More than 40 percent of people report having trouble sleeping because they’re worrying about work, according to Forbes Magazine.
The truth is, many of us feel overwhelmed at work. At the same time, there are constant interruptions preventing us from getting the work done that we need to. According to Forbes, the average worker is distracted seven times an hour.
Yet there are people who somehow just bounce through it all. On the other end of the spectrum, there are also people whose lives are literally destroyed by stress, resulting in health problems, addiction, failed marriages and more.
What makes some people so resilient?
Coping with Stress Psychology
There are a few different traits that psychologists say help people to cope with the stress of work—and life in general.
- Mastery. People who have this trait feel in control of life’s circumstances and are better prepared to handle whatever life throws at them. They have a general feeling of “I can do this” that helps them overcome stress.
- Good Self-Care. It’s hard to beat stress if you’re not doing the little things right, like getting enough sleep, exercising (which provides a natural mood boost), eating healthy foods and engaging in activities you enjoy.
- A Strong Support System. Researchers have found that people who grew up in healthy supportive families are better equipped to deal with stress as adults. The good news is that, even if you didn’t have that, the social support system you build as an adult will also help you deal with stress.
- Having an adaptive coping style. The people who bend, but don’t break seem to have an innate way of dealing with stress. It’s not that they encounter less challenges in life; they just handle them better. In Part 3 of our series on stress, we’ll examine how to develop this skill.
The Wrong Way of Coping with Stress
There’s a reason so many people battle addictions of all sorts. The quickest way of getting rid of a bad feeling is to drown it in food, alcohol, drugs or some other addiction.
The problem with that—aside from the fact that its bad for your health—is that those behaviors ultimately create more stress than they relieve, especially alcohol and drugs.
Sure, you get an immediate sense of relief but, over time, substance abuse changes your brain. Ultimately, addiction leads to a place where you can’t feel normal, happy or good without taking drugs or alcohol.
A Fresh Start at The Raleigh House
If you—or someone you love—can’t control your use of drugs or alcohol, then it’s time to get help. Telling yourself to simply stop using isn’t a strategy. At The Raleigh House, you’ll be assigned your own master’s level trained therapist. Together, you’ll make a plan both for rehab—and for life after rehab. Addiction takes so much away. This is your chance to get it all back—and maybe even more. We’d love to help you discover your path to a healthy, fulfilling and rewarding life. Fill out our form or contact us today to learn more about our 90-day drug and alcohol addiction treatment programs.
