How to De-Stress?
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 30
How to De-Stress?
Okay, so a week into not drinking now and I have had the most head spinning, busy day at work. Usually I grab a six pack on the way home, but that's not an option anymore.
I've exercised the last couple of days but know for sure that I'm too exhausted for that today. What have all of you turned to to de-stress after work now that you're sober?
I've exercised the last couple of days but know for sure that I'm too exhausted for that today. What have all of you turned to to de-stress after work now that you're sober?
Sober-T- Dragon
Join Date: Oct 2016
Location: Manitoba
Posts: 8,756
Normally I don't watch much TV but last night I found myself vegging out in front of it... Kept me from snacking all night long....
Tonight, I'm going to the gym to do nothing but sit in the hot tub and steam room (Sore back). I might even hit the therapy pool if there are no classes.
January, who you got buried under those rocks?
Tonight, I'm going to the gym to do nothing but sit in the hot tub and steam room (Sore back). I might even hit the therapy pool if there are no classes.
January, who you got buried under those rocks?
Last edited by STDragon; 10-27-2016 at 03:07 PM. Reason: Spelling
Giving up is NOT an option.
Join Date: Jan 2015
Location: Western Wisconsin
Posts: 7,808
Warm bath. Cup of tea. A walk, just to get moving a little, not for exercise. Read a book - nothing heavy, just something fun. Play candy crush or something similar. Cuddle a pet if you have them. Cuddle a human if you can. Learn to meditate. Get a coloring book for grown-ups. Write in a journal. Go to a meeting.
The above are all things I do when I need to de-stress. Not all on the same day.
You'll find a few things that really work for you, way better than drinking ever did anyway.
The above are all things I do when I need to de-stress. Not all on the same day.
You'll find a few things that really work for you, way better than drinking ever did anyway.
Member
Join Date: Feb 2016
Posts: 2,654
Me too, adult colouring books, excercising, meditating, caring for, hugging and stroking my pets. Plus, I enjoyed challenging game/puzzle apps on my iPad - but I've recently achieved 'Grand Master' status in each game, so it's not a challenge anymore - I'll have to download some new ones!
Edited to add, gardening! It's Autumn in the UK and the leaves are a challenge. When I was drinking I let them lie, the earthworms would drag them into the ground, but it was unsightly and slippy underfoot.
Now I use leaf blower/ collector, that had been gathering dust in my garage for more than five years! The joys of sobriety....leaf collecting!
Edited to add, gardening! It's Autumn in the UK and the leaves are a challenge. When I was drinking I let them lie, the earthworms would drag them into the ground, but it was unsightly and slippy underfoot.
Now I use leaf blower/ collector, that had been gathering dust in my garage for more than five years! The joys of sobriety....leaf collecting!
Administrator
Join Date: Apr 2007
Location: Australia
Posts: 211,373
Some good ideas here NL -
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...44-stress.html
http://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/...44-stress.html
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NC
Posts: 662
Have you ever heard the saying that you never regret a workout? I find even when I am tired I push myself to still work out and take care of myself. I remind myself to what lengths I went to get my DOC and that I was never to tired to go out and get it. I remind myself that I would have walked as far as it took to get it and then I ask myself "So you did ANYTHING to destroy yourself, so why aren't you willing to work as hard to better yourself?"
If that line of thinking doesn't work then there is always movies/t.v, meditation really helps me de-stress, warm baths/nightly bed time routines are very helpful, reading, coloring, calling a friend- the options are endless and I bet you already know the answer to your own question.
If that line of thinking doesn't work then there is always movies/t.v, meditation really helps me de-stress, warm baths/nightly bed time routines are very helpful, reading, coloring, calling a friend- the options are endless and I bet you already know the answer to your own question.
Member
Thread Starter
Join Date: Oct 2016
Posts: 30
Originally Posted by AdelineRose 
Have you ever heard the saying that you never regret a workout? I find even when I am tired I push myself to still work out and take care of myself. I remind myself to what lengths I went to get my DOC and that I was never to tired to go out and get it. I remind myself that I would have walked as far as it took to get it and then I ask myself "So you did ANYTHING to destroy yourself, so why aren't you willing to work as hard to better yourself?"
If that line of thinking doesn't work then there is always movies/t.v, meditation really helps me de-stress, warm baths/nightly bed time routines are very helpful, reading, coloring, calling a friend- the options are endless and I bet you already know the answer to your own question.
If that line of thinking doesn't work then there is always movies/t.v, meditation really helps me de-stress, warm baths/nightly bed time routines are very helpful, reading, coloring, calling a friend- the options are endless and I bet you already know the answer to your own question.
I'm sure in the moments when all I can think about is how badly I want a drink, it will be nice to have these suggestions to come back to. I love your line: "So you did ANYTHING to destroy yourself, so why aren't you willing to work as hard to better yourself?" I think that's a good way to stay motivated to make healthier choices even when I don't feel like it. But like I said, a week into this I don't want to add too much stress either. I'm sure I will be in a whole different place mentally a month from now.
Member
Join Date: Mar 2016
Location: NC
Posts: 662
That line has kept me moving forward and basically not destroying myself on more occasions than I can't count. There was a point I walked through a blizzard through 2 feet of snow for over a mile to get heroin...reminding myself of that really makes me get my ass in gear.
I have found trying new random hobbies can be fun or a disaster depending on what it is I am attempting to try. I find baking is something I truly enjoy
I have found trying new random hobbies can be fun or a disaster depending on what it is I am attempting to try. I find baking is something I truly enjoy
Member
Join Date: Aug 2016
Location: Nashville
Posts: 326
The nature of my job is stressful and that will never change, so I understand the need to come home at night and relax. I too would stop by a store every night after work to pick up beer.
My de-stressors:
- Hot baths w/ epsom salts and candles
-Reading (I order lots of novels off Amazon)
-I keep my fridge stocked with LaCroix water. It really helps when you're missing that carbonated feeling from beer.
-Journaling
-Reading blogs
-I would say yoga, but I'm usually too exhausted after work to do it then.
-Watch Netflix or a movie
My de-stressors:
- Hot baths w/ epsom salts and candles
-Reading (I order lots of novels off Amazon)
-I keep my fridge stocked with LaCroix water. It really helps when you're missing that carbonated feeling from beer.
-Journaling
-Reading blogs
-I would say yoga, but I'm usually too exhausted after work to do it then.
-Watch Netflix or a movie
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