Stress busters that aren't food and alcohol

Krohnie
Krohnie Posts: 286 Member
in Health and Weight Loss
Ok, I need to get going. I need to make massive change and see some results. I'm going to focus on the one thing that I think is hurting me the most. Drinking. I have a drink or three after a bad day, after the kids go crazy, to celebrate, to relax, whatever. What are some better ways to beat my stress, to calm down and relax without having wine? I just need some ideas how to cope with a crazy life and family without yelling and having a drink. Thoughts? Thanks

Replies

  • allshebe
    allshebe Posts: 423 Member
    Hit on something? Volley a tennis ball against a wall, speed bag, heavy bag, go historical and whack a "pell" with a "sword". Pretty much anything "high energy" physical should do the trick. Even going for a walk helps, though you might "need" to start out at a 4MPH pace when you leave the house (no harm if you "mutter" and "express your feelings" as you walk as well). When you've found some calm, have a discussion with the "stress causers", if possible and try to "negotiate" ways to reduce the stresses. Alcohol doesn't really "fix" stress - it just numbs your feelings.
  • AllTehBeers
    AllTehBeers Posts: 5,030 Member
    _____


    I've got nothing.
  • mockchoc
    mockchoc Posts: 6,573 Member
    Walking or any other exercise you like or meditation.
  • pinkraynedropjacki
    pinkraynedropjacki Posts: 3,027 Member
    Running. Simple as that.


    Good on you for realizing that drinking is NOT the answer to anything.
  • rosemaryhon
    rosemaryhon Posts: 507 Member
    sexual pleasure ;)
  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    Running. Sensuously. It gives me a high that I can't explain. I have been doing c25k. I did week 7 today.
  • leonaedithlewis
    leonaedithlewis Posts: 75 Member
    I Love Zumba. It really works out my frustrations. Calling someone to chat and share how things are going helps relieve stress. Meditation is supposed to be great, but I can't say this from personal experience. Picking up a new sport or training for a 5k run/walk can be great.
  • Proyecto_AN
    Proyecto_AN Posts: 387
    Sex and meditation.
  • 970Mikaela1
    970Mikaela1 Posts: 2,013 Member
    There you have it. The ladies beat me to all the good answers.
  • Unknown
    Unknown
    This content has been removed.
  • BinaryPulsar
    BinaryPulsar Posts: 8,927 Member
    Yoga, walking, dancing, lifting weights, meditation, breathing, tea, sex, bath, massage, being outdoors, sleeping.

    Oh, yeah, I also agree with music and self defense classes.
  • lithezebra
    lithezebra Posts: 3,670 Member
    Exercise, yoga, and music, for me.
  • tehzephyrsong
    tehzephyrsong Posts: 435 Member
    Exercise is my stress-buster, but it sounds like you could benefit from some counseling. I'm not saying you should go walk into the nearest AA meeting, don't get me wrong. But "a drink or three" to unwind because "the kids are crazy" really doesn't sound like a healthy way to deal with life, and if it's not a problem yet, it likely will be. You have a duty as a parent to your kids to be a role model; do you want them to struggle with the same things you struggle with now? Come on, you're better than that. The fact that you're even asking this question means you're better than that. Please, look into some professional help. Cognitive-behavioral therapy or CBT may be useful for you.
  • katy_trail
    katy_trail Posts: 1,992 Member
    another vote for hitting or punching something, if you're into it, heavy lifting is also a stress reliever,
    and you'll feel so strong afterwards and confident. accomplished. but you would need to be calm enough
    to do the lifts safely.
  • Autumnsun26
    Autumnsun26 Posts: 83 Member
    Cardio or sex works for me.
  • tigerblue
    tigerblue Posts: 1,526 Member
    Running. It kept me sane for the past 2 years!
  • vjohn04
    vjohn04 Posts: 2,276 Member
    bubble bath.
    go for a run.
  • JenniTheVeggie
    JenniTheVeggie Posts: 2,474 Member
    Running. Sensuously. It gives me a high that I can't explain. I have been doing c25k. I did week 7 today.

    Lol.. Seriously... Not sensuously...
  • pennydreadful270
    pennydreadful270 Posts: 266 Member
    I ike to put call of duty on the xbox and shoot some people.
  • AnJulNZ
    AnJulNZ Posts: 186 Member
    Sex, have a bubble bath, SLEEP, pat a cat, play some music you love, go for a walk. Meditate.
    I think the idea of getting some counselling would help, this could become a big problem fast and that's the last thing you want. You've made the first step by acknowledging you have a bit of a problem, that's the hardest part, so I think you're already on your way.
    Good luck, and believe in yourself. You deserve better.
  • JamesDanek
    JamesDanek Posts: 95 Member
    Lift something heavy... Maybe not the kids though.

    Get some weights and do some big old compound lifts. 20 minutes of that and you won't want that drink!
  • stephaniekhani
    stephaniekhani Posts: 77 Member
    I've had the same problem as you off and on for the last two years, which of course has had a massive effect on my weight (hello, yo-yo!). For me, different things work for different times or situations. Exercise or yoga helps, reading a good book, bubble bath, writing (artistic stuff in general) and cooking.
  • FindingSexy
    FindingSexy Posts: 26 Member
    Walking, gardening, hot bath, mani & pedi, arts & crafts… :laugh: LAUGHING!
  • XXXMinnieXXX
    XXXMinnieXXX Posts: 3,459 Member
    Either exercise or for me putting my headphones on and blasting it loudly. My partner was given something called chlordiazepoxide it helped the anxiety whilst cutting down drinks. It's specifically for people trying to do so, if that's something you feel you need.

    Zara.
  • somanyrhoades
    somanyrhoades Posts: 107 Member
    Meditation(by far the most long lasting and effective in my opinion), yoga (my personal favorite), exercise in any form, just going for a nice leisurely walk, hot tea, epsom salt bath with lavender oil, massage, reflexology, read a good book, surf the web for pics of cute animals, write down three things you are grateful for (or any other type of journaling), meet up with a friend for a cup of coffee, sing, dance, smile (studies show if you smile, even if you don't mean it, it lifts your mood), stretch, get out into nature (just 5 minutes can improve mood and destress you), garden or find any other hobby, paint (or better yet finger paint), hug someone, do something nice for a stranger (definitely improves mood, especially if done anonymously) do a word puzzle like a crossword or sudoku, and.... hmmm, those are all my tricks to get myself out of a stress related funk. oh, and if you have the time and money to do so properly, invest in a pet. Pets are HUGE stress reducers! If you can't afford to get your own ask your neighbor or friend if you can walk their dog! Cats are a little cheaper and less maintanence, but I think the rewards of having a dog are much greater!
  • boroko
    boroko Posts: 358 Member
    Getting outside in the fresh air. Having been cooped up inside during the miserable winter it's been harder to relax and deal with stress. Now that spring is finally here just going out for a walk in the sunshine feels fantastic and I'm trying to make it part of my regular routine not just an emergency pressure release when I feel I could explode!

    I also find gardening very therapeutic - a bit of weeding, digging or pruning is a great way to relax and focus on something different and even though my garden would not win any prizes seeing the results is very rewarding.

    When the weather is too foul to get outside I like to do Soduko puzzles. They don't take long to do but concentrating on solving the puzzle means I stop thinking about the things that have been stressing me and before I know it I'm feeling calmer no matter how crazy the day or how wild my sons have been.

    If you do want to cut down your drinking then be sure to measure and log each drink. Just seeing how many empty calories you are consuming might help you say no. There's not much point in being careful about what you eat if you blow all the hard work with drinks.
  • Krohnie
    Krohnie Posts: 286 Member
    If you do want to cut down your drinking then be sure to measure and log each drink. Just seeing how many empty calories you are consuming might help you say no. There's not much point in being careful about what you eat if you blow all the hard work with drinks.

    I think this will be huge. I don't drink anything with calories, except alcohol. I think a good actual wake up call of the number of calories wasted will be an eye opener. I cannot wait for all this snow to go away so that I can get outside... Thanks for the tips, I'm going to write them all down and hang them on the fridge. I might have to lock myself in my room, but I'll get it figured out!!
  • rjmudlax13
    rjmudlax13 Posts: 900 Member
    Exercise
    Sex (including with self)
    Breathing exercises
    Walk
    Therapy
    Journaling
    Talking to a good friend
    Hot Bath
    Hot Shower
    Massage
    Yelling about something (Try not to look too crazy though)
    Hit something (preferably not a person)
    Cry
    Laugh
    Let some anger out
  • boroko
    boroko Posts: 358 Member
    I might have to lock myself in my room, but I'll get it figured out!!

    Spoken like a true mother of boys :wink:

    It may seem hard but finding some time for yourself to think and relax will reduce your overall stress which will make all aspects of your life easier to manage. Try all the suggestions that appeal and just remember that you're worth it!

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