What's your go-to for a bad day in recovery?
 

I'm not sure this is the order they go in for me, but these are my favorites for soothing the addicted brain:

Warm Epsom salt baths

Either resting with books or tablet, or napping in bed with clean sheets and my down comforter

Exercise, the kind that leaves me breathless, drained, red faced and sweaty

A good project, the kind that leaves satisfying results

Massage (if I can afford one!)

Bath with bergamot and ginger

Meditation

Cheeseburger with salad and relish

Chocolate!

Good food. Interacting with my dogs, either petting them or giving them a treat or walking them if possible. A nice little dog walk always makes me feel better. :)

- Getting haircut
- Hot, spicy food
- Bath
- Buying shoes!
- Buying books
- Coming to SR
- Reading
- Watching a very 'light' film
- Playing word quizzes
- Chocolate
- Planning my next holiday
- Most of all......sleep!
As you will see getting sober has been expensive and not great for my weight.......

Saying to my alter ego, the addicted voice in my head: ‘Just so we’re clear, even if today sucks, I will not drink.’

* Going to an AA Meeting
* Checking in on SR
* Ordering take-out
* Getting a facial, massage, or pedicure
* Taking some time of work if possible
* Going to bed early and reading for awhile
*Checking in with my family/those I love
* Coffee
* Ice Cream. Always ice cream

Gym/personal trainer
Walk with boyfriend
AA meetings!!
Peanut butter sandwich
Poutine
Funny TV show

Asking my HP for guidance
AA Meeting
Therapy session with a poodle :)
Playing a game online (usually a card game...hearts, spades, poker)

Come to think of it that's what I do on a good day too.

My HP
SR
My wife
Ride my bike or go for a long walk.
Ice cream and a cheesy movie or mindless realty show.
Last but certainly not least, I emerse myself in my coin collection. I'm am amateur coin collector. There's always more research to be done. Really takes my mind off anything that might be bothering me.

Having a bad day for me means going back to basics:

- Hot bath. I can't overstate how much this simple pleasure helps me.
- Flake out time in bed/on couch. Get cozy and watch some TV or play some video games.
- Quality time with my son. Lately because of the weather this means playing video games together or building Lego.
- AA meeting. Even on those days where I don't feel motivated, I drag my butt to my local meeting. Bad days are the ones where I *need* a meeting.

For me it's about finding comfort in the above sober activities, and having them in my 'toolbox' as a way to self soothe instead of engaging in destructive behaviours. I don't feel guilty anymore if the dishes don't get done, or laundry is put off by one day. I know I'm not lazy and those things will get done eventually. But I listen to myself and acknowledge my moods, instead of pushing through them in the past with less than stellar results.

usually its something thats alreayd been mentioned.

but if lifes really kicking me in the teeth I usually eagerly look forward to bedtime so that i can just hurry up and be done with said day and be on to another new one with a clean slate to try it again.

I like everything that’s already been said. :) For me a nice nap and then a hot coffee usually gets me feeling better and able to deal with whatever.

What's your go-to for a bad day in recovery?

trudging while knowing
this,too, shall pass.

There are a few people I call - strong sober women who I use as mentors. They can usually set my head on straight.
Other things are:
A hot shower, fresh jammies and a book.
A heavy workout to get my endorphins flowing.
A meeting.
Reaching out my hand to another alcoholic.

I use positive mindset. I remind myself that there are no bad days in recovery, only good days, simply because I’m not drinking! The bad days were drinking days, and they’re over.

AA meeting
Reaching out to another alcoholic
Cheeseburger

What is relish? :)

Sleep
AA meeting

An American vegetable, similar to ketchup! ;-)