If you don’t drink what do you do to relax?

[C1239]

I’ve never been a big drinker but I find now even a glass of wine or prosecco leaves me feeling not great the next day so I just don’t feel like the odd drink is worth it anymore. It must be an age thing?! Just wondering what other people do to get to get that relaxed feeling or just to feel the difference between a week day evening and a weekend if they tend not to drink?

Pottering about in the garden. It's become my sanctuary since COVID. I wish I'd taken it up years ago.
I've been teetotal since I found out I was pregnant in '95.

Watch Disney plus, guided meditations and exercise.

Have a nice hot or cold drink - mocktail, or herbal tea. Something I wouldn't normally have during the day. Really like a PPs suggestion about music whilst cooking! Saturday night I listen to a show called Stereo Underground whilst making dinner so that would do it for me.

I quit cigarettes for vaping and I drink a lot of tea, I like to listen to audio books and crochet which can almost be quite meditative and I find it calming (when my yarn doesn't end up in massive knots - then it isn't relaxing at all!!)

Following, so many encouraging ideas!

@lobsterkiller what's a weed vape?

The same things that anyone who drinks does just without alcohol. Most of the time. I do have a small beer occasionally with a friend while we're having dinner and then we do other stuff without alcohol.

I think you're out of practice and are probably not drinking enough to feel relaxed. Obviously the more you do of something, the more stamina you build, and the better you get at it. I have a few glasses of white wine at lunchtime and then cocktails in the afternoon as an aperitif, before more wine with supper. It's also nice to finish with a liquor or a glass of Bailey's as a nightcap before bedtime. I have found Tequila keeps me awake so it's much better to drink that during the day, which I do when I'm outside on the sun lounger as it makes me think of Mexico.

pot of tea and bar of chocolate

I reckon that relaxation is mostly an attitude - consciously letting go of whatever you've been busy with and stepping into a different state of mind. If you need a focus to help with that, then anything pleasant will help. Going for a walk, listening to music, reading a book, soaking in a bath, or just stepping out into the garden with a cup of tea - these all work for me. If you want an alcohol subsitute, I recommend Indian tonic water, ice and a splosh of Angostura bitters (or just a slice of lime).

I've taken to having a diet sprite in a wine glass since I gave up the actual wine. It's fancy and hydrating 😊 and since I usually drink diluting juice, it still feels extravagant.

Yoga, walks with my dogs, medical marijuana.

Not entirely sure what alcohol has got to do with relaxing to be honest. I'm not a big drinker but when I do I don't feel anymore relaxed than drinking a cup of coffee. Bath or reading makes me relax.

A nice hot bubble bath...... ill be in there for an hour with a good book. Then I curl up on the sofa with a cuppa in my pj's and slippers, again with the book or just watching tv

When I want to relax I put on an old Tom Jones record - really takes me back to my disco days! my hubby also enjoys dancing along to 'sex bomb' - the kids are mortified
So my advice is to put on some funky music and 'dance like nobody is watching'!!

• Janet

How do this work if you don’t mind me asking? Used to have a vape but it used cartridges of liquid that were then impossible to get ahold off so had to buy a whole new kit every time so gave up on it and smoke the old fashioned way now 😂

Cannabis infused beverages (a definite perk of living in Canada!) They work out far cheaper than alcoholic drinks for the equivalent relaxing effects if DH and I are just going to be chilling at home. Plus I sleep like a log afterwards and have zero negative effects the next day.

I still prefer booze for social events, when I want to have more energy, but it doesn't take much alcohol for me to feel run down the next day so I have to be careful to not over indulge.

I really miss being able to vape weed (not a big drinker and hate all the calories). The problem is our archaic drug testing methods in the UK.

I used to work for a company that used swab tests which generally showed up to about 24hrs previous use (testing for THC) so I could have a cheeky vape on a Fri night or week off. However, most places use urine analysis which can have you failing long after the active ingredient is out your system, as they test for liver metabolites created in breaking down the THC. Can literally get fired for 'being under the influence' a few weeks after smoking.

I go for a short walk and look at the birds, trees, clouds, and flowers.

Drink doesn't destress me in the slightest! My dog is the best stress relief going. So dogs. That is the answer.

Watch trashy TV.
Cuddle up on the sofa with the dog and/or the cats.
End up in random wormholes on Reddit or Wikipedia.

I also horse ride once a week which has made a huge difference!

@1Wanda1 It's a vape, where you put dry weed into it. I use because I don't like the smell of burning weed and it means I'm not doing too much like a joint would be.

One of those garnier moisture bomb face masks and some coconut water. It's refreshing but not 'heavy' like some juices can be.
Highly recommend. Add a cat to pet in your lap at the same time.
Its so relaxing I've fallen asleep a couple of times with mask still on lol

Go for a walk.
Eat chocolate.
Watch trash telly.
I don’t drink alcohol at all, but one of the above usually works!

I'm teetotal so I'll have a glass of tonic water with a slice of lemon. It tastes much the same with or without gin in it.
I also have a lot of hobbies. Knitting, crochet, making dollshouse miniatures fron kits, painting, gardening after work although it will be too dark for that soon. Also a brisk walk makes you feel better.