Anxiety and 5 Little Strategies for Prevention

Most people use drug and alcohol as a coping strategy for the stresses of life. When you suffer from anxiety, you need to be able to find more effective coping strategies and ways to control your anxiety in order to cut down on the desire to revert back to your old habits. To help you with that process, here are several strategies for coping with it.

Preventing Relapse with Anxiety Coping Strategies

• Factor in Minor Triggers

When most people think of anxiety causes, they focus on the larger issues like a breakup, a death in the family, job stress, etc. But on the road to recovery, it’s often the smaller triggers you need to account for. Watching horror movies, for example, may sound like an interesting idea, but the little bit of anxiety you get after watching the movie can add up with other life stresses, and ultimately make your anxiety feel more overwhelming. Any little thing that causes fear should be avoided, especially early in your recovery.

• Find Positive, Optimistic People

Positivity is an important step toward remaining anxiety free and experiencing social support from those around you. Your old friends, your workplace – even your family – if they are negative people that don’t seek out happiness and positivity in their own lives, you may need to cut ties and focus on finding those that will promote better wellness.

• Staying Physically Active

Exercising is a shockingly effective and an important reduction technique, and an important part of drug recovery. Just 10 to 15 minutes of running can relax your entire body, and maintaining good health helps reduce some of the feelings that may trigger a relapse. You can also consider playing more sports with your friends or strangers, as this puts you in a social and productive situation with some friendly competition and a goal – all of which are useful for both anxiety and recovery.

• Developing an Anxiety Coping System

You should also consider developing a method of coping that you can do immediately if you feel any anxiety or stress in your life. One idea is to create a space in your home that’s 100% designed for relaxation – a space that is drug free, technology free, and distraction free. Any time you feel any level of anxiety, acknowledge it and go directly to your coping space. If you don’t have room in your home, finding a location (park, backyard, etc.) that offers the same type of relaxation and go there immediately.

• Create Network

When you’re in recovery, you often have a sponsor or someone you call when you’re worried about relapse. Develop something similar for your anxiety, because it can lead to relapse if it is not coped with effectively. Make sure you have backup people to call if you feel yourself getting anxious so that there is always someone available and make sure those people are positive and ready to help you no matter the time or day. There may be no such thing as a cure for this condition, but having people around to contact can go a long way toward reducing the effects of stress on your mind and body.

Dealing with this condition to Prevent Drug Relapse

Anxiety on its own may not promote a relapse. Yet, it isn’t controlled can add up, creating stress that pushes you toward your previous, unhealthy coping strategy. If you’re experiencing severe anxiety you should seek out immediate help, calling a therapist and making sure this condition doesn’t make you do something you regret. But the little tips above can also be a big help, by preventing the likelihood of experiencing severe tress in life and focusing your attention on activities that are far more productive.

 

 

 

Lower Back Pain Tips for Injury Prevention

This is a guest post by Allied Movers.                                                                       Few things can limit your quality of life as much as a lower back pain sprain/strain. Once injured, it often takes time to eliminate pain and return the body to its former healthy state. Back injuries can interfere with multiple daily activities, from walking with ease or even picking up a set of keys from a low table. Preventing back injuries should be your goal every time you do any sort of physical labor or engage in any other strenuous activity. A few common sense tips can help you protect your back.

1. Use correct lifting techniques

When you need to lift a heavy object, reduce the amount of pressure placed on your back. Always bend with your knees to keep your spine properly aligned. Allow your legs to do the bulk of the work instead of your back. Always face the object you are lifting and avoid any sudden twisting movements as you lift. Lift gradually. Slow and smooth motions reduce the strain on your back muscles. Take your time to get a good hold on whatever you want to lift and use your legs and abdominal muscles to help you. Avoid the urge to prove how strong you are or show off, as either action can result in needless injury. Though it is impossible to avoid lifting items altogether, being cautious can preserve your back health.

2. Lighten the load

Test the weight of an object before you attempt to move or lift it. Push it lightly with your foot or hands to judge how much effort will be required to move it. The harder it is to budge, the more strain the object will put on your back when picking it up. Reduce the weight if possible. If you are moving something especially heavy, like a load of books, redistribute the books in several smaller boxes. If you cannot reduce the weight of the item you are lifting, ask for help in moving it. In the case of cumbersome objects like couches, bookshelves or appliances, hiring professional movers is the surest way to protect your back.

3. Manage your body

Before you start any lifting, stretch out your back and leg muscles. If you need to move more than one object or transport it a great distance, it is a good idea to take short breaks as needed. This gives your body a chance to rest and recover from strenuous activity before it takes too great of a toll. Be sure to plan extra time so you are not rushed when it comes time to move bags of mulch, clean out the garage or take holiday decorations to your attic.

4. Plan ahead

Be aware of your surroundings before you attempt to lift or move anything. Make sure you have a clear path and are not walking across a slippery surface. Take precautions to make sure the object is within reach when you bend to pick it up and transport it. If the object is hard to reach or you feel unsure of your grip before lifting, you significantly increase the risk of sustaining a back injury.

Although you’re likely to be safe when lifting heavy objects, back injuries can still occur. In this situation, seeking treatment from a licensed and experienced chiropractor is a smart option for healing your back. Be mindful and do your part to prevent a back injury in the first place. The adage “slow and steady wins the race” will go a long way toward keeping you healthy and pain-free.

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