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-   -   Aussie weather. Xmas. No booze- coping (https://www.soberrecovery.com/forums/newcomers-recovery/401432-aussie-weather-xmas-no-booze-coping.html)

PhoenixJ 12-06-2016 08:50 PM

Aussie weather. Xmas. No booze- coping
 
There are life threatening bush fires in West Aus. There are storms causing havoc in Queen-d. Victoria has nasty storms coming. I avoided walking some distance today to go to an AA meeting because the heat and humidity caused by oncoming thunderstorms causes me great discomfort because I do not sweat too well (burns). It got me thinking- such weather- especially because of Xmas, NYE etc- booze was how I used to cope, numb, celebrate, unwind. This year- not drinking is paramount. Filling in the gaps I am
- working hard on Step stuff and me.
-Study, art and music
-SR.
- Maintaining meetings, appointments to keep recovery on track.
Please anyone, anywhere- heat, snow, dust storms - whatever, share your positive coping strategies and why weather stuff does effect you. Thanks for reading.

Dee74 12-06-2016 09:03 PM

I used to say beer cooled me down but honestly nothings as good as ice cold water for that.

I bought a portable air con last year which helps and this place is set up for air flow. Pretty storm resistant too.

I used to have to be under house arrest in summer cos I just couldn't go too far before collapsing in a puddle but the scooter helps that now.

Looking forward to hearing what others face and what they do.

D

bemyself 12-06-2016 09:18 PM

Hey Phoenix (and helloooo, Adelaide!),

I can't stay on the thread right now, but on this topic re Christmas in the Southern hemisphere, for several of the things you talk about - please note my remarks (long, as ever) to wpainterw in Newcomers to Recovery forum, thread title Depression at Christmas.

xx

bemyself 12-06-2016 09:25 PM

Sorry, Phoenix, I should have said - great topic. The effects of weather (not to mention when combined with major 'holidays' wherever we are, and all those pressures) crop up a lot here. Not always as the sole topic, but certainly it's threaded throughout enough to be obvious as a regular difficulty for many of us. It's something which is not always talked about in more 'general' recovery terms, but it's part of coping with living...and our health and just individual differences can indeed be a confounding factor. Some of us are quite sensitive to changes in the weather, it's that simple.

Catch ya later.

PhoenixJ 12-06-2016 09:30 PM

bemy- yes for me it is a 'thread' about which my whole ethos and psyche about recovery is based. Weather, food, exercise, burns, booze, xmas, how people say 'hello' to me...It all helps me learn, grow and share. Weather is just one facet- but given mother nature at the moment with earthquakes in NZ, Indonesia, Japan and the weather that follows. Bushfires and weather. Went snorkelling yesterday- sunburn cream, hydrationb, recovery- burns- weather. Seemed like a good focal point. Don't get too busy. How's (in your collective mind's) the coffee capital of the Universe? I do hear you are in for more storms. We usually get WA's used weather. PJ

Dee74 12-06-2016 09:33 PM

I made a conscious decision to avoid family Xmases for a few years because they always seemed to be boozefests.

When I went back though I found the drinking was much less than I remembered.

That being said my family still ask me if I want a drink, but they're satisfied with a no by now.

D

Seren 12-07-2016 03:19 AM

I'm a non-A, and I'm in the northern hemisphere, but the shorter days tend to make me depressed, eat too much, etc. I'm trying to put a little more exercise into my day in hopes that will help!

PhoenixJ 12-07-2016 03:27 AM

Me too, Seren. Started gym a few weeks ago- with a trainer, so planned, not me thinking I'm Rambo for 10 minutes and spending a week in bed. Also doing a healthy lifestyle course- I am not a complete idiot- but if I do something in a group I feel more motivated. Gets back to the thread and feeling better 'bout myself and recovery. Good luck to you.

least 12-07-2016 04:28 AM

I live in the US and we're going into winter now. The shorter days are depressing. I try to get out at least once a day and walk the dogs. It helps me to watch them being dogs. On days when we can't walk, I feel bereft. :(

CAPTAINZING2000 12-07-2016 04:43 AM

Every winter I wish I was some where warm,
Hope you good people down there get some much needed rain.
what ever reason, the Midwest where I live , has gotten heavy rains all year. The things I take for granted, so many people world wide are of in desperate need of.

PhoenixJ 12-07-2016 05:01 AM

I think dogs are proof of god's existence. And rain is a concern. But that is the case all over I suppose. Raining here at the moment. Interesting because many people in the recovery program I am doing are very much effected by weather. 'It is going to be hot- a bad day for me then'. A definite direct influence on behaviour and recovery. Even behavioural stuff. Went snorkelling- recovery group building thingy. Hot- at the beach. 2 bald guys did not wear hats or sunburn cream Got noticeably burnt. No wonder they do not see to look after more complex issues in recovery.

Nic233 12-07-2016 02:24 PM

Hey yes I'm from Perth so long, extremely hot Summers and I've associated everything with drinking. I live across from the beach so the habit of going down with drinks after work has had to stop.. Xmas is a boozefest in my Family so this year I'm making plans to avoid! And it's my birthday on Boxing Day so the drinking would normally roll across!!!
My friends all socialise with barbies(bbq's) most weekends so summer really does make it tough for a recent non- drinker.. one day at a time hey

PhoenixJ 12-07-2016 02:32 PM

Yep Nic. My b-day is early Jan. I share it with my bro (not twins). He died a few years back from booze. I woke up in the same ICU bed space he died in, years later after nearly dying from booze. A definite trigger for me. Yes ODAAT.

Nic233 12-07-2016 02:44 PM

Oh wow Hun that's awful.., sending love xxx

PhoenixJ 12-08-2016 10:30 PM

Well booze- none. Not an inkling of a thought to drink, except horror and revulsion. Weather- gym work today. Pushed myself a lot. Started slow 3 weeks ago- now doing about 3 times the weights (arms- burns- need 2b careful), time and treadmill. Did not overheat- stopped when I felt good. Actually almost enjoyed it. Was very aware of the addictive voice craving more 'good'. So if I push myself this hard and feel good, logically saying my AL Voice- says push even harder and then I will feel great. Nope did not listen, then stopped. Heart rate told me that was a good thing to do as well.

MissPerfumado 12-09-2016 12:36 AM

Getting into exercise is a great use of the warmer weather (although I'm not sure what season we're into here in Melbourne!)

Anyhow, the longer days mean I can run after work - I'm grateful for that. I've read of many people who use running as a sobriety tool and I'm one of them. There are some truly inspiring examples right on this site.

The thing about running is that it can be a joy to run in any season. I think it's the same thing with sobriety. There's always something to be grateful that you're sober for in any season.

Take care of those burns, PJ. So nice to know you're getting into exercise as therapy.

PhoenixJ 12-09-2016 12:44 AM

Missy P. thankyou. Exercise/art/posting/journaling are a way for me to be introspective- to grow, learn, evolve into a better human- sober. The gym is also losing weight. Nerve damage (lucky - fried bit on arm and trunk, not face) means I never feel full after eating. So gained weight- actually went from 124 before burns to 73 kg on hospital d/c to 95 3weeks ago. Now with changes in diet and gym (weather plays a huge part- overheat/ less sweating due to being crispied up)I've lost 2.5 kg, give or take a gram- not that I am obsessing about it or anything. How's the coffee? PJ

Nic233 12-09-2016 12:46 AM

In Summer I use the excuse that it's too hot to exercise and in Winter it's too cold!!!
I just need to move my A**!!

PhoenixJ 12-09-2016 12:50 AM

Nic- considering I do stuff in your used weather, a fair point. Hope you are doing ok.

MissPerfumado 12-09-2016 02:07 AM

Coffee and running are my two remaining habits. Melbourne is an excellent city for both, so I'm blessed!


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