Stress is a common and unavoidable part of life. However, when you experience too much stress, it has a profound impact on your well-being. As the American Psychological Association (APA) notes in “Stress in America 2022”, in the United States alone, 27% of adults feel like they cannot function due to stress. Moreover, 76% of adults are experiencing physical and psychological health issues due to stress. Addressing the life stressors that contribute to different levels of stress is invaluable to healing and recovery.
At Driftwood Recovery, we know building critical life skills is crucial to fostering a new outlook and healthier life. Recovery is not only about ending substance use but also about healing the whole person. As a result, addressing life stressors is an important part of your recovery journey. We are dedicated to providing a vibrant alumni program to help you overcome life stressors and build a courageous life in sustained recovery.
Yet, you may question, if life stressors are unavoidable, how can you avoid relapse? How can an alumni program help you address life stressors? Expanding your understanding of stress can give you insight into how life stressors impact your well-being. With greater self-awareness, you can learn how to identify and manage stressors rather than become overwhelmed.
What Is Stress?
According to the National Center for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH), stress is a physical and emotional reaction to an event or challenging experience. Stress is often described as a state of worry or tension that can manifest physically, mentally, and emotionally. Thus, stress can impact your physical health, mental health, and behavior. However, stress and stress responses are a natural reaction from your body when you encounter challenges or change. As Medline Plus notes, in short bursts, stress can be a positive thing in your life. Some of the ways stress can be positive include:
- Alertness to avoid danger
- Motivation to take on challenges
Everyone experiences short-term or acute stress to some degree, but when left unchecked, it can cause harm. Prolonged or chronic stress can lead to serious physical and psychological health issues. Yet, how do you recognize the difference between acute and chronic stress? When is stress helpful, and when is it harmful?
Addressing Examples of Life Stressors
Countless life stressors can contribute to acute and chronic stress. The difference between healthy and unhealthy stress can be divided into eustress and distress. Eustress motivates you, drives you, can feel exciting, and happens over a short period. In contrast, distress leaves you feeling anxious and overwhelmed over a short or long period. Listed below are some life stressors that can contribute to short-term and long-term stress:
- Eustress
- Moving
- Buying a home
- Getting married
- Having a child
- Starting college
- Giving a presentation at work or school
- Learning a new hobby
- The holiday season
- Distress
- Job insecurity
- Unemployment
- Low income
- Unstable housing
- Relationship conflict
- Serious injury or illness
- Loss of a loved one
- Separation and divorce
- Abuse and neglect
Moreover, distress that contributes to life stressors can also come from internal challenges. Fear, ruminating thoughts, and worrying about the future can all contribute to physical and psychological distress. While some stressors come and go, other chronic stressors can have a profound impact on your well-being.
The Impact of Life Stressors on Well-Being
You are likely aware that when left unaddressed, life stressors can negatively impact your physical and psychological health. Yet, many people try to ignore or downplay stress because it feels overwhelming and scary to confront the thing causing distress. You may not recognize the seriousness of your stress or convince yourself that the stressors will go away. Understanding the impact of life stressors on your well-being is vital to addressing and overcoming those challenges. Listed below are some of the ways stress can harm your physical and psychological health:
- Headaches
- Chest pain
- High blood pressure
- Heart diseases
- Obesity
- Diabetes
- Menstrual issues
- Stomach issues
- Sleep issues
- Anger
- Anxiety
- Depression
- Substance use disorder (SUD)
Challenges with stress often stem from a complex array of life stressors, mental health difficulties, and stress-related behaviors. As noted by Frontiers in Psychology, stress-related behaviors like poor sleep and unhealthy eating can exacerbate stress-related health issues. Interrelated stressors can further increase your risk for relapse when those stressors are left to fester. When left unaddressed, life stressors can make managing cravings more difficult and impair your ability to use adaptive coping strategies. Thus, building stress management skills is an invaluable part of treatment and recovery for sustained recovery.
Stress Management: Building Strategies for Life Stressors
Many life stressors are common and unavoidable parts of life. However, you can take steps to recognize and manage the impact of those stressors on your well-being. As the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) states, building healthy coping strategies can help reduce your stress. Although everyone responds to and manages stress in different ways, listed below are some strategies you can explore for your life:
- Physical activity
- Therapy
- Mindfulness
- Meditation
- Practice gratitude
- Relaxation techniques
- Deep breathing
- Self-care
- Hobbies
- Social support
- Loved ones
- Self-help groups
- Sleep routine
- Well-balanced diet
- Try to eliminate stressors
- Spend time with loved ones
Access to support can play a significant role in your ability to manage stress and eliminate stressors in your life.
Building Tools for Stress at Driftwood Recovery
At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing comprehensive alumni services for a quality life beyond sobriety. With access to continuing care services, you can address stress-related physical and psychological barriers like unemployment and housing instability. Leaning on support from alumni can provide emotional relief, offer practical support, help you strategize, and build resilience. Therefore, access to support from an active alumni program can provide connection, guidance, and resources to support stress management. Through alumni, you can find support for employment, education, activities, and connection with a compassionate sober community.
Life stressors are a common and unavoidable part of life. Moreover, some forms of stress can be positive, like starting a new job or having a baby. However, other stressors like unemployment and housing issues can contribute to chronic stress. When challenges with stress are left to fester, your physical and psychological well-being are negatively impacted. The combination of stress-related challenges like anxiety, depression, headaches, and poor sleep can contribute to relapse. Thus, building tools for stress management, like a support network and resources, are invaluable to sustained recovery. At Driftwood Recovery, we are dedicated to providing an alumni program where you can access the support and services you need to thrive. Call us at (512) 759-8330 today.