Caledonia1

Hi everyone, I'm 8 months sober now and would love some ideas on how to de-stress and slow down at times. I'm always rushing about getting things done, even when I promise myself today is going to be different and I'm going to slow down, I never do. Eventually either my body just says HALT! or I get really agitated.

Does anyone else experience this? How do you relax or slow down?

Thank you

RobbyRobot

I un-stress and relax by first accepting I'm going over the top with myself, which is not unusual for me, lol. I enjoy a healthy measure of stress as it is useful for keeping me sharp and attentive to the matters at hand. I guess what I'm saying here is i really avoid fighting against my stress experiences.

Acceptance is key to unpugging and slowing down...

Stress is a very normal happening experience, and not the bad guy for me in my relaxed lifestyle.

After acceptance, any number of ways work to further unplug. Meditation works best for me when I'm alone. Laughter and good times with friends also goes along way to enjoy being relaxed. Hobbies and reading, movies, chess, etc.

The other thing is, some people are just naturally stressed, and that itself does not have to be a problem if acceptance is embraced.

Congrats on your sobriety!

Dee74

Balance is really important for me.

I need non work time - sometimes that means saying no to other people or myself....noone else is going to set aside time for you to relax

When I set aside that non work time, exercise is really good, music is great for me too - either playing or listening....or some other hobby or pastime I really enjoy....

a funny movie can do wonders as well

D

hypochondriac

I'll swap ya some of your energy for my tiredness

My sober time so far has been characterised by a kind of restlessness and the ability to get really stressed really easily. I figured it was my inability to respond to stressful situations in any kind of rational manner. I guess that is something I will learn.

Ever the glutton for punishment I am trying to forgive myself for doing nice things which I like doing, and being honest with myself with what I want to do with my time rather than doing what other people seem to expect me to be doing. I figured that my life is calmer if I put aside time to read every day. That's my thing, it keeps me grounded and if I feel stressed it shuts my head up. Try doing something just for yourself every day, even if it's only for ten minutes x

TorontoGuy28

Going to the gym for weight and cardio does it for me....

During the day, while at the office, I typically have to stop and tell myself to RELAX !

dirk41

I'm really struggling with this too, 2 weeks on.

It feels like my brain is in overdrive and I used to
use alcohol to 'calm down'.

I find reading really good.

buickbeast

Running always clears my mind. All you do is concrete on breathing and the runner's high afterwords is incredible.

JusBeYurself

When I need to calm down or relax. I either read a book, or take a nap. Just do something you enjoy. And just relax. Deep breaths. Dont over do it.

Dee74

I used drink and drugs to slow down too...my brain always went at a million miles an hour too...

either I've gotten used to it, or it no longer does that, because I'm not aware of it being a problem anymore

D

Caledonia1

Thank you everyone for all your tips and sound advice.

A balance is what I strive for and so want to achieve it, soon hopefully.

Alcohol was always my escape but that's no longer in my thoughts, thankfullt.