Getting sober from drugs or alcohol is difficult enough, but add to that handling stress during recovery and it can be overwhelming. Recovery and withdrawal come with their fair share of stress. However, if you are also dealing with outside pressures from your family, work, or relationships, it can get harder to concentrate on your sobriety. Learn to channel that stress in healthy ways so you don’t give in to temptation. Writing things down is very helpful for many people, as is living as healthy a lifestyle as possible. Keep yourself busy and don’t forget to ask for help when you need it. Hopefully, learning to cope with stress without resorting to alcohol or drugs will help you overcome any hurdles to your sobriety.
Handling Stress During Recovery: Don’t Let it Derail You
Write Things Down
One thing that’s very helpful with handling stress during recovery for many is to write things down. Journaling is a very meditative process and forces you to practice mindfulness. It can be calming and also help you gain some perspective on things. Try writing down your emotions, or whatever thoughts come to you, drawing doodles, or whatever helps relieve anxiety.
Health and Wellness
Handling stress during recovery is much easier when you are living a healthy lifestyle. Get plenty of sleep each night, and give yourself breaks during the day to collect your thoughts. Try to eat whole, filling foods, and concentrate on fruits and veggies. Finally, exercise can be a great stress-reliever, so go out for a walk, jog, hike, swim, or whatever sounds like fun.
Stay Busy
Staying busy can also help with handling stress during recovery. Keeping yourself busy will prevent you from having time to dwell on your temptations to drink or use drugs. It can also help get you up and out of the house each day, which is also helpful for dealing with stress. Plan out activities throughout your day, especially if certain times are always difficult for you.
Ask for Help
Finally, handling stress during recovery is sometimes too difficult to handle alone. Don’t hesitate to reach out and ask for help or support when you need it. Find a counselor or therapist who can help you navigate this difficult journey. Or call up a close friend and chat with them about your recovery. When things get difficult, lean on your support network. That’s what they’re there for!
Getting clean and sober and handling stress during recovery often go hand in hand. Not only is the recovery process difficult, but you also might be trying to repair relationships or be dealing with outside pressure. Learning to cope in healthy ways is a useful tool that will serve you well. Try channeling some of your stress into a journal. Give yourself the best chance possible by getting plenty of sleep, exercise, and eating healthy and fulfilling foods. Keep yourself busy, especially at happy hour or any time of day that is particularly difficult. And finally, reach out for support from friends, family, or a counselor. By learning to manage your stress, you’ll prepare yourself for the journey ahead of a lifetime of sobriety.
