Stress is part of the human condition. From driving in traffic, to dealing with bills, to living in recovery. Life has twists and turns and at times, can be stressful. Part of recovery is learning how to effectively handle stress. Here are 5 tips to help you manage stress better.

1- Take care of what you can. You can’t control everything. When you relinquish control, worry and stress decreases. You still need to take care of bills, family, and recovery. However, some things, like traffic, you have no control over. Try to weather the storm and let go of the stress that you can’t change.

2- Learn how to incorporate self care. Self care is the best way to handle stress. Self care is necessary for stress management. Self care can include:

• Yoga
• Martial arts
• Art
• Music
• Taking a walk in nature
• Exercise
• Cooking a batch of your favorite comfort
• Talking to someone you love
• Engaging in activities that calm you

3- Ramping up recovery when life is extra stressful. You can’t stop doing recovery, no matter what type of stress you are facing. In life, stress is inevitable. What you do with stress is the only thing you can control. Make sure to continue going to meetings, working with your sponsor or mentor, and above all do not use.

4- Reach out to your support system. When stress is high, you may be tempted to isolate. Don’t do it. Make sure that you take time to spend time with friends and sober allies. Plan a dinner date or a trip to the movies. Maybe all you can muster up is a phone call, and that is okay. Just don’t isolate and shut out the people who care about you.

5- Take time for yourself when you need it. Sometimes, the best medicine for stress is to bury yourself in a good book, watch a sappy movie, or take a warm bath in the glow of candlelight. Whatever remedy calms you and keeps you focused, schedule the activity on your calendar. Life is stressful, but it doesn’t have to eat you alive.

At The Kimberly Center, we care about your recovery. Recovery doesn’t make you exempt from life, but sobriety can help you manage life and stress better. Call us now at 855-4-KCENTER to learn more about how treatment can help you face life on life’s terms.