Do I Need a Stress Management Plan?
The extent to which you need stress management depends upon your circumstances. And although some people in recovery deal with the stress of overcoming their dependence differently, everyone needs some degree of stress management. Once you have moved past the stressors associated with your physical addiction, there are also social and emotional stressors to consider. These most often include:
- Dealing with family conflict in the aftermath of addiction
- The stress associated with finding or maintaining a job
- Navigating old relationships and exploring new ones
- The structure and discipline required to go to school
- The stress that comes with managing your health after what amounts to a physical and psychological health crisis
And these stressors can have severe psychological and physical effects. These include physical effects like increased heart rate and blood pressure, as well as shortness of breath. But they also include psychological symptoms like depression, anxiety, and psychological trauma. Because the above stressors are virtually universal, as you continue on the road to recovery, the Lakeview Health team always recommends some formal course of stress management as part of our trauma-informed care model.
What Does a Stress Management Plan Look Like?
At Lakeview Health, we know very well that every patient is different. And this is why we make sure to tailor every stress management plan to the individual in consultation with your counselors and other relevant parties. But some universal tips can help anyone dealing with the stress that accompanies recovery. These include:
- Staying positive using specific techniques that you will discuss with your counselor
- Exercising regularly by participating in recreational therapy programs, which has been linked to reduced stress, improved psychological health, and mood, as well as improved physical health
- Eating healthily, which has also been linked to improved mood and mental health
- Find something larger than yourself; our patients use a wide variety of religious and non-religious techniques — like mindfulness practice, meditation, and yoga therapy — to help relieve their stress
- Remembering that “Rome wasn’t built in a day” — and that failing is part of the process
Asking for help when you need it; so much of any stress management plan is built on having a strong support network of counselors, mentors, family, and peers. And at Lakeview, we are here to help you establish and nurture all of these relationships.
These are only a few of the approaches to stress management that we regularly utilize at Lakeview. But through these and others, we can ensure that your path to recovery is as stress-free as it can be.
Reach Out to Lakeview Health Today
No two individuals suffering from addiction have the same experience. And yet, everyone who has suffered is connected in the sense that they experience the same need for stress management as they recover. Our counselors can help by building a plan tailored to your needs that will help you to navigate your recovery successfully. But the first step is reaching out. Contact Lakeview Health today online, or by reaching out to us at 904.677.5010. Free yourself from drugs and alcohol today.
