When you’ve had a stressful day or you’re tired and wanting a drink, what is your go to alternative? Soda, Na beer?
Welcome to the forum Ashtin! Usually when i have a stressful day, i unwind in other ways. I dont turn to an alternative of sorts. I like to unwind having a nice lavender essential oil bath, or i unwind thru exercise, cooking a healthy meal or ill have a nap (if time allows).
But what i found (in early recovery especially) is that i had to take care of my stress throughout the day, instead of letting it build up and then being so stressed out by the end of the day, that i wanted to drink or do drugs. If i took care of my stress as it came up, the day turned out not too bad So deep breathing, positive affirmations, gratitude lists, pausing/slowing down, grounding techniques and becoming focused in the moment all help me to this day, to battle stress. It really helps to decrease cravings
Welcome to the community!
Some great recommendations on the What are you sipping on today? thread. Hope you find something that helps you unwind and relax. I love all the ideas that Dana provided as well.
For me, fizzy drinks helped a lot like flavored carbonated waters, diet coke, or mocktails. If you’re on TikTok, I’d search for mocktail recipes.
This makes me feel old… What happened to the good old practice of search engines?
Nothing. You can obvs google it as well.
I’m old too but I’m a more visual person/learner.
Welcome @Ashtin and congrats on 2 weeks!
My go to after a stressful day is an AA meeting either in person or virtual, depending on the day or picking up the phone and chatting with a like minded person. Changing the action was key for me. I was so accustomed to going for an alcoholic drink, that going for a non alcoholic drink was still the same behavior. My recovery is all about changed behavior.
That’s a very interesting perspective, I am going to give that some further thought!