When it comes to taking on all of the different things that you have to balance in life it can be an overwhelming load to balance on your shoulders.  Sometimes so many things start to add up that we can start wonder how we are possibly going to be able to do everything that we need to do.  Our minds start to become like a cluttered drawer with no organization or order.  Before you know it, we can have so much crammed in there that we start to lose sight of how we will even get it all done.

However, catching ourselves before we get to this point is important.  Make sure that you recognize the signs that you are starting to become overstressed to avoid burning yourself out.  If you let yourself get to empty, then it is even more difficult to make a recovery.  Here are the biggest warning signs that you are starting to become overstressed.

Frequent Mood Swings

One of the biggest telltale signs that you are starting to become overwhelmed and stressed is that you have frequent mood swings.  One moment you are feeling fine and the next minute something that wouldn’t normally be a trigger sends you into an angry dip.  You are easily irritated and can feel frustrated by circumstances that would normally just slide right by you.

The best way to recognize whether you are being just moody or if you are having genuine frustration with a situation is monitoring how you feel about it at a later time.  If you feel extremely irritated by something in the moment, take a break emotionally before you react, and revisit how you feel later that day.  If you are able, to be honest with yourself and recognize whether what you were feeling several hours before was genuinely irritating or simply a symptom of stress, then you can deal with your feelings with a much clearer head.

Difficulty Sleeping

Stress can affect sleep because your mind is on overdrive.  You can stay up all night thinking about all of your pressing to-do’s and wonder how on earth you are going to complete them.

When your mind doesn’t shut off then your body follows.  It is important to get a good night’s sleep so that you can do your best work.

Loss Of Interest In Activities You Once Enjoyed

When your mind is fixated on everything that you have on your plate then you start to become incapable of taking a break to enjoy things that give you pleasure.  Your mind is stuck on overdrive mode without being able to shut down.

If you find yourself making excuses to go out with friends or find yourself not wanting to do things that once were your favorite thing to do, then you may be overstressed.

Admitting that you have a problem is the first step. Unfortunately, there’s a lot more to substance abuse recovery than just words. Whether you’re looking for holistic drug and alcohol treatment or just seeking basic information about kicking the habit, here are 10 tips that you might find helpful during your recovery.

1. Know Your Weaknesses

It doesn’t matter if it’s booze, pills or something even more illicit. The most important thing is that you recognize what your weaknesses are and how to avoid them. For example, if you can’t resist the siren song of that old liquor store, take a new route home from work.

2. Ask for Help

Recovery is much easier with the support of family and friends. You might need to take things slow if you’ve already burned your bridges with particular people, but there’s always someone out there who’s willing to give you another chance. If it isn’t a loved one, it might be a sponsor with your local AA/NA group.

3. Form New Habits

Stress is one of the leading causes of relapse, so it helps to figure out in advance how you’re going to handle the next big challenge in your life without turning to drugs or alcohol. Maybe it’s a breathing technique; maybe it’s a new fitness routine. As long as it works for you, embrace it.

4. Utilize Online Resources

There are many blogs, websites, podcasts and forums devoted to addiction recovery, so don’t be afraid to poke the world wide web and see what comes out. Sites like Sober Nation can help you stay motivated and resist temptation, and they’ll also connect you with other people who are struggling with the same demons that you are.

5. Help Others To Help Yourself

Many former addicts find peace in performing charitable acts. It gets them out of their own heads and makes them feel like they’re doing something meaningful with their lives. If this sounds soothing to you as well, consider volunteering your time at a soup kitchen or sponsoring a little kid overseas. If you fill your days with goodness, it’s much harder to let the bad thoughts take over.

6. Keep A Journal

Try to make a habit of writing in a journal every day. Even if it’s just a few sentences about how much you struggled not to relapse, it can be highly motivating to look back on dark days and realize that you got through them despite everything. You might also learn new things about yourself and your thinking patterns if you’re able to look at them in black and white.

7. Have an Accountability Partner

This is someone that you’ll have to inform if you fall off the wagon. The thought of disappointing them might help you resist your cravings long enough to take preventative action like going outside, eating something or burying yourself in a hobby. Keep this person in your thoughts whenever you feel like slipping.

8. Improve Your Diet

Discipline in one area of your life often leads to discipline in another, so think about adding more greens to your pantry or cutting back on sugary snacks. You might even try your hand at cooking; it’s a precise, methodical hobby that involves a lot of focus, so it can keep your mind occupied on something other than using.

9. Give Yourself Plenty of Distractions

Have you ever noticed that a craving goes away if you don’t pay attention to it? This applies to everything from junk food to illegal drugs. By surrounding yourself with books, movies, games, puzzles, crafts and other time-wasters, you can have something to anchor you to reality while your demons are trying to pull you away.

10. Aim Small

Last but certainly not least, don’t try to conquer a mountain before you know how to climb. One of the most basic pieces of recovery advice is to take things one day at a time. Don’t get overwhelmed by the thought of staying clean for months or even weeks; just focus on making it until midnight without breaking your self-control. The next day, make it until midnight again.

Recovery is never easy, but the most important thing is that you’re here. You’re reading about addiction and how to get through it. You want to change. This is a very good step in the right direction, so let it be the first of many as you kick your bad habits to the curb and start a new life.

Many if not most of us want to have a ton of energy, be in a good mood, and feel great about the way we look. These are all realities that materialize in conjunction with good health, and that is why you should focus on cultivating the highest level of wellness possible. Below you’ll find just three of many simple strategies that you can deploy to become a healthier person:

1. Find An Exercise You Love.

It’s no secret that regular exercise plays a profound role in empowering people to look and feel their very best. Yet we live in a sedentary society where the majority of people don’t attain the recommended amount of daily exercise. If you’re a sedentary person, now is the time to get off the couch and find an exercise you love so you can stick to a fitness routine. Note that there are hundreds of different physical activities you can engage in. Some of them include:

• rowing
• indoor rock climbing
• swimming
• yoga
• pilates
• tae-bo
• cycling
• weight-lifting

You may have to try a few exercises before you figure out which ones you love the most!

2. Implement A Meal Plan.

In addition to engaging in physical activity on a regular basis, make sure that you implement a meal plan. This step will empower you to ensure that you’re consistently eating nutrient dense food that will enable your body to function correctly. If you’re unfamiliar with the world of nutrition, note that you can hire a nutritionist to put together a cutting edge, customized meal plan on your behalf!

3. Utilize Behavioral Health Strategies.

Although a large part of cultivating great health pertains to your diet and exercise, it’s important to note that these are just two factors that go into promoting optimal wellness. Another factor to consider is behavioral health. This field is broadly defined but can be summarized as the sector which focuses on examining actions and attitudes for the purpose of eliminating any behaviors that are not conducive to physical and mental well-being. For example, organizations such as Engage Behavioral Health will provide clients with verbal behavior therapy services to help ensure that their children are engaging in more meaningful conversations with other people.

Work Towards Greater Health Now!

Greater health can be yours if you adopt a strategic approach to the wellness process. This article provides you with three techniques you can deploy to make greater health a reality. Start implementing these strategies now so you can begin seeing results!

It is wonderful to finally spend some time outdoors after a long winter of being cooped up inside. Unfortunately, many people are so busy with their day to day jobs and activities that they don’t make the time to go outside. Spring will be gone before you know it, so find a way to fit the great outdoors into your schedule.

Sometimes scheduling an outdoor adventure is the only way to make it happen. Get together with friends and family to find out what day would be best. Just make sure to check the local forecast. Spring is also known for those wonderful showers that bring the May flowers.

If you aren’t sure what to do outdoors, consider a picnic. Choose a park that offers picnic areas as well as hiking trails, lakes, and other sources of fun. A walk through the woods or around a lake is the perfect way to connect with nature. Spring is really enjoyable due to all of the plants that are just beginning to grow. Watch for the early blooms as well as flowering trees that are simply beautiful.

Head outdoors prepared for all that spring brings with it. Wear waterproof shoes. The ground can be quite damp at this time of year from rain showers and melting snow. You may also want to wear layered clothing. Mornings can be chilly, but temperatures rise in the afternoon. You can shed your layers as the air warms up.

Being prepared can also mean dealing with health related issues. Certain areas are more likely to have tics than others. Wear long pants, socks, and shoes that keep your legs and feet covered. Allergies can also be a problem. Some people require medication to keep them under control. If you are thinking about allergy testing Somerset County NJ has many qualified allergy doctors that can help like those at the Allergy, Asthma & Sinus Center.

Now that you have a plan, have scheduled a day with friends and family, and prepared yourself, you are ready to enjoy all that spring has to offer. By spending some much needed time outside after another long winter, you will find yourself feeling energized and rejuvenated. The fresh spring air and warm sunshine will lift your spirits as well as improve your attitude.