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Alcohol support

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Destress without alcohol

7 replies

Planits · 04/09/2024 21:09

I need to find a way to destress without turning to alcohol. Google gives me some useful suggestions…
have a bath… I usually do this with wine!
read a book… I can’t do this when I’m stressed
do some exercise… im fat and lazy

Basically I have ZERO motivation to do anything but I really need a better coping mechanism. What do I do? 😟

OP posts:
NailsHairNipsHeels · 04/09/2024 21:14

Would mindful apps on your phone/youtube help?
Breathing exercises and the likes.

Walking is my go to destress choice. I'm pretty fat and also lazy but I stick my shoes on and just walk with no real purpose until I feel like going back home. Sometimes I'm out for 20mins other times an hour I just walk

CrispsnDips · 04/09/2024 21:14

I could have easily had a whisky and coke tonight after a long day at work but chose a cup of decaf tea because I know I would regret the whisky in the morning, and feel a little rough. The one whisky would lead to two and there would be a big bowl of peanuts too!

Planits · 04/09/2024 21:18

I have young DC and DH is often away so can’t just up and out for exercise when I need to… not an excuse but just some context. I could do some yoga or something but I have no motivation to do it.

@CrispsnDips well done! I’m on my third glass of wine 👀

OP posts:
mindutopia · 06/09/2024 14:37

Will your dc go in a pushchair? If so, take them out for a walk. If they go to childcare and you work, go for a walk during your lunch break.

I also did a lot of listening to podcasts and going to bed early. When your Dh is home and not away, you had him dc and go do something you enjoy. Exercise, a class, crafting, whatever.

womanofleaf · 07/09/2024 00:28

Cannabis? People will frown, and I know it is just replacing one substance with another, but vaped it is probably less harmful.

A really nice coffee, maybe gives a bit of a buzz.

A hobby you actually really enjoy?

Sometimes a really engrossing series or something can help.

Something you really want that you could set aside the saved money and spend on? holiday?

A reason not to drink, for example sign up to an early morning class you enjoy? Or just get up and go visit someone, who’s not a drinker.

Honestly, it can be really difficult. I know myself, I have to really grit my teeth to not drink especially if stressed. But some days I manage it with the play it forward technique I’ve heard. So okay drink may seem to destress for a v v short lived time, then you just get sloppy, feel ill, waste money and time, and ultimately probably increase in units will likely be needed to get the same effect, and with that comes health problems and misery. I try just grit my teeth, and you kind of get used to not using it to destress after a while.

theyoungishman · 07/09/2024 01:19

Suggest trying kava to help you online, take a walk or play a game on your phone or another distraction when you get a drinking urge. Early night with an audiobook or podcast. Repeat repeat until you break the associations with drinking

theyoungishman · 07/09/2024 01:20

*help you unwind!

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