Tips for Dealing with Stress in Sobriety
The decision to quit the drugs that threatened to take hold of your life is always a good one, but it’s rarely easy. On the path to sobriety, stress can come from many sources, both internal and external. From friends who chastise you for not having a drink with them to the constant stress of resisting your addiction, it’s important to manage the various challenges you’ll encounter as you regain control of your life. Here are some tips for dealing with stress in sobriety.
Managing Stress on Your Path to Sobriety
It’s unrealistic to expect a stress-free journey to sobriety. Challenges and temptations will come from every angle, and it’s up to you to be prepared to handle them in a healthy, responsible way. These tips may help:
Cultivate a Healthy Support System
It’s not a matter of whether temptation is going to become an issue, it’s a matter of when. In your most vulnerable moments, having even one or two reliable people you can call for support can mean the difference between relapse and sobriety. Throughout your sober journey, it’s always a good idea to seek out those who may be valuable parts of your support system and who will be there when you need them.
Develop Healthy Stress Relief Activities
Everyone feels stress on a daily basis, and it’s important to choose responsible methods of managing it. The same is true for addicts. Although previously, unhealthy approaches to dealing with stress like drinking and drugs may have been used, it’s important to find new hobbies and activities that support a low-stress lifestyle. Here are some examples:
- Join a yoga or martial arts class
- Find friends to hike or go on walks with
- Start a dedicated workout plan
- Join a gym and go regularly
- Hire a personal trainer
- See a psychiatrist to gain perspective
Don’t Underestimate a Healthy Diet and Good Night’s Sleep
Although both eating and sleeping are basic vital functions, both can contribute to your stress levels when not done properly.
Sleep is vital for allowing the body the time it needs to rebuild cells and tissues and to recharge its various organs and systems. It’s critical to get eight hours or more of sleep each day to maintain a healthy mind that is capable of dealing with stress in a responsible way.
Similarly, a poor diet can make you feel overly stressed and sluggish, contributing to an unhealthy lifestyle. While many dietary ideologies are out there, simply avoiding excessive sugar and choosing fresh foods will go a long way toward fueling your body and keeping it well equipped to deal with the stress you’ll encounter.
We Offer a Stress-Free Space That’s Perfect for Your Recovery
Returning home too early can greatly increase your chance of falling back into old habits. If you want to take your time and work through the 12 Step Recovery Process in a peaceful location, give us a call at Myrtle Beach Recovery. Schedule a tour to see how we can best assist you.
