Sound familiar? A few years ago, I would never have believed anyone who’d told me that I’d be consistently calmer and level headed if I stopped drinking alcohol for good. But, four years after my last drink and I never crave booze anymore in order to cope with a bad day. If you’ve recently quit drinking alcohol and are looking for a few pointers on reducing stress levels, read on. These might just help…
Be grateful
Try writing a list every night of all that you are grateful for in your life. We often get caught up with materialistic desires and forget about the true worth of what we already have: friends, family and our health, for example.
Avoid caffeine
caffeine is a stimulant that raises the level of stress hormones in the body. Opt for decaffeinated versions of tea or coffee, or stick to herbal teas and/or water.
Eat small and often
maintaining steady blood sugar levels can REALLY help to achieve a balanced mood. Try snacking on hummus or a handful of almonds.
Practise mindfulness
instead of giving into the chattering monkey mind that plagues so many of us, mindfulness allows us to live in the present. It won’t prevent negative situations from arising but it will allow you to respond in a calmer manner.
Learn to breathe
meditation is a great way to learn how to breathe correctly. Try a couple of beginner’s sessions at your local Buddhist centre to get started.
Talk it over
sharing concerns with a trusted friend or family member works wonders for beating stress. The listener may provide us with a sense of perspective, put forward potential solutions and/or offer help for whatever is causing the stress.
Get active
Exercise is a FANTASTIC way to beat stress. If you’ve never been particularly active before then try something gentle to begin with.
Learn to be kind (to yourself)
women are especially good at neglecting their own needs while rushing round seeing to everyone else’s. When we pile on the stress and refuse to take a break it’s guaranteed to increase stress levels. Make some time for ‘Me Time’.
Ask for help
Don’t be scared to ask for help – if stress continues to be a factor in your life then a professional counsellor could be the solution.
Editors Note
Some people may continue to experience cravings depending on their drinking history. You might find our crave surfing, managing your alcohol cravings course helpful, if you have this problem.
