Treating Stress in San Diego
Refresh Recovery rehab in San Diego offers mental health treatment and substance use disorder care. We focus on the root causes of most triggers and relapses, including stress. Addressing stressors in our lives is crucial for a healthy lifestyle, and at Refresh Recovery, we use science-based practices to support recovery and maintain mental well-being.
Understanding and Attending Stress with Science
Stress is our body’s reaction to pressures from challenging life situations. It can manifest as a feeling of being overwhelmed or under pressure.
While technically not a mental condition, stress is a sign of underlying issues and can lead to illness.
Moderate stress can be beneficial, but if it becomes overwhelming and difficult to manage over time, seeking help is crucial.
The coronavirus (Covid-19) outbreak has understandably caused widespread anxiety and stress. It’s understandable to feel this way given the unprecedented uncertainty and fear the pandemic has brought to the world.
Is it Stress or Anxiety?
Stress vs. anxiety: what is the difference?
Stress and anxiety share similar symptoms. Both can cause irritability, sleep problems, and muscle tension. So the difference can be hard to spot.
The key distinction: stress has a clear external cause. Anxiety persists even when the cause is gone — or appears without a clear cause at all.
Both respond to treatment. CBT, mindfulness training, and lifestyle changes all help. When stress co-occurs with anxiety, integrated treatment addresses both at once.
Am I Stressed?
Your body tells you when stress becomes too much.
The biological signals are clear once you know what to look for.
Physical signs:
- Persistent headaches or tension
- Sleep disturbances
- Chronic fatigue
- Digestive problems
- Frequent illnesses (weakened immune system)
- Changes in appetite
- Muscle tension and pain
Emotional and behavioral signs:
- Irritability or short temper
- Difficulty concentrating
- Feeling overwhelmed by routine tasks
- Withdrawal from people you usually enjoy
- Increased use of alcohol or substances to cope
- Persistent worry or sense of dread
Three or more of these consistently? That is your body asking for help.
Stress Facts
The stress numbers are sobering.
Recent data on stress in the United States and beyond:
- University students report higher stress levels than at any point in the last 30 years
- Nearly half of American adults report being more anxious than the year before
- Workplace stress costs the U.S. economy an estimated $300 billion annually in lost productivity
- Chronic stress is linked to heart disease, diabetes, and accelerated aging
- Stress is one of the most common triggers for substance use and relapse
You are not imagining the pressure. It is real, it is widespread, and it deserves real treatment.
At Refresh Recovery, our stress treatment combines evidence-based therapy, mindfulness training, and lifestyle coaching. When stress co-occurs with anxiety, depression, or substance use, we treat all of it together.
Treatment for Stress at Refresh Recovery rehab San Diego
What stress treatment looks like at Refresh.
Refresh Recovery in San Diego empowers clients with practical tools to manage stress. Our approach is structured but personalized.
Your treatment plan may include:
- Cognitive behavioral therapy — restructures thought patterns that fuel stress
- Mindfulness training — builds present-moment awareness
- Breathing techniques — activates the body’s natural calming response
- Lifestyle coaching — sleep, movement, nutrition, social connection
- Group therapy — peer support and shared learning
- Medication management — when clinically appropriate
You do not have to keep “powering through.” Reach out for a confidential assessment.