Dealing with stress...
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Join Date: Feb 2018
Posts: 109
Dealing with stress...
Many people, when they have extremely stressful events in life, they drink to temporarily numb the pain. Obviously as alcoholics this is not an option for us, it will only make the situation much worse when we sober up. So I was wondering how many of you deal with stress, emotional pain, etc. It's something that has led me to relapse in the past and I'm sure many on here can relate.
As many of you know relapsing due to stress is a very real threat in early sobriety when many of our lives are a mess. I think it's important that we have proven tactics to use when stress comes because as you all know - just because we get clean doesn't mean our life will magically become perfect, it can be quite the opposite at sometimes.
Myself I like the a hard gym workout that leaves me exhausted, I like to write about what is stressing me out and some of the practical options, or watch a movie with popcorn/soda. Of course I can always sleep it off and try and deal with it the next day when I feel a little better.
As many of you know relapsing due to stress is a very real threat in early sobriety when many of our lives are a mess. I think it's important that we have proven tactics to use when stress comes because as you all know - just because we get clean doesn't mean our life will magically become perfect, it can be quite the opposite at sometimes.
Myself I like the a hard gym workout that leaves me exhausted, I like to write about what is stressing me out and some of the practical options, or watch a movie with popcorn/soda. Of course I can always sleep it off and try and deal with it the next day when I feel a little better.
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Join Date: Jul 2017
Location: UK
Posts: 3,514
I find going for a walk helps me relax. Also I do try and practice mindfulness though I'm still on a learning curve for actually doing it properly. But on the occasions I have managed to do it properly it has worked wonders in relaxing me and reducing stress.
I've never been able to do something like watch a movie in order to relax, I have a short attention span and find my mind wandering after a short period of time.
I've never been able to do something like watch a movie in order to relax, I have a short attention span and find my mind wandering after a short period of time.
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Join Date: May 2019
Location: UK
Posts: 3,940
I’m not sure about this. Do people drink because they’re stressed? It’s all a bit chicken and egg. As a drinker, I’d get stressed because I needed a drink. What an irony.
Think about people who’ve never drunk for religious reasons or whatever. They’ll get stressed too, but they’re not dependent on alcohol like we are/were.
In early withdrawal, I definitely craved for alcohol to “relieve stress”, but that was 99% craving for alcohol and 1% genuine stress. It’s such a myth that alcohol relaxes us.
Walking and gym are 100000 times better than booze.
Robbie, I’ve tried to break into the world of mindfulness with almost no success. I’m doing a weekend meditation retreat soon, and I’m not overly confident I’ll last
I’ll go in with an open mind, so we’ll see.
Think about people who’ve never drunk for religious reasons or whatever. They’ll get stressed too, but they’re not dependent on alcohol like we are/were.
In early withdrawal, I definitely craved for alcohol to “relieve stress”, but that was 99% craving for alcohol and 1% genuine stress. It’s such a myth that alcohol relaxes us.
Walking and gym are 100000 times better than booze.
Robbie, I’ve tried to break into the world of mindfulness with almost no success. I’m doing a weekend meditation retreat soon, and I’m not overly confident I’ll last
I’ll go in with an open mind, so we’ll see.
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Originally Posted by Robbie64 
I find going for a walk helps me relax. Also I do try and practice mindfulness though I'm still on a learning curve for actually doing it properly. But on the occasions I have managed to do it properly it has worked wonders in relaxing me and reducing stress.
I've never been able to do something like watch a movie in order to relax, I have a short attention span and find my mind wandering after a short period of time.
I've never been able to do something like watch a movie in order to relax, I have a short attention span and find my mind wandering after a short period of time.
I just take the dog outside for a long walk. In fact, that's what really helped me in the beginning of the sobriety journey. When I got a strong craving, I'd go walk for 15 or 20 minutes...helped stifle it.
bona fido dog-lover
Join Date: Mar 2008
Location: SF Bay area, CA
Posts: 99,776
When I was early in sobriety and felt stressed/craving a drink, I'd take my dogs for a walk. Even just 20 minutes walking with them relaxed my mind and put it in a better place. And I couldn't stay stressed for too long after watching them just 'being dogs', checking their peemail and looking at everything like it was brand new, even tho we always went the same route.
And I couldn't stay stressed for too long after watching them just 'being dogs', checking their peemail and looking at everything like it was brand new, even tho we always went the same route.
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