Addiction Recovery Tools >> Recognizing Stress

RECOGNIZING STRESS

In learning to enjoy a clean and sober lifestyle it is important for you to become more aware of yourself and better able to recognize signs of stress for what they are. Stress is what a person experiences as the result of difficult or upsetting events, especially those that continue for a period of time. Therefore, in order to maintain a clean and sober lifestyle it is recommended that you become adept at recognizing signs of stress.

Stress is the experience people have when the demands they make of themselves or those placed upon them are greater than what they feel they can handle. Sometimes we are unaware of this emotional state until the stress is producing physical symptoms. Have you experienced any of these symptoms in the past 30 days?

• Sleep problems including:
  
       - Difficulty falling asleep
       - Waking up off and on during the night
       - Nightmares
       - Waking up early and being unable to fall back asleep
  
  
• Headaches
  
  
• Stomach problems
  
  
• Chronic illness
  
  
• Fatigue
  
  
• Moodiness
  
  
• Irritability
  
  
• Difficulty concentrating
  
  
• General dissatisfaction with life
  
  
• Feeling overwhelmed

If you have experienced two or more of these items, you need to think about reducing stress immediately. By becoming more aware of stress and learning appropriate ways to cope, you can further ensure your ability to maintain and enjoy a clean and sober lifestyle. For techniques on reducing and managing stress and for our complete Addiction Recovery Tool Kit, download our e-book.