Recovery is the best choice you can make, but it requires a lot of effort on your part. Managing stress on top of that can prove to feel overwhelming at times. Substance abuse recovery is a difficult road to take, and it often comes with a considerable amount of stress. During treatment, The Guest House teaches a variety of stress management techniques that can prove extremely useful in a daily life of recovery.
Stress and Recovery
Times of stress can be a significant obstacle to recovery. Fortunately, several proven strategies can help you manage stress. These strategies range from lifestyle changes to different forms of relaxation. Learning how to cope with stress is an important part of a successful recovery journey.
Lifestyle Changes for Stress Management
Recovery is a big step that requires a tremendous change in your daily activities. The idea of adding other massive lifestyle changes to your regimen may seem like too much to handle in the beginning. However, small lifestyle changes can significantly impact how you cope with stress.
Sleep Habits
Studies have shown that sleep affects your ability to ward off stress. Although adopting a healthy sleep schedule may seem difficult at the outset of recovery, working in a regular circadian rhythm is worth it.
It’s undoubtedly important that you fall asleep. However, it’s equally important that you get a comfortable sleep that lasts long enough to wake up feeling rested. Give yourself plenty of time to fall asleep in the evening. This way, you have enough time to sleep through the night.
Exercise
It’s not surprising that exercise is good for you. You’ve probably heard this a lot. We all have. That’s because it’s true. Exercise triggers all the right neurotransmitters in your mind while at the same time exhausting the body. All the pent-up energy that you feed your stress can be diminished with a simple exercise regimen a few times a week.
Meditation and Yoga
Practicing mindfulness through meditation helps you process complicated thoughts and feelings. Contrary to what television and movies might indicate, meditation doesn’t require a quiet, dark room with candles and zen music in the background. Although that setting would be nice, it’s not always realistic. With practice, you can learn to practice mindful meditation anywhere to alleviate stress and anxiety.
Yoga’s effectiveness in alleviating stress is also well-documented. It is a fantastic way to treat the mind and body all at once. Yoga clears the mind while at the same time exercising the body, making it a dual threat to stress and anxiety.
Therapy for Stress
During your time in treatment, you will learn the value of a variety of therapeutic techniques that will help you cope with life’s challenges in recovery. In addition to therapy, the above-mentioned techniques can help you ensure a long-lasting relationship with recovery, even in times of great distress.
Life is going to throw challenges your way. When you’re starting your recovery, it’s important to provide yourself with all the tools you can use to keep relapse at bay. Treatment at The Guest House can help you start on the road to recovery and give you tools to improve the odds of its longevity along the way. Stress can be one of the biggest hurdles to overcome when fighting substance abuse and addiction. Give yourself all the advantages you can find. Call (855) 483-7800 for more information.