Occupational Therapy and Stress Management

Occupational therapy and stress management go hand in hand. Occupational therapy is a type of therapy that teaches the patient to be independent and function effectively in society. Along with practical skills for living, stress management skills are crucial to success. An occupational therapist will teach strategies for managing stress in a healthy and effective way. Many patients undergoing occupational therapy are mentally or physically disabled and are learning new skills.

Frustration can arise when skills are not mastered or progress is stalled. Stress management techniques can help the patient deal with these frustrations in such a way that is not harmful to themselves or others. Occupational therapy is often provided to individuals who are going through inpatient rehabilitation for substance abuse. Stress management is also crucial for these individuals because stress is often a contributing factor to substance abuse in the first place. Some people turn to drugs or alcohol as a coping mechanism when stressed but find they're in more trouble than ever. The coping mechanism of substance abuse becomes an additional problem and raises the stress level of the addict even higher.

There are a variety of different techniques an occupational therapist may use when it comes to stress management. One easy technique that is taught to many different patients is deep breathing. By taking a few minutes to take slow, calm, deep breaths and focus on the process a person can take their mind off the stressor and become more centered and able to cope. Another technique is progressive body relaxation, which focuses on tensing and relaxing each part of the body in turn. Creative visualization is yet another common technique used by therapists to fight stress. When using creative visualization, one may imagine themselves in a relaxing setting. The trick to this technique is being as detailed and vivid with your imagination as you can get.

If you want to learn more about occupational therapy and stress management, speak to your healthcare professional. You may also want to read some books on these subjects. Here are a few ideas for your bookshelf: Mind and Body Stress Relief with the Alexander Technique by Richard Brennan, The Fun Factor: Your Prescription for Stress Relief at Work and at Home by Cheryl Nason and Quick Reference to Occupational Therapy by Kathlyn L. Reed.





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