Online Rehab

1 min read

Stress without the substance

The substance may have been your way of dealing with stress. Now you need other ways.

Stress is part of life. Work, money, relationships: there's always something. If you used for years to push stress away, you may never have learned other ways. You can still learn them now.

Breathing is the fastest tool. Breathe in for four counts, hold for four, breathe out for four and wait for four. Do that for a few minutes. Your body switches from tension to calm.

Moving, talking and writing things down help too. Write down what's causing your stress and what you can do about it. What you can't change, you can try to accept. That's what the Serenity Prayer is about.

If stress becomes too much, talk to your counselor or doctor. You don't have to carry it alone.