The global pandemic has proved to bring billions together in a common cause to eradicate COVID-19. However, it has also led to an exponential rise in calls to mental health crisis hotlines, and alcohol sales are through the roof. Members of the recovery community are cut off from the physical lifelines like in-person 12 Step meetings.
The whole country is stressed out, to put it mildly, fears of contracting the virus, and in the past five weeks, 26.5 million workers have already filed for unemployment. Each day the number of new cases rises, as does the death toll. A staggering 193,039 people around the globe have lost their life due to COVID-19, and some 2,745,525 are infected.
You’re most likely aware that the United States is at the top of the list when it comes to coronavirus infections and deaths. As of 9:19 a.m. on April 24, 871,970 Americans are infected, and 50,103 have perished since February 6, 2020.
At Hemet Valley Recovery Center, we offer our condolences to every person who has lost a loved one, and we are praying that the infected make a speedy recovery. We understand that words cannot assuage the pain that many of you are going through, but we will continue to keep you in our thoughts.
Dealing With Stress In Recovery
These are stressful times, and it’s vital that members of the recovery community do their best to cope in non-destructive ways. A relapse will only worsen an already challenging situation. We understand that many people are anxious to return to how things were before, but it will be some time before that comes to fruition. So, then it’s critical that you utilize every tool in your recovery toolbox for managing and maintaining the progress you’ve made.
Even before there were whispers of an ensuing pandemic, many Americans were stressed out. Did you know that data indicates that Americans are among the most stressed people in the world? It’s true!
In 2018, about 55 percent of adults said they had experienced stress during “a lot of the day” prior, compared with just 35 percent globally, according to the Gallup 2019 Global Emotions Report. Nearly half (45 percent) felt worried a lot, and more than one in five (22 percent) felt angry a lot.
With the above information in mind, Stress Awareness Month couldn’t have come at a more opportune time. Yes, that’s right, every April since 1992, people around the world observe Stress Awareness Month. While the observance started in the United Kingdom, it has since branched out to other nations. National Today writes:
Stress can be debilitating, and it can cause and/or aggravate health problems. And since stress is a normal part of human existence — nobody is immune to it — it’s important to arm ourselves with knowledge so that we recognize when stress rears its ugly head…It’s important to learn some strategies for coping with this particular silent scourge.
Men and women who’ve gone through treatment or have worked the 12 Steps already have mechanisms for coping with stress throughout the year. However, this year is proving to be vastly different than 2019; the next Gallup polls will probably show that Americans were more stressed than ever before in 2020.
Remember, you can counter stress and mitigate the risk of relapse by practicing breathing techniques, meditating, and reciting mantras like the serenity prayer throughout the day. Take walks; the fresh air is good for you. Exercise if you are physically able; it will release endorphins that will make you feel better. Always remind yourself, this too shall pass.
California Chemical Dependency Rehabilitation Hospital
Despite the pandemic, addiction recovery services are essential. Alcohol and substance use disorders are epidemics of their own and must be addressed. Please contact us to learn more about our programs and what our team is doing to keep our current and prospective clients safe. You can reach us today at 866-273-0868 for a confidential assessment.