Stress - alternatives to getting drunk, diazepam or exercise?

I am sorry you are struggling 😔. We need to bear in mind that we are all individuals and react and cope with things in different ways, so what works for some ppl won't work for others.
Everything seems a hundred times worse at night. Additionally it is a very lonely time, ringing the Samaritans is a good idea, I can't imagine exercising in the night but getting up having a cup of tea and watching something crap on TV sometimes helps. My trauma manifests itself as night terrors which is unpleasant for my grown up kids when it happens. Talking to a therapist helped initially, I am not sure if that is something you have done. But now Talking sometimes triggers me too.
I am taking medication but after the summer I am going to get advice about weaning myself off it, I have an event before then to draw a line under what happened but I am not ashamed to take the medication and am very grateful for the help it has given me.
Please reach out when you need to, there are ppl out there that are kind, empathetic and helpful as well as the trolls .💕

Another relaxing activity is Yoga Nidra, which is a guided relaxation. Lots on YouTube, but I especially like Ally Boothroyd who has a lot of different ones with different background music, so you can find one that works for you. I really like binaural beats, which help slow down your heartbeat.

You’re already describing addiction.

Go back to your GP. You need some professional help beyond a quick fix.

Lots of good suggestions. I actually find being on here helps when my mind is racing - not just reading threads though. I go onto "active" and then "unanswered" and I go through and answer as many as I can, because there is nothing more dispiriting than posting something and having zero replies. After a while of that I feel like I've hopefully helped a few people and properly distracted my brain.

Complete change of scenery? A retreat? Only thing that ever works for me - sun, being near the sea and a simple spa, with space to just to be and to journal to reset purpose. I found - and can still find - routine a triggering factor.

Distraction: find a small but real job and do it. Clear out your sock drawer, scrub the shower screen.

Also exercise in the house. Could be the sweaty sort with a YouTube video but I find a ten minute yoga video calms me. They'll force you to breathe properly and to focus on your body and it'll help get you out of your head. Or a mindfulness session; it'll help you go 'yes, this is real, but it's just my mind doing this and I can work my way through it'.

Which is precisely the point OP is making

@ICouldDoWithALifeReset I understand how difficult it is with the diazapam, I was prescribed sleeping tablets. When something makes life just about bearable it's hard to give it up. There are some really good tips on here, it is going to take time.

Long-term help for me is: yoga, meditation, journalling feelings and things that go well too, music, drawing, walking in nature, socialising with friends. Try to look after yourself with nutritious food and self-care, even when you don't feel like it's doing anything, eventually it will.

Some really good ideas on here OP.

I would add you could go for a night walk (depends whether your area is safe). More feasible as the nights get lighter.

Walking outside.
Borrow a dog and walk somewhere green (i love a towpath walk). This has helped me through lots of difficult situations.

Hi @TourangaLeila I understand what you saying but I don't think it's helping the OP at all at moment. Might be best just to stop posting on this thread.

I'm not kicking anyone.

Grief creates addicts if you allow it to persuade you to abuse substances to cope.

The OP is already exhibiting drug-seeking behaviours by latching onto the first person who suggested an alternative substance (propranolol)

I am stating that there are ways through without substances and that the op can decide not to be a passenger. There is nothing wrong with that.

Here is a Ted talk by a woman who had one of the worst things I can think of happen to her. She states similar sentiments.

If there’s no one to talk to or you feel bad for offloading again, a listening service like Samaritans could help. Lots of people call about grief and you’ll get a compassionate ear to offload onto with zero guilt. Open 24/7 but be warned you’ll have a wait if it’s 3am.

No need to be alone OP. People are out there to help you.

Cbd
sleeping tablets (over the counter)
this probably doesn’t help but I had a catastrophic series of events happen to me and decided the only way to heal
was to live through the pain

Meditation
Mindfulness
Journalling
Art
Crafting
Yoga
All can help you de-stress.

Call The Samaritans if you need to talk and it is late.

My DD had diazepam in a similar situation,

Sometimes it is needed.

Personally, a weighted blanket, someone to hold your hand or failing that a cat or dog and a weepy film so you can cry your eyes out works for me.

Yoga
Meditation
A bath
Gardening
Go for a walk
Pets

@ICouldDoWithALifeReset I'm so sorry for your loss. As someone who has had a very stressful, traumatic year some things that helped me were writing down how I felt (even in the middle of the night). When you're not feeling stressed and ready, I found a Grief pack on Headspace very helpful with dealing with overwhelming feelings. Also, therapy if you can access it, again processing feelings can help stop less of the overwhelming feelings, particularly in the evening and night. Exercise is good, late at night gentle stretching, relaxing exercise or breathing exercises may help.

Why do you think they are posting here? What cheap thrill does it give you kicking someone who is obviously down? Maybe take a look at yourself

This is going to sound a little woo woo, but a small hand drum or tambourine - you can dampen them so they're quiet. Creating and listening to a rhythm is soothing, I won't pretend to know the science but it has an impact on the amygdala, which is where our 'fight or flight' instinct is generated.

I think that's unfair.

@TourangaLeila is correct that using substances to get through situational depression is a very bad idea. I can tell you that treatment centres are full of people who did just that.

Grief is something you have to process. You either process it at the time, or you process it later. The waves of debilitating grief are horribly normal.

Things that help you process grief and other negative emotions more fully and healthily are things like talking to other people who understand, dancing (really), walking, running and other 'swaying' exercise. If you can do more of this generally, you may find it helps.

I'm so sorry BTW, it's awful.