You have no doubt noticed that life can be pretty stressful. We all have so many responsibilities that we try to stay on top of each and every day. Sometimes those responsibilities—an important meeting at work and the need to pick up your kid from school—come into conflict with one another and cause even more stress. Whether you are at home or at work or somewhere else entirely, it can feel like the stress in life is a weight you are carrying and simply cannot put down.
You are probably also aware that high levels of stress can have a negative effect on your physical health and your mental health—and if you are a person in recovery from a substance use disorder, it can also put your recovery at risk. Given those facts, it seems quite clear that you need to develop a set of strategies and actions that can help you keep your stress levels under control.
We have a few ideas to get you started in your efforts to stress less and protect your recovery.
Clean Up a Mess
You have probably had a moment (maybe many, many moments) when you could not find something you need—your car keys, for example—due to excess clutter in the space where you generally leave the item. Not being able to locate something in a messy environment can trigger an increase in your stress levels.
On the other hand, straightening up can help reduce the stress you experience. That is true for a few reasons. First, a tidier space is more conducive to calm feelings. Also, the act of tossing out the junk mail or folding the laundry or what have you can give you a quick win that feels good. And, of course, reducing clutter can reduce the amount of time you spend racing around looking for lost items.
Establish a Budget
Money is a big stressor for many people. One way to handle that stress is to create—and work to stick to—a budget. Having a budget can take a lot of the guesswork out of your spending and make it more likely that you will have the funds you need when an emergency arises.
The process is fairly simple: Write down all the money you have coming in each month. This will likely primarily be your salary or your hourly wage. Then total up your monthly expenses. In an ideal world, your income would exceed your expenses. If it does not, some changes may be in order.
The good news is that having a clear picture of your finances not only enables you to make decisions that can lead to positive change, but it also takes the stress of financial uncertainty out of play.
Schedule Your Breaks
Many people are quite bad at taking breaks. Maybe you are among them. Do you find yourself eating lunch at your desk? Powering through chores all weekend long? Scheduling all of your many activities on top of one another so you barely have time to switch between them?
All of those things add to your stress load. That is why it is an excellent idea to put breaks right into your daily schedule. After all, your schedule is where you put all your important responsibilities, and you should count take a break among those key activities. Not only will it reduce your stress, but it will also make you more productive. That is certainly a win-win situation.
Take Up a Hobby
Spending regular and quality time engaged in a hobby you enjoy is an excellent way to combat stress in your life. When you are caught up in something you love to do, you give yourself a chance to recharge and relax—two things many people do not do nearly enough of.
Just like we suggested, you need to put your breaks into your daily schedule; we also think that is a great idea for your hobby, too. Again, you need to remind yourself that taking time for yourself is of equal (sometimes greater) importance to the other things on your long to-do list.
The great news here is that really any hobby will do as a way to address stress as long as you find it engaging. Build a collection. Read your way through a series of books. Get out in your garden. Take up bowling. Learn to knit or crochet. We could go on and on. Find your thing—whatever it is—and set aside time for it.
Getting Help for Your Disorder Is a Good Stress Reliever
Few things in life are as stressful as being in the grips of a substance use disorder. To relieve that stress and reclaim your life, you need to pursue treatment.
At The Farley Center, located in Williamsburg, Virginia, we help individuals put drugs or alcohol behind them so they can start their recovery journey with confidence. You can count on evidence-based practices supported by our experience, empathy, and expertise. When you are ready to make a change for the better—one that will reduce your stress levels and so much more—we are here to help.
