Stress and addiction go hand-in-hand. When many people feel stressed out from life’s challenges, they want to resort back to their addictive habit. That is why most addiction programs emphasize stress management. You need to learn various stress remedies so that you do not feel as tempted to resort back to your vice. Fortunately, there are many ways to recover from stress in your life that are simple to implement.
Identify Stressors
The first thing you need to determine is what causes you stress in life. If you are often overwhelmed by your responsibilities at work, then perhaps you should consider saying “No” when your boss asks you to take on a new assignment. You may experience stress during your commute to work, and if that is the case, then you should consider leaving 15 minutes earlier. Taking time to slow down will help you feel more relaxed. Finding these common threads that lead to triggers can help you reduce the amount of stress you experience every day.
Talk Out Problems
Your stress will only become amplified if you leave it bottled up. It is important to have a counselor, family member, or friend you can speak with from time to time. Simply getting your frustrations out in the open can help tremendously. You should also think about writing in a journal to let out your emotions.
Sleep Well
Stress management will become much easier if you get a good night’s rest. This means you should receive seven to eight hours of sleep nightly. Resting restores both your mind and body. If you have trouble going to bed, then you should practice good ritual techniques. Do not look at electronics an hour before bedtime. You should also try to get some exercise during the day to tire yourself out. Exercising is another good way to reduce stress, so it helps in multiple ways.
Practice Meditation or Yoga
If you do not know if you can commit to rigorous exercise, then you should at least take up yoga. It is still a form of exercise, and it forces you to focus on your breathing patterns. Taking even 15 minutes out of the day to focus on your thoughts will allow you to get away from the craziness of everyday life. It can also provide you some clarity, so you get some perspective on the things that stress you out. Meditation is another way to calm your body down and focus on your energy for a time. There are plenty of guided meditation apps to help with these including Headspace and Calm.
Take Care of Your Body
When people are stressed, they not only resort to their addictions, but they also turn to comfort food and lounging around the house. It is natural to feel stressed, but you should take this opportunity to take care of yourself. Eating healthy and exercising will be much better for you in the long run than eating junk food and watching television.
These stress remedies may help you avoid turning back to your addiction, and they can also prevent certain symptoms from developing. Stress can manifest itself in numerous ways, including headaches, upset stomach, loss of appetite, chest pains and dry mouth. You cannot avoid stress entirely, but you can change how you handle it.
