The stress of detox from alcohol addiction or drugs can be overwhelming for some people. In fact, stress often is the cause of relapses during recovery. It’s important to speak to a doctor while you detox to make sure that you are doing it safely. But once you have the all-clear, there are healthy ways to alleviate stress. Start a new exercise program to keep yourself distracted. Keep up healthy habits, particularly eating good foods and getting plenty of sleep. And you can also try therapy techniques for calm like meditation. Hopefully, you’ll find a healthy lifestyle that works for you, and the stress of detox will be a thing of the past.
How to Handle the Stress of Detox in a Healthy Way: Getting Clean Body and Spirit
Consult a Doctor
The stress of detox emotionally can be a lot for many people. But it can also put physical stress on your body. If you’ve been using substances for a long time, your body might have built up a dependency. You might suffer from withdrawal symptoms when you get sober. If this is the case, you’ll need to speak with a doctor to make sure that you can do this safely. They should also give you the green light for exercise before you begin a new routine.
Exercise
Exercise has been shown to help with the stress of any sort, and it can help you with the stress of detox as well. Try starting a new exercise routine. For example, you could find yoga or group classes at a gym. You can also join meetup groups for intramural sports like softball or kickball. Exercise helps your body produce feel-good hormones and also helps with your overall health. Try to get at least 30 minutes of exercise every day.
Healthy Habits
Handling the stress of detox is also easier if you establish healthy habits for the rest of your life. For instance, eating healthy foods can make you feel much better overall. Aim to get plenty of fresh fruits and veggies, natural meat, and whole grains. In addition, getting enough sleep is absolutely imperative for helping with stress. Aim to get 7-9 hours every single night.
Therapy
Finally, many therapy techniques can help you with the stress of detox. For example, meditation and deep breathing techniques can help you calm down in the moment, fall asleep, or distract you from an urge to drink. You can also try journaling, which has also been shown to help people with stress. Attending AA or NA meetings is a great way to connect to other people who can help you along the way. And of course, a traditional therapist or counselor and can provide you with plenty of helpful de-stressing advice.
The stress of detox from drugs or alcohol can affect your mind and your body. It’s important to find outlets to handle your stress so that you aren’t tempted to relapse. Speak to a doctor when you decide to abstain so that they can make sure you are handling it safely. If they clear you for exercise, consider picking up a new routine. Establish healthy eating and sleeping habits to get your body feeling good. And finally, consider traditional therapy techniques for calming your body and mind. Meditation, yoga, deep breathing, group meetings, and therapy sessions are all helpful ways to keep your mind off of your detox. Hopefully, you’ll be able to get clean and live a healthier, happier life free from the stress of substance abuse and detox.
