Tips For Stress Management in Recovery

Stress is a common and oftentimes unavoidable part of everyone’s life, so it’s incredibly important to consistently practice stress management in recovery.

You don’t have to be struggling with mental illness to experience stress, nor does being on medication or actively pursuing mental health treatment mean that you’re immune to it. Stress and worry are simply a side effect of living life and can be experienced during good events like new relationships and jobs as well as negative events like loss or unstable finances.

If you’re in recovery, it’s crucial to have a stress management treatment plan that you can turn to when you need to address your stress triggers. That’s because even small degrees of stress can spur on unwanted behaviors, and when stress gets out of hand, it can lead to or worsen mental health problems, including anxiety, depression, and substance abuse disorders.

Whether your recovery is just beginning or you’ve been at it for a long time, the more vigilant you can be about controlling your stress level the better you’ll be set up for success. Whether you’re asking yourself how do I deal with anxiety without drinking? or how can I rebound from stress when it occurs? having stress-relief strategies that work for you is key. Here are some that you might want to consider.

Helpful Stress Management Activities

We all respond to stress in unique ways. Pick and choose the stress-relief practices that work best for you, and be willing to try new things in pursuit of a stronger recovery.

Stay mindful. Overthinking stress can often make it worse. A better strategy is to acknowledge and accept your discomfort, knowing that it’s normal and happens to everyone. This change in attitude can help you weather the storm while you pursue other methods of relief.

Have people you can talk to. Whether it’s a therapist or a trusted friend, having someone who you can go to when you’re feeling stressed is important. And it’s even better if you have a few of these people. Aside from just allowing you to vent, a support system can offer practical help, as well as accountability to keep you from backsliding.

Practice self-care. What grounds you? Engage in activities that help you mitigate your stress response, such as cooking, gardening, or going for a long walk with your dog. The goal is to find activities that take your mind off of external stimuli and allow you to return to the moment in a positive way.

Focus on achievements, not setbacks. It’s all too easy to get bogged down in the “shoulda, woulda, coulda” mentality, but that outlook is a major stress driver. So instead, try to keep your mind on your accomplishments and your goals. You can’t change the past, but you can set your path for the future.

Ask for help. If you’re struggling with stress, know that help is available. Seek support right away if you are feeling overwhelmed or unable to cope, or if you are worried about your recovery.

Stress doesn’t have to set you back. Please contact us at Synergy Health Programs if you or a loved one needs support managing stress in recovery.