It’s virtually impossible to go through life without encountering stress from time to time. However, when stress becomes the norm it can take a toll on your body and your mental health. As a result, it can put you at risk for developing a serious illness or disease or a life of co-dependency on drugs or alcohol.

Self-Medicating

Your life is overwhelming and you need something to get you through the day. That’s the way an addiction starts with many people. It’s innocent at the start, you take a drink or pop a pill after you get the kids off to bed as a way to unwind and relax. Unfortunately, the self-medicating measure you use will soon turn into a co-dependency. When this happens, you now have something else to deal with. Thankfully, if you realize that you have a problem you can find a drug rehabilitation center in your area to get you off the drugs and back to your normal life.

The Root of the Problem

While drugs and alcohol ended up being a major problem, you used them as a way of dealing with your life. In order to remain abstinent, you’ll need to get to the root of your problem. Overwhelming amounts of stress are not healthy. However, there are ways to reduce it without turning to bad habits. The solution is figuring out what’s causing your stress and finding ways to reduce it. For some people, it’s a highly demanding job that comes with an abundance of pressure. For others, it’s a bad relationship. Find out what’s really causing your stress. Only then will you be able to remove it.

Enjoying Life

You have only one life to live, so make the most of it. If you discover that your boss is the problem, then it may be time to look for a new job. If you discover that you tense up and have a stomach ache when your spouse is present, it may be time for a talk or marriage counseling. You have the right to a good quality of life. If someone is preventing this from occurring, take the steps to fix the problem.

Taking Time for You

You work full time, have children to care for and a home to maintain. It’s a high workload that many parents face. However, you’re not a selfish person if you take an hour each day to do something that makes you happy. Take a brisk walk, watch an old movie or take up a new hobby. Do whatever it is that releases stress and makes you feel good.

When You Feel Overwhelmed

You will have moments when you feel overwhelmed. It happens to everyone. When you feel your body start to tense, take a deep breath and then release it slowly. Do this for a few minutes and you’ll start to feel calmer. Meditation also provides a way to escape the world’s troubles for a few minutes each day. However, unlike a bad habit, meditation will produce only positive effects. Exercising three to four times each week for 30 to 40 minutes is something that everyone should do. When it comes to stress, exercising offers a great way to wash away your troubles and make you feel energized and upbeat.

Consider Therapy

If despite your best efforts, you still can’t seem to relax, you may want to consider going to therapy. Therapy, as the word suggests, is very therapeutic. You talk to someone for a half-hour or more about your life. This gives you an outlet, someone sworn to confidentiality that you can talk to about anything, without judgment.

Life can sometimes feel chaotic and disorganized. This often results in increased stress levels. If you feel stressed more often than not, it’s time to find out the cause and find solutions.