We live in a world where information is easily attainable, and various sources are available to not only supply the information we are seeking, but also supply support for our views, whatever they may be. While it would be easy to search only for sources and statistics that support our own […] The post Is Psychiatry to Blame for Rising Drug Dependence? appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/psychiatry-blame-rising-drug-dependence/ According to the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) there was an estimated 35,200 deaths related to motor vehicles in 2015; a 7.7 percent increase from 2014 (NHTSA, 2016). The NHTSA is constantly working on additional methods to increase motor vehicle safety, as the numbers show that the number of fatalities is nothing to be […] The post DUI Arrests in Illinois Cities – A Review and Tips to Avoid Driving Drunk appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/dui-arrests-illinois-cities-review-tips-avoid-driving-drunk/ By CCI Team So, you’ve been found to be Driving Under the Influence (DUI) and your license has been suspended, now what? The good news is that most states, Illinois included, allows first time DUI offenders to drive with the installation of a Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) in their vehicle if they […] The post The What’s… and When’s… of Breath Alcohol Ignition Interlock Device (BAIID) Usage appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/whats-whens-breath-alcohol-ignition-interlock-device-baiid-usage/ Donald John Trump, is a 71-year-old, real estate mogul, former reality TV star and the 45th and current president of the United States. When he announced his candidacy in 2015 many considered this to be a mere publicity stunt and considered his chances slim given his lack of experience in the political realm. Additionally, Trump […] The post The Curious Case of Donald Trump – Can an Objective Diagnosis be Completed Based on Tweets? appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/curious-case-donald-trump-can-objective-diagnosis-completed-based-tweets/ By CCI Team Many of us are aware of the Colorado movie theater shooting that took place back in July 2012. As one of the worst shootings recorded, murderer James Holmes was later tested for a series of mental disorders. As a result, these diagnoses later lead to some believing he couldn’t be held […] The post The Batman Killer appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/the-batman-killer/ By CCI Team We all grew up hearing the saying, “sticks and stones may break my bones, but words will never hurt me.” However, this statement isn’t entirely true. No matter the intention or meaning, words do have impact whether we like it or not. When it comes to verbal abuse, many do not […] The post Words and Their Impact appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/words-and-their-impact/ By Anna Jankowska MA LCPC Whenever you are arrested for a DUI whether it is in the state of Illinois or in any other state, you have to undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation. The purpose of this evaluation is to determine the degree of the person’s alcohol and/or drug use and what risk […] The post What is Drug and Alcohol Evaluation? appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/drug-alcohol-evaluation/ By CCI Team The phrase “duty to warn” is well known amongst mental health practitioners. In his March 2017 article for his Avoiding Liability Bulletin Richard Leslie discusses the importance of understanding the Duty to Warn/Duty to Protect within your state of practice. As part of day to day practice those in the mental […] The post The Importance of Duty to Warn / Duty to Protect appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/importance-duty-warn-duty-protect/ By Brendan Cole – Graduate Intern Recently, Mad in America, a website that publishes topics regarding Science, Psychiatry, and Social Justice, posted an interesting article called, “Adam Maier-Clayton: Assisted Suicide and Mental Illness.” Author Susan Stefan explains how the life and death of Adam Maier-Clayton should raise future discussion and debate for the future […] The post The Question of Assisted Suicide appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/question-assisted-suicide/ By Brendan Cole – Graduate Intern Recently, many are aware of the death of singer Chester Bennington, who committed suicide this past month. From heartfelt social media posts, to concerts dedicated in his name, the loss of the singer impacted the music world majorly. According to American Psychological Association, 2% of all deaths in […] The post Desperation: You’re Not Alone appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/desperation-youre-not-alone/ By Megan Zerfahs – Graduate Intern Typically, mental health professionals are not mandated to report past incidents or suspicions of adult violence towards another adult—domestic violence included. However, some states have laws requiring practitioners to take action when the client is an assault (physical or emotional) victim. Mental health employees would be wise to […] The post Do Mental Health Practitioners Report Relationship Abuse? appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/mental-health-practitioners-report-relationship-abuse/ By Steven R. Roach As stated in my previous article, the keys to a successful Illinois Secretary of State Driver’s License Reinstatement Hearing are preparation and consistency. While at the Secretary of State Formal Hearing Offices, I often find myself observing many unrepresented petitioners/motorists being called upon to speak with an Attorney representing the […] The post I Want My Illinois Driver’s License Back!!! – How to Prepare for Hearing appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/want-illinois-drivers-license-back-prepare-hearing/ A few months after his divorce with ex-wife Angelina Jolie, Brad Pitt was reportedly struggling to quit alcohol and drugs, in addition to recovering from the split. His story was featured in an exclusive interview with GQ magazine. He described the period after the divorce as “a weird moment” and confessed to having had a […] The post Brad Pitt’s Recovery from Drug Addiction and Divorce appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/brad-pitts-recovery-drug-addiction-divorce/ By Anna Jankowska MA LCPC Success in private practice is not only defined by financial gains but also by our fulfillment. Many counselors do not consider counseling practice as a business and believe that it is mainly their passion. It is important that they love what they do, but they also should learn business […] The post The Importance of Niche in Private Practice appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/importance-niche-private-practice/ By Interlockinstall.com More often than not, first-time DUI offenders get off with light sentences. Unless they were involved in a mishap that killed or seriously injured someone, people convicted of a DUI for the first time are usually just meted stiff fines, community service, probation or minimum prison time. Some states also require first-time […] The post The Benefits of Installing an Ignition Interlock Device appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/benefits-installing-ignition-interlock-device/ By Anna Jankowska MA LCPC Many counselors dream of opening a private practice, even when they are still at school. Unfortunately, they don’t find much understanding and support anywhere. Their teachers don’t encourage them to pursue their goals and quite often discourage them from seeking their life dream. This lack of encouragement from the […] The post Common Myths to Opening Private Practice appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/common-myths-opening-private-practice/ Driver’s license reinstatement is a lengthy process and requires adequate preparation. There are certain things that need to take place in order to ensure that your preparation will be smooth.
You need to obtain a good drug and alcohol evaluation that contains consistent drug and alcohol history explains your symptoms and treatment verification and does not have any errors. You have to memorize your evaluation and all additional documents that your evaluator will prepare. Take advantage of the knowledge of the evaluator and ask him pertinent questions. Ensure that he meets with you in order to go over the entire evaluation and explains everything in such a way that you have all your questions answered. If you don’t understand something at the time of the evaluation, you will not understand it at the time of the hearing. Do not assume that the hearing officer will not ask you some of the questions and that you do not have to remember the details from your past. Many clients make a mistake not paying attention to details of their evaluation and don’t even read their evaluation. Some clients even say that is impossible to remember all the details and they cannot believe that they will be asked details from 20 years ago pertaining to their drinking and drug use history. Your evaluator is your best ally. He or she wants to help you make the evaluation consistent and will often point to inconsistencies. It is your job not the evaluators to make your evaluation consistent. The hearing officer is knowledgeable not only in the process of the hearing but also about the substance abuse problems. They not only know when you’re inconsistent but also when you’re untruthful.
The entire preparation could be divided into several parts.
The 1st one concentrates on questions regarding each DUI arrest and contains questions such as:
The 2nd part goes over your entire drug use and drinking history and contains questions such as:
Make sure you know how to answer all questions regarding every single substance that you used throughout your life.
The 3rd part goes over symptoms of alcohol and drug use and contains questions such as:
The 4th part emphasizes questions regarding alcohol abuse and dependency and contains questions such as:
The 5th part goes over your support system involvement. If you are a chemically dependent person you need to proof attendance at traditional self-help groups, such as NA or AA, or non-traditional such as religious meetings or others. Regardless of the meetings that you have been attending, they all have to be specifically structured in order to help you in recovery. Make sure that your support system is sound and you can describe how it works. You need to be involved in the program and your involvement should transpire during the conversation with the hearing officer.
The 6th part goes over your past and current criminal record. You will be asked questions pertaining to your drug and alcohol offenses as well as questions regarding probation, parole, etc. You will also be asked questions regarding driving on a suspended or revoked license.
The 7th part is regarding establishment of hardship. You need to explain the difficulty you endure in life due to lack of driver’s license. The Secretary of State allows for a few situations where you can obtain an RDP in order to lessen your hardship. These situations pertain to employment, school, support recovery program, medical condition, family education and daycare. This means that you can obtain a hardship license in order to fulfil all these life obligations but you have to explain all these obligations, showing proof of hardship.
All the above points need to be taken into account in order to qualify for an RDP (Restricted Driving Permit License). The better your preparation the more chances you have to receive your RDP the first time you go to the hearing. Each client is assessed by the Secretary of State Hearing Officer individually. Do not assume that just because you qualify for a full license reinstatement you will actually get it. Most of the clients first receive an RDP and need to proof to the Secretary of State that they can be responsible drivers and then they will qualify for a full license reinstatement.
If you want more information about the evaluation process please contact us at: (773) 777-6767 The post How to Prepare Yourself for a Hearing appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/how-to-prepare-yourself-for-a-hearing/ Substance abuse is an issue that is more prevalent than many people think, and it can affect anyone, including adults who are employed. A 2011 survey found that eight percent of adults who work full time and 10 percent of adults who work part time have a drug problem. Those are pretty high numbers! Employers who read those figures may be concerned about the impact drug abuse can have on the workplace and rightly so since substance abuse can indeed impact employee performance. But that is not the only area of life drug abuse affects. Substance abuse can impact all areas of life and is a problem for not only employed adults but people from all walks of life. Employers, family members, friends and teachers have the potential to put a stop to the damaging effects of substance abuse, so everyone should be aware of the signs that someone is abusing drugs. Below are fifteen signs that someone has a drug problem.
There are many other signs of drug use, and the signs can be different depending on what substance is involved. The important thing to remember is that if someone is experience a drug problem, there is professional help available. The post 15 Signs to Know that Somebody is Using Drugs appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/15-signs-know-somebody-using-drugs/ Many clients believe that they cannot get the drivers’ license back because it costs a lot of money and it’s very difficult. Some of the clients simply give up because that have received prior denials and they simply don’t know how to even decipher the jargon of the denial letter. It’s a big mistake to think that it is impossible to get your driver’s license back and to give up. A few things need to take place for a person to get their driver’s license or RDP (Restricted Driving Permit) after a denial of driving privileges issued by the Secretary of State Office. First of all, you need to have a good evaluation prepared by an experienced evaluator. Everything in this evaluation has to be consistent and the evaluation cannot have any discrepancies. A good evaluator takes into account client’s drinking and drug use history, prior evaluations, significant other interviews, treatment verification, etc. Secondly, an evaluator needs to spend time with a client going over his or her denial letter and reconciling those discrepancies between what the client had said in his prior evaluation and what he or she stated during the hearing. Many clients do not understand the process of the hearing and a good evaluator will go over everything and explain the nuances of the documents, hearing preparation process and mistakes that the client made during the hearing. The difficult language of the denial letter should not be a barrier to applying for another hearing. The more time passes the more difficult it is for the client to relearn all the information both from the evaluation as well as from his treatment. The client needs to take the time to prepare for the hearing adequately and this will ensure that he or she will be approved for a permit or a full license reinstatement. There are many reasons why the client would receive a denial letter after the hearing. One of the reasons is being inconsistent with the drinking and drug use history. It is imperative that the person memorizes his or her evaluation and reports exactly what’s in the evaluation during the hearing. Many clients don’t understand how they could possibly remember their life drinking and drug use history and they think that they’re not expected to memorize it. Another reason for the denial is a lack of understanding of the symptoms of substance use disorder. Clients either underreport or overreport their symptoms. This is due to the fact that they do not understand the meaning of the symptoms. This problem could be easily overcome by spending time with a client and going over their symptoms and explaining the language that is being used during the hearing. Many clients underreport their symptoms due to fear of further legal consequences or over report their symptoms due to being coached by their well-meaning friends. Clients’ friends sometimes have similar circumstances with denial letters and believe that over-reporting is what the Secretary of State is actually looking for in granting an RDP or a full license. Clients are being coached by their friends receiving incorrect information and repeating some mistakes over and over again. Admitting to too many symptoms is not helpful and creates additional difficulties for the evaluator and the client alike. The third reason for denial is receiving incomplete or inaccurate treatment verification from a treatment provider. Since some treatment providers don’t perform drug and alcohol assessments they don’t communicate with an assessor who completes such evaluations. Clients also don’t understand their treatment verification and can’t explain the discrepancies between their treatment level completed and their symptoms. Some treatment providers don’t adequately explain the additional treatment requirements and dependency and non-dependency issues. This creates a problem for a future evaluator, especially if the client considers himself or herself non-dependent, but his or her treatment verification states that he or she is dependent. The fourth reason for denial is a lack of solid support system, that assures the Secretary of State Office that the client maintains sobriety. Clients are often told by providers to attend self-help groups but they don’t adhere to the recommendations. If they don’t have a specially designated support system, either traditional or non-traditional, it would be impossible for them to obtain either an RDP or full license privileges. These are just some reasons for denials during the hearing process. There are many more that have to do with minimizations when filling out questionnaires or incomplete paperwork from significant others/friends or self-help groups. The more seriously we take the process of the reinstatement, the better we will be prepared when we go to the actual hearing. The best advice is, to be honest during your evaluation, memorize the evaluation after it is completed and present the same information during the hearing.
Anna Jankowska MA LCPC CADC The post Why Was I Denied my Driver’s License at the Hearing? appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/denied-drivers-license-hearing/ To those who aren’t fully familiar with Fifty Shades of Grey, the book and film may come across as just some woman’s fantasy of meeting a rich, good looking man, who looks after their every need. However, it goes much deeper than that. The situations portrayed in the film are too similar to ones many women do experience in real life, but it’s not a happy ending. They are situations involving controlling men for their own pleasure. Christian Grey may be a handsome millionaire, but beneath the surface, he is a deeply disturbed man whose dark past dictates his relationships. The story begins with him stalking Anastasia Steele after she interviews him. Eventually, he pushes a contract onto Ana that says he will have complete control over her, including when they have sex and what she will eat. He takes her virginity with no emotional attachment whatsoever as if he is doing her a favor. She may be willing, but he knows how naïve Ana is. He has also snuck into her apartment and questions her about her friends. What do Researchers Say about Emotional & Domestic Abuse in the movie?An analysis by researchers showed there was emotional abuse and sexual violence taking place in almost every interaction between the two characters*. During a time when it is trying to be taught that “no means no,” that certainly isn’t the case in Fifty Shades. Ana protests at some of the Christian’s actions. He responds by threatening to tie her feet up and gag her too. Of course, it is assumed this is okay because she signed a contract, but we know that it most certainly is not. He threatens to punish her, all for his sexual gratification. He will “take” her when he is angry and use alcohol to lower Ana’s inhibitions. Yet, Christian somehow gets away with it, presumably for being rich and handsome and deeply sexual. Stalking, dictating what you eat, who your friends are, insistence on being ready for sex whenever they want, and physical harm for sexual pleasure despite being told “no” are all situations that someone may experience with domestic abuse. The feelings, or confusion of, that Ana experiences are also a typical victim of domestic abuse behavior. She “obeys”, then says she can’t and won’t put up with it, following with her declaring her love for him, even after getting the beating of a lifetime with a belt in a room that is meant for sexual play, but resembles more of a Tudor torture chamber. Fictional But Troubling for Domestic Abuse VictimsThere are many fans of Fifty Shades who say they know it is a work of fiction, yet still swoon over Christian Grey, declaring him romantic for all his stalking/break-ins/beatings. Shockingly, there are even excuses made for him due to his disturbing past. This isn’t the message that women should be getting. Yes, it is a work of fiction, and the idea of domestic abuse was probably not the intention of the author of the book, but the situations are not a fantasy for many women who have found themselves a victim of domestic abuse. The post Why Does the Fifty Shades Movie Look Like Domestic Abuse? appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/fifty-shades-movie-look-like-domestic-abuse/ Drivers with a commercial driver’s license have much stricter regulations. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) sets the minimum standards for commercial driver’s licenses (CDLs), but the issuance and administration of the CDL remains a function of the state. Most states do follow the FMCSA regulations when it comes to impaired driving. A commercial DUI is serious business. Drivers who fall under the FMCSA regulations include:
According to the FMSCA, there is no exception for volunteer drivers. A person who is driving the church bus, but does not get paid to do so, is included in the scope and intent of the CDL regulations. Compensation is irrelevant when it comes to commercial drivers.
Blood Alcohol Limits for Commercial DriversCommercial drivers have more responsibility when they are behind the wheel. Their cargo might be passengers or hazardous material. An accident would pose a serious risk to public safety. The FMCSA sets a 0.04 percent blood alcohol content limit for commercial drivers. In addition, commercial drivers are not supposed to drive a commercial vehicle for four hours following a drink of alcohol. Commercial drivers give consent to testing by driving a commercial motor vehicle. This is called implied consent. Refusing to take a chemical or breath test will almost certainly result in an automatic license suspension. The FMCSA holds that a refusal to take the BAC test is the equivalent of pleading guilty to a DUI. It does no good to refuse a BAC test.
DUI PenaltiesIn accidents involving commercial vehicles, law enforcement can administer a BAC test to the driver, but the employer will almost certainly request the driver be tested for controlled substances under FMCSA §382.303. Should a driver have a concentration of 0.04 percent BAC or higher, not only does the driver face criminal and administrative penalties as any driver would who is facing a commercial DUI, but the penalties are much higher. For example, it could result in a 1-year disqualification. It might take 10 years before the driver would be eligible for reinstatement for a major violation of CDL regulations. In addition, commercial drivers are required to report any traffic violation to their employer, even if the incident occurs on personal time. A DUI conviction could prevent a person from maintaining employment, should his or her license get revoked or suspended for a DUI. The stakes are much higher for drivers with a CDL when they drive after drinking alcohol.
Commercial DUI Charges Are SeriousCommercial drivers may live in one state and drive all across the country. Dealing with a DUI in a state where you do not live can be even more difficult than having to face charges in your own hometown. Commercial drivers face the same penalties as non-commercial drivers who receive a DUI, but a commercial DUI can destroy a career. It would be beneficial to consult with an attorney before making decisions about the future. The post Commercial Drivers Held to a Higher Standard When It Comes to Driving Under the Influence appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/commercial-drivers-held-higher-standard-comes-driving-influence/ Types of Drug TestingDrug testing is becoming increasingly common during the job application process, as part of random workplace drug testing, and as a condition of probation. Individuals who have not used illicit substances occasionally find themselves subjected to positive drug tests. Blood, hair, urine, or saliva testing may be requested. Drug testing looks for alcohol as well as certain prescription medications and illegal substances. Amphetamines, barbiturates, benzodiazepines (such as Xanax and Valium), cocaine, designer drugs (bath salts, MDMA, etc.), marijuana, opioids (narcotics including heroin or prescription opiates such as codeine), and PCP (phencyclidine) can all be detected by drug testing. A common type of drug test is called an immunoassay test. If this test produces a positive result, the laboratory may follow up with a GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry) test, which greatly reduces the chances of a false positive. Can a Drug Test Lead to a False Positive?False positives on urine drug screenings are uncommon, but no testing method is 100% reliable, and false positives do happen. Some common causes of false positives include: • Antidepressants. Sertraline (Zoloft) can cause a false positive reading for benzodiazepine. Bupropion (Wellbutrin) can cause a false positive for amphetamines. Drug Testing Myths• Passive marijuana smoke can cause a false positive. This is not a valid reason for a false positive; the amount of marijuana compounds the body ingests from passively breathing marijuana smoke is well below the cut-off level detected by the drug screenings. The post Can a Drug Test Lead to a False Positive? appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/can-drug-test-lead-false-positive/ People who hold high-powered positions or are required to work substantial overtime often struggle to find the time to pursue personal goals or devote the attention to their families that they deserve. The stress that comes from trying to provide for your family while still being present is all too real. It can sometimes lead people to self-medicate with drugs or alcohol, which can contribute to depression, addiction, or even suicidal ideation. Here are a few tips to get the best of both worlds without venturing into dangerous habits. Be Mindful About Social and Work-Related Drinking Some professionals enjoy grabbing a drink with coworkers after a long day at the office, and for many people it’s a harmless way to blow off steam. Just be conscious of how often you go and how much you drink while you’re out. Limit yourself to a drink or two, and be sure you’re drinking water at the same time. Post-work drinks can be a great way to bond with your colleagues, but too many can lead to some unprofessional antics you might regret later. Plus, the longer and more often you’re out, the less time you have to spend with your family. You might even discover you prefer to have a soda or iced tea instead of an alcoholic drink. That way, you can still reap the benefits of spending off-hours time with your coworkers without running the risk of overindulging. Define What Balance Means to You The truth is that there is no one-size-fits-all approach to achieving harmony between work and home, because success looks different to everyone. The first step in working towards greater harmony is to define specifically what that looks like to you. Does it mean attending every baseball game or sitting down for a family meal every evening? Perhaps it means being able to unplug and devote your undivided attention to your family one day each week. The key to achieving the ideal balance is to know precisely what it means to you. Only then can you set realistic, actionable goals and work towards making your vision a reality. Make Deliberate Choices To avoid feeling overworked and overwhelmed, people faced with these circumstances must master the art of making deliberate choices. You may find that it’s sometimes necessary to tell your boss that you’re not able to work overtime so that you can attend your daughter’s dance recital. Or, you might decide to turn down an opportunity that’s likely to take more time away from your family, perhaps requiring you to work out of town during the week. Whatever choices you’re faced with, evaluate the pros and cons carefully and make deliberate decisions in your and your family’s best interests. If you’re accustomed to coming home and having a glass of wine or a couple beers as a way to unwind, make the conscious decision to take a few nights off from drinking each week. Instead, switch to a tall glass of water or a nice mug of herbal tea on those nights. Not only do you want to reduce the chances of your nightly ritual escalating, but taking this kind of break from alcohol and switching to a healthier alternative could help your body detox more easily, allowing you to get better sleep and feel more rejuvenated come morning. Schedule Time for Everything Some busy professionals swear by a running to-do list, while others find the never-ending nature of such lists overwhelming. Whether you’re a list-maker or a roll-with-the-punches type of person, scheduling can help you stay on task and better balance the demands of work and home. Scheduling blocks of time for work tasks, meetings, and appointments as well as baseball games, dance recitals, and events at your child’s school will help you avoid overlap and enable you to better manage your time. Lists are great for outlining what you need to do, but schedules will increase the odds that you’ll actually get it done. Prioritize Taking Care of You If you tend to sacrifice your own needs to be there for others, you might actually be setting yourself up for failure. While it may seem like you have no choice when there are simply not enough hours in the day, the truth is that prioritizing self-care is the best way to be present and be your best self when you are serving others. How can you prioritize self-care for better harmony between work and home? Make sure that you get enough sleep each night, eat a well-balanced, healthy diet, avoid overindulging in alcohol, and take time to exercise regularly. When you’re well-rested and your body is getting the right mix of vital nutrients, you’ll perform better and be more productive at both work and home. Productivity, of course, means that you’ll progress through work tasks with greater ease, reducing the odds that you’ll fall behind and end up missing out on quality family time to catch up. When you learn how to make deliberate choices, schedule your time effectively, monitor work-related drinking, and take care of your body and mind, you might just find that making the transition back home might be more within reach than you think. The post Creating Harmony: Balancing the Demands Between Work and Home appeared first on Counseling Center of Illinois. via Counseling Center of Illinois https://www.duiillinois.com/creating-harmony-balancing-demands-work-home/ |
Counseling Center of Illinois provides DUI evaluations for license reinstatement and DUI classes, along with other counseling services and classes in Chicago, IL, and the surrounding Illinois suburbs. |