Stress is an inevitable part of life that can pose a risk for your recovery. Many addictions start during stressful times, and you may be wondering how you’ll manage to cope without the help of drugs or alcohol. The strategies for earning how to manage stress along with your addiction go hand in hand. Figuring out how to ease emotional strain makes it easier to avoid falling prey to a trigger such as an argument with your loved one.
You’ll also find that eliminating substance abuse from your life removes major stressors. When you get sober, you don’t have to worry about spending all of your money on drugs or whether or not you’ll get pulled over while driving. Being free of the stress that comes with addiction leaves your mind open and clearer so that you can focus on improving other aspects of your life.
Although it would be great if every bit of stress faded away after you got treatment, the reality is that you’ll still face some difficult times. Life is full of challenges, and you’ll start learning how to change your perspective on meeting them when you go through counseling in a treatment program. As you get sober, many of the big problems that you face will seem more manageable, and it just gets better with each new day you spend in sobriety.
Discover Healthy Coping Strategies for Stress
So, if you can’t pop open a bottle, then you might be wondering what you do when stress rears its ugly head. In treatment, you’ll learn these strategies and more that all help you to feel emotionally healthy no matter what happens.
- Follow a routine
- Work out your frustration
- Practice meditation
- Find relaxing hobbies
- Spend time in nature
- Talk it out
- Know when to step away
In sobriety, sticking to a routine solves many problems. Everyone’s routine looks a little different, but you’ll find that doing things such as eating at the same time each day helps you to avoid developing cravings. You’ll also discover that your mornings go so much more smoothly when you know what you’re going to wear for the day and wake up around the same time. Making sure to follow your routine also means that you’re more likely to go to meetings that help you manage your stress in recovery.
When you’re not hungover, exercising no longer seems like an impossible chore. Instead, you’ll find that going for a walk or doing some weight lifting helps you to stimulate endorphin production in your brain which gives you a natural high. Working out also gives you an opportunity to think about your problems in new ways. You might just find the solution to an issue that you’re having at work or school after you go for a long walk outside. Spending time in nature has additional benefits for stress relief. The sunlight helps your body to produce vitamin D, and being in green spaces sends messages to your brain that it is time to relax. Building a strong support network is also an important part of managing stress in recovery.
If you’ve been feeling isolated, then you won’t have to worry about that anymore. As part of your recovery plan, you’ll put together a list of people that you can turn to when you’re feeling overwhelmed. Meeting with counselors regularly gives you a professional view of how to handle common life challenges. Your counselors will help you learn more about what makes you tick and how your personality and lifestyle influence your responses to stressors. Over time, you’ll begin to develop strategies that quickly help you return to a calmer state of mind.
You’ll also begin to cultivate friendships with people who have also gone through the recovery process. Calling up a sponsor or someone else who has years of sobriety under their belt can give you insight into new ways to handle a situation. Stress management is only possible when you have a sober mind that is capable of staying calm so that you can rationally work through challenges. We’ve got ways to help you get your stress under control. Call us 24/7 at 833-610-1174.