Stressful situations are a part of everyone’s lives, but how do you deal with them when drinking is no longer an option? This often goes through the minds of people who complete dual diagnosis treatment in Agoura. Though it’s easy to reach for a drink when you’re feeling down, alcohol only provides short-term relief. Once the alcohol wears off, the stress returns, plus you have to deal with the effects from drinking.

As you learn how to deal with stressful situations without alcohol, here are some techniques that you might find helpful.

Hydrotherapy

Hydrotherapy uses water for pain relief and treatment. The warmth of the water lets your muscles relax, which helps you relax. If you are dealing with pain, the water can improve joint pain as well. There are many theories as to why hydrotherapy works, but it’s believed that water treatments detoxify the blood, stimulate circulation, improve digestion and boost the immune system.

Ecotherapy

Spending time in nature is a wonderful way to calm anxiety and improve your mood. When you spend time outdoors, you’re reminded that you are part of something greater. This can help you gain new perspective on the things that are causing angst in your life. Walking through a forest has also been shown to turn off parts of the brain that are responsible for negative thinking.

Meditation

Meditation produces a deep state of relaxation that puts you in tune with yourself. During meditation, you focus your attention away from negative thoughts. The deep breathing also relieves tension and anxiety. As you get more comfortable practicing meditation, you can use this whenever you feel stressed. It’s free and requires no specialized equipment.

Volunteering

Spreading positivity is good for your mental health. By volunteering your time and talents, you can build a support system based on common interests and goals. This lowers the risk for depression, isolation and boredom. It also feels wonderful to donate your time and skills to people in your own community. Helping others provides a calming effect and releases dopamine in the brain.

Exercise

Exercise also releases feel-good endorphins in the brain. If you don’t like to exercise, consider other forms of physical activity that you do enjoy. All types of physical activity release endorphins, so you’re not limited to a specific routine. Also, being active increases energy levels, reduces stress and improves happiness.

As you learn to live a life without alcohol, you will need to adopt healthy coping strategies that you can turn to when you’re feeling down. Hopefully, one of these techniques will prove helpful in your own life. If you need additional support from an outpatient drug rehab in Agoura, contact Awakenings Treatment Center. We work with people in all stages of recovery.