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Stress Management

Many Individuals Rely on Marijuana as a Stress Reliever

You’ve probably had a few unexpected and stressful situations pop up that may have tempted you to use again. But you’ve managed. You’re still here, and something is clearly working for you. This is fantastic.

Think a little bit about what’s worked for you. Was it avoidance altogether or did you employ some other strategy? As time goes on, these stressful situations may become easier to manage. But sometimes major life events can make a craving appear even after long periods without any at all. This is because many individuals have found marijuana to be a stress reliever in some capacity—maybe it was the solitude it brought you, the ability to breathe deeply, or maybe it was the direct effect of the drug. Regardless, you can use your newfound sober strength to take a calming moment by yourself. Whether or not you buy into meditation (more on this later), pausing to take a deep breath can be immediately calming. Deep breathing activates your parasympathetic nervous system, which opposes the fight-or-flight response that is over-activated in stressful situations. Think about other back up strategies that may work going forward and keep up the good work.

Sometimes major life events can make a craving appear even after long periods without any at all.