Stress is a Drug Addiction

Are you stressed? Could you write a book on “How to not have any time?” Have you known you needed to make a change for years, as your body decays from the flood of stress chemicals you feed it, but have fallen back into old patterns of overuse and strain each time? Perhaps it is time to admit that you are a drug addict.

No, it’s not a drug you take by mouth, except perhaps by saying YES to everything and everyone. It is a drug addiction your body produces naturally in response to challenge, threat, emergency, and even the thrill of the the unknown (“Is this sickness going to kill me?”). After years and years of habit patterns, the brain craves these drugs. It becomes who we are, and it definitely becomes What We NEED.

Yep, Need. Like a smoker needs his puff, a sweet tooth needs her chocolate, and a heroin addict needs his fix.

Don’t agree? Let me ask, have you ever suffered a chronic condition that got better, even miraculously better, when you reduced the stress in your life for a short time? If you get bodywork, does your body scream “I need more of that!” yet long months and even years go by before you ‘find the time’ to get your next massage? Do you really feel important being needed by others, but are somehow secretly appalled that your body, mind, and spirit need your time and attention, too (beyond a cursory shit, shower, and shave)?

We as a culture have caught up with the idea that smoking has long term chronic effects. True, we still have nicotine addicts. It’s a personal choice. Only the psychicly immature still suffer under the delusion that “someone–some big bad company–is making me smoke.” Lung cancer, heart disease, emphysema… and a reduced life expectancy and quality are what anyone who smokes can expect.

Stress is a drug not sold in stores. You make it right at home, in your own mind. Feeling compelled or obligated to do this, this, and that every single day, year after year? Stress addict. Spending more time complaining about the time you don’t have for yourself rather than taking it? Stress addict. Watching your body break down, but giving it no true loving care. Stress addict.

Stress addiction is in my genes (along with smoking, drug, food, and alcohol). I chose the more socially acceptable (even praised) path of driven achievement rather than the others, but I can feel their presence. I don’t drink alcohol at all, yet I can feel that “God, I need a drink” impulse. For me, treating stress like an addiction has some clear benefits:

1) Like recovery smokers or drug addicts, it is hard work to stay the course. I must turn to the grace of God and the support of my inner doctor for help.

2) I must develop and maintain new habits. For me those are morning meditation, exercise and yoga, massage and bodywork, a simplified lifestyle, working from home, and a deepening relationship with God.

3) I acknowledge that life balance and spirutual growth are the hardest work I will ever undertake. I am devoted to them.

Your list may be different. Yet as stress addicts, we tend to choose more achievement oriented “stress busters.” Yet, I will tell you that 20-45 minutes of silence, of meditation, or sitting ALIVE, simple, open, and receptive, will nourish and cleanse your body of stress like nothing else. If that isn’t active enough for you, try it and see what hard work it is. <smile>

Besides, God has something to say to You while you meditate that is vastly more important and intimate than anything I could. I promise.