Stress Awareness Month

Stress awareness month has been recognized every April since 1992. Learning to cope with our stress and finding healthy ways to deal with stressful situations can go a long way in living a healthy and positive life. Long-term stress can become more than just a mental issue.

We all experience stress, yet we experience it in different ways. The most common explanation of stress is a "physical, mental, or emotional strain or tension" (American Institute of Stress).

Common issues related to stress:

1. Headaches

2. Stomach disorders

3. Anxiety/Depression

4. Stroke

5. Heart disease

   
   

Tips for Coping with Stress:

• Take care of yourself. Eat healthy, exercise regularly, get plenty of sleep, and give yourself a break if you feel stressed.

• Discuss your problems. Talk with a parent, friend, or another trusted source.

• Avoid drugs and alcohol. Brain research now indicates that people exposed to stress are more likely to abuse alcohol or other drugs, or to relapse into drug addiction.

• Recognize when you need more help. Know when to talk to a psychologist, social worker, or counselor if problems continue.

Being in recovery from alcoholism and drug addiction can cause a lot of stress to our lives. We used to cope with our stress by drinking or using drugs so learning how to manage stressful situations sober can be difficult. Using the tips listed above can help tremendously in your recovery journey. Be kind to yourself and others this month and take time for self-care as it can help relieve stress!

Written by:

Jessica V.