Sometimes “life” happens. Things like excruciatingly slow traffic during rush hour, disagreements with your significant other about finances, long lines at airport security and, well, you get the picture. Even with the best of intentions, everybody experiences stressful situations from time to time.
While you can’t control what happens, you can control how you react to certain situations, toxic people and uncomfortable events. And, being mindful about how you react under pressure is especially important for those on a journey to sober living since stress and anxiety are usually at the top of the list of addiction triggers.
But, there are proven strategies you can use to manage anxiety, reduce your risk of relapse and protect your sobriety. Here are four ways you can address stressful situations in a more productive way.
(1) Reach out to someone. If you start to get stressed out or anxious about your future, the simple act of talking to a friend or family member can work wonders. They can offer an objective perspective and possibly even share how they have dealt with similar issues in their past.
(2) Hit the gym. Exercise offers one of the most powerful forms of stress relief. It has been scientifically proven to lower stress hormones like adrenaline and cortisol, while boosting your body’s feel-good neurotransmitters.
(3) Focus on the solution – not the problem. It’s a natural response when something bad happens to think “Why me?” and concentrate on the negative aspects of your life. But, is that going to change anything? Take a moment to accept your feelings and transition into a more positive mind-set. Start to concentrate on the possibilities – and the solutions to the problem at hand to move forward.
(4) See the big picture. When you’re confronted with a stressful situation, it’s all too easy to blow the situation out of proportion. Instead, take a breath and reset your focus. How important is this issue in the long run – is this just a temporary set-back?
Discover Healthy Coping Habits for Stress Management
At 10 Acre Ranch, our focus is on treating the whole person throughout their passage from addiction to sobriety. As part of this holistic approach, we offer stress management group therapy which provides the social support, coping, and problem-solving skills needed to deal with stress in a more constructive way. To learn more about our CA men’s rehab program and how we can help, call 10 Acre Ranch at (877) 228-4679 today.
