Unhealthy coping strategies for stress. People who are chronically stressed may develop negative coping mechanisms such as binge drinking or drug use, overeating, withdrawing from friends and family, or engaging in aggressive behavior.
Learning healthy ways to deal with stress is critical to lowering and managing stress; yet there are a range of harmful approaches that individuals employ without even realizing it.
15 Unhealthy Coping Strategies for Stress.
- Vices
This list includes vices such as drinking, smoking, and general drug abuse, none of which help to reduce stress levels.
It may seem like smoking one more cigarette would help you relax and feel better when you’re anxious, but it won’t. Cigarettes, like alcohol and opioids, provide temporary relief from stress, but after it wears off, you merely need another dosage to revert to your previous state.
More significantly, these habits are harmful to your long-term health, increasing your chances of depression, anxiety, and a number of physical ailments. According to one study, (Chronic Stress, Drug Use, and Addiction Vulnerability.) Rajita Sinha) those who are under chronic stress are at greater risk of addiction.
Falling into this pattern will not relieve tension and will simply lead to further issues that will need to be addressed in the future.
- Denying There Is A Problem
Denial is not a stress-reduction strategy; in fact, it will do more damage than good since ignoring your stress will only make it worse. The only way to bring it under control is to manage it.
There is a distinction to be made between taking a mental health vacation and disregarding your stress by watching a funny movie or having lunch with friends. You won’t be able to comprehend the difficulties or understand why or what you’re dealing with if you ignore them. The longer you ignore an issue, whether it’s an emotional dread of relationship troubles or a financial worry like a late credit card payment, the worse it will become.
The easiest method to deal with a scenario like this is to make a strategy and follow it to alleviate your tension.
- Stress Eating
Food, like the vices we discussed before, is often used as a crutch, and although it may provide brief relief, it can quickly spiral out of control. You’re intensifying those emotions since your mind (and body) starts to associate food with terrible sensations you’re having (because that’s when you indulge).
Do you reach for a snack when you’re sad, irritated, or stressed? Obesity may result as a result of this, as well as an increased risk of heart disease and stroke, as well as gastrointestinal issues.
- Feeding The Negativity
Let me ask you a question: are you the kind of person that is afraid of losing their job if they make a little mistake? Do you have nervous breakdowns over disagreements with your partner, worrying you’ve prompted the breakup?
Many people picture the worst-case scenario when presented with a particularly upsetting event. However, if you have a tendency to exaggerate, it will just add to your anxiety.
When you’re worried, it’s easy to see things through a negative lens and feed negative self-talk. Adjust the tone of your self-talk; conversely, change the tone of your self-talk to that of a good friend who is going through a tough period.
- Compulsive Spending
When you’re chronically stressed, you feel like there’s a hole inside of you that needs to be filled, and retail therapy is one way people fill that void. There’s a significant difference between giving yourself a little treat and blowing your budget on things you don’t need or can afford. This frequently leads to a rise in financial problems, which is another cause of stress that will only exacerbate your worry.
- Going Into Hibernation
While the concept of hiding in a fort made of pillows and blankets is appealing, it is not the most effective way to cope with stress. You could feel like you need to catch up on sleep but doing so will just make you feel more fatigued.
In fact, one research (The Risks of Sleeping “Too Much”) found that sleeping “too much” might have negative consequences. In the INPES Health Barometer, a national representative sample of 24671 adults was surveyed.
According to Léger et al., there is a relationship between excessive sleeping and a high BMI, which raises the risk of diabetes and heart disease. All of this will add to the stress you’re currently dealing with.
Other Stress-Related Unhealthy Coping Techniques
7.Self-criticizing
8.Nail biting
9.Angry or violent outbursts and abuse of others
10.Not eating
11.Surviving on coffee
12.Yelling at co-workers, employees, kids, spouse or friends
13.Social isolation
14.Sitting too much instead of engaging in physical movement
15.Using recreational drugs or abusing mood altering prescription medication
Whatever your stress concerns are, you should refrain from using unhealthy stress coping strategies. It is possible to get help. Click the link to Learn 7 healthy coping skills for stress.
