As you move further along in your recovery and learn how to effectively manage your stress levels, it’s important to have go-to activities to alleviate tension. Recognizing that you need to manage your stress to a healthy level – not erase it – should help you feel a bit more relaxed from the start.
Three Activities To Relieve Stress
Let’s take a look at three activities to relieve stress that you can do.
1. Write In A Journal
Grab a journal or notebook, or start an online journal at Penzu.com. Write for 10-15 minutes each day, focusing on stressful events, things that are bothering you and ways that you feel. When you let your mind run free, you can learn a lot about some of the emotions that are bottled up inside you and start working through and letting them go. Plus, no one has to read your journal, so you don’t have to worry about presenting your feelings in any particular way.
Not only does writing allow you to release your inner feelings, but you can also track the things that are causing stress in your life. When you notice trends or patterns, you can develop healthy coping strategies. We recommend looking back at earlier entries to see how far you’ve come in the recovery process. Doing this can support feelings of accomplishment and pride.
2. Volunteer Your Time
Doing any activity that you enjoy is a great way to reduce stress, but there is something particularly unique about volunteering your time. Helping others connects you to people, teaches new skills and protects your mental and physical health. Studies also show that helping others fosters happiness. And isn’t happiness what we’re all after?
Choose a cause that is close to your heart: helping animals, feeding the homeless or working with children. Volunteering for a particular cause will fuel your desire to make a difference. It will also help you find your purpose in life.
3. Practice Meditation Or Prayer
Connecting with a higher power is an excellent way to combat stress. Meditation wipes away stress from the day and brings you a sense of tranquility and inner peace. Prayer allows you to hand off the things you can’t control to a higher power, encouraging you to feel free and at peace.
Meditation and prayer are great tools, and they can be done anywhere. Practicing them on a regular basis offers long-term health benefits, including emotional and physical well-being. Learn more about how meditation can relieve addiction triggers here.
Customized Holistic Addiction Treatment
The Dunes East Hampton focuses on “total person” healing (mind, body and soul) when it comes to recovery. Our customized holistic approach can include meditation, yoga, spiritual counseling, equine therapy, and so much more.
The staff at The Dunes East Hampton is waiting for your call. We know how hard it can be to commit to treatment, but you must start somewhere. Let our caring and compassionate team lead you in the right direction.