Nevertheless, after almost a year in recovery, therapy, group sessions, psychiatrists and psychologists.
I learned what I was supposed to expect when I reintegrated to society as a sober person and they also gave me the tools to cope in order to stay in the sobriety path. As you may imagine, for a recovering addict, stress is one of the most dangerous situations for a potential relapse. And it can be something as simple as an argument in the street. We have to be extremely careful in the way we handle stress
Therefore, those lessons I learned on how to handle stress are the ones I’d like to share with you in this article. They are great lessons everyone can apply. Believe me, I’ve now been sober for over 9 years, dealing and coping with one drop of alcohol and overcoming every addiction relapse trigger I’ve faced.
Eat Healthily
It’s been proven extensively that what you eat will have a direct impact on your health both mental and physical. One of my nutritionists used to tell me that if I ate something bad (nutritionally-wise) then I would feel bad; and well, he was right. His advice was simple: eat a simple well-balanced diet.
Eating correctly will allow you to feel great on the inside and on the outside. A great diet will influence in a very positive way your mood as well, and a balanced mood means less stress. Skipping meals regularly will make it easier for you to become stressed as well, so try not to do it often.
Talk It Through
The simple action of mentioning what is making you feel stressed will be a great help for you to rationalize the thing you are stressing about. Also, reach out to your support group, such as your therapist, friends, family, whatever works for you. In my case, I constantly go to AA meetings and have regular encounters with my sponsor.
The action of talking to yourself is a great habit to follow; think of it as a self-directed pep-talk. It will allow you to take a step back and analyze any situation that could be stressful to you. The secret here? Examine the situation calmly and act guided by positivity.
Exercise
As I mentioned above, it’s extremely important to take good care of yourself both mentally and physically, not only to live a healthier lifestyle but to be in a strong position where you can not only face your responsibilities but stand firmly against the inevitable stress and anxiety that modern life brings.
Helping your body relax and burn excess energy is probably one of the most important tools for stress management.
Exercise is one of the best ways to do it. Adding a great workout regimen not only will help your body feel better, it will inspire positivity and good mood with every rush of healthy endorphins. Take at least 30 minutes, 3 to 5 times a week, to take a brisk walk, run, swin, or practice yoga.
