What do you do to help relax?

[thesizzler]

Just curious as to what everyone does when they cut the bottle out and find them selves at the end of the day with nothing to do.

Every body has a way they each relax.

What is yours?

Today will be the first day with out alcohol in a very long time since I am starting back at work Saturday morning and I have to be up at 5:30am. It sounds easy now but i have a feeling its harder then I think. If i find a way to get in that very tired relaxed mood I think i can do it without thinking about wine or beer. I have a 6 pack in the fridge. I'm going to give to my neighbor since I cannot have booze in my place and not drink it.

I was thinking spending some time at the gym then some time out side on my bike if its nice out. I think getting some real good exercise to help tire me out will be beneficial. Then in the evening hitting up a warm bath and just relax followed with a movie on the couch and hope for the best.

Any movie suggestions?

I'm going to do a search on products that can help reduce the cravings. I think one that was mention was glutamin.

Well, here i go !
Have a good day and weekend everyone !

- Chris,

[work in progress]

What do you do to help relax?

I usually try to stay out of the house until about 2 hours before bedtime. We have alcohol in the house for my husband and company. It's in the dining room and I make it a point not to go in there at all. I have recently started to take a supplement with l-theanine (suntheanine is another name for it). It seems to relax me somewhat, especially if you drink some green tea with it (green tea has l-theanine in it). It is sold at Whole Foods, but Amazon.com also has several varieties of it. Also, I have various relaxation/meditation tunes on my i-pod that I can listen to.

Sometimes though, I need just the opposite of relaxing. I need to do something very engrossing to keep my mind off drinking and on what I am doing. (housework, yardwork, watching funny dvd's.... anything that occupies my mind) Sometimes it seems like nothing helps and I wind up giving in. I know exactly how you feel... I have that same feeling between 5:30 and 10pm, every day.

[dora]

What do you do to help relax?

I would always eat at the first sign of hunger, maybe a special meal. This would help reduce the cravings. During the first few weeks I would then have a warm bath, get ready for bed and watch tv. It was definately a routine which helped me!

Dora

[savon19]

What do you do to help relax?

Exercise - biking if nice, like you say... and nice bath before bed while playing soothing music (classical?)... all sound like good ways to relax.

I also agree with the food suggestion. I've discovered my craves are Often about just being hungry! (DUH)

I think watching reruns of your favorite old sitcoms can be mind-relaxing. Seinfeld, King of Queens -- anything Inane!!

Obviously, you can't do that for Too long (unless you want your brain to turn to blubber).

What kind of movies do you like?

[tawnywitch]

What do you do to help relax?

it is just routine isn't it? i used to have to go to bed really early cos my youngest son wouldn't sleep without me and it was easy to take a glass of wine up with me , helped me to unwind, he was a very full on baby, the habit stuck he still sleep's in my room, and the glass has now become a pint glass, so I only have 1 glass a night, just it's a pint!! this is going to be my 2nd AF night, I hope, the glass will have milk in it and a couple of sweet biscuit's as a treat, let you know tomorrow how it goes, goodnight evryone . stay strong, love to you all.

[thesizzler]

What do you do to help relax?

Hey , Thanks for all the responses.

work in progress

I agree with you when you say you stay out of the house and come back in 2 hours before bed. That might be one of my tactics. I'll see how tonight goes. If i get a craving I'll hit the road for a bit or a bite to eat.

dora

I must eat ! That's the plan... I'm back on my diet starting tomorrow when i return to work. I find i drink when i get hungry and then I don't eat. I think its time i flipped it around to eating instead of drinking when I get hungry. So basically ! Eat eat eat ! I like that idea

savon19

Exercise has been a part of my life for 13 years now. I noticed i started to fall out of practice when i started drinking all the time. Weight went up , lost muscle and became just a regular Joe with a little belly. It's not a good feeling.. I'm heading out to the gym now to de fatten

As for movies, i like them all really. A good comedy is probably my favorite. Problem is, I have been off work with my arm injury for a long time now and have seen so many movies. I think I have just about seen them all. I'm thinking "Step Brothers" with Will Farrel. That movie was hilarious.

[one2many]

What do you do to help relax?

I think I posted this before..but just a reminder....


150 THINGS TO DO INSTEAD OF DRINKING...


1. Read a book
2. Take a walk
3. Play a musical instrument
4. Knit
5. Clean your closets
6. Research your genealogy
7. Cook a gourmet dinner
8. Write an article for your local newspaper
9. Go take some pictures
10. Clean the mildew in your bathroom
11. Start writing that book you've been planning
12. Plan a garden
13. Plant a garden
14. Play with a pet
15. Read to a child
16. Visit someone in an old folks' home
17. Watch a news special on TV
18. Set up a family budget
19. Make a web site
20. Take up archery
21. Exercise
22. Go to an online recovery meeting
23. Surf the internet
24. Call your mom
25. Learn a foreign language
26. Write a poem
27. Play golf
28. Take a bubble bath
29. Draw
30. Teach a parakeet to whistle
31. Take a nap
32. Listen to music
33. Paint
34. Clean your desk
35. Start a stamp collection
36. Go window shopping
37. Browse in a book store
38. Go to an art gallery
39. Go for a drive
40. Paint a room
41. Watch the clouds go by
42. Play darts
43. Do target shooting
44. Do home repairs
45. Clean your garage
46. Sort your photographs
47. Make a scrapbook
48. Climb a tree
49. Plant a tree
50. Make marmalade
51. Make a list of things to do
52. Write a letter to the editor
53. Volunteer somewhere
54. Take a hike
55. Take a college class
56. Try yoga
57. Meditate
58. Get a massage
59. Make fruit smoothies
60. Bake cookies
61. Do a crossword puzzle
62. Go to the gym
63. Plant a color bowl
64. Sharpen your pruning tools
65. Change your engine oil
66. Sew
67. Groom your dog
68. Go see a play
69. Write a sonnet
70. Sort your recipes
71. Play solitaire
72. Go bird watching
73. Write a letter to a friend
74. Read a poetry book
75. Repot your houseplants
76. Go to a movie
77. Mow your lawn
78. Put up (or take down) your Christmas lights
79. Make pickles
80. Go jogging
81. Watch sitcoms
82. Plan menus for a diet
83. Do a jigsaw puzzle
84. Play chess
85. Write a country-western song
86. Watch a video
87. Go for a bike ride
88. Plant an herb garden
89. Start an online journal
90. Dye your hair
91. Go to a restaurant
92. Lift weights
93. Bake some bread
94. Learn a martial art
95. Polish the furniture
96. Make a flower arrangement
97. Read the newspaper
98. Start some seeds
99. Sort your magazines
100. Do some laundry.
111. Take a nature walk
112. Play with your kids
113. Volunteer at a homeless shelter
114. Volunteer at a school
115. Pick up garbage in a park
116. Tickle your kids
117. Play basketball
118. Volunteer at an animal shelter
119. Read to a child or pet
120. Sign up for obedience training with your dog
121. Take a walk and pick up litter you see on the way
122. Spend time at the library
123. Sort all your digital photos and make an album to print for holiday gifts to family.
124. Help your kid organize his closet.
125. Figure out the melody and chords to your current favorite tune on the piano.
126. Practice your holiday cookie recipes
127. Make crackers from scratch (that one didn't go so well).
128. Make tortillas from scratch (better).
129. Reread a book you haven't read for years.
130. Tango
131. Learn about someone else’s religion.
132. Reread one of your college textbooks.
133. Key out a wildflower.
134. Do your nails.
135. Do word puzzles.
136. Play a board game.
137. Burn CD’s of some of your favorite music for a friend.
138. Plant a bonsai.
139. Play Mad Libs.
140. Speak only in heroic couplets for an hour.
141. Read poetry online.
142. Ride a stationary bicycle.
143. Set up a domino topple.
144. Play backgammon.
145. Build a house of cards
146. Make an entry in Wikipedia.
147. Read a world almanac.
148. Publish a family newsletter.
149. Throw cards at a hat.
150. Go to bed.

[thesizzler]

What do you do to help relax?

one2many;717607 wrote: I think I posted this before..but just a reminder....


150 THINGS TO DO INSTEAD OF DRINKING...


1. Read a book
2. Take a walk
3. Play a musical instrument
4. Knit
5. Clean your closets
6. Research your genealogy
7. Cook a gourmet dinner
8. Write an article for your local newspaper
9. Go take some pictures
10. Clean the mildew in your bathroom
11. Start writing that book you've been planning
12. Plan a garden
13. Plant a garden
14. Play with a pet
15. Read to a child
16. Visit someone in an old folks' home
17. Watch a news special on TV
18. Set up a family budget
19. Make a web site
20. Take up archery
21. Exercise
22. Go to an online recovery meeting
23. Surf the internet
24. Call your mom
25. Learn a foreign language
26. Write a poem
27. Play golf
28. Take a bubble bath
29. Draw
30. Teach a parakeet to whistle
31. Take a nap
32. Listen to music
33. Paint
34. Clean your desk
35. Start a stamp collection
36. Go window shopping
37. Browse in a book store
38. Go to an art gallery
39. Go for a drive
40. Paint a room
41. Watch the clouds go by
42. Play darts
43. Do target shooting
44. Do home repairs
45. Clean your garage
46. Sort your photographs
47. Make a scrapbook
48. Climb a tree
49. Plant a tree
50. Make marmalade
51. Make a list of things to do
52. Write a letter to the editor
53. Volunteer somewhere
54. Take a hike
55. Take a college class
56. Try yoga
57. Meditate
58. Get a massage
59. Make fruit smoothies
60. Bake cookies
61. Do a crossword puzzle
62. Go to the gym
63. Plant a color bowl
64. Sharpen your pruning tools
65. Change your engine oil
66. Sew
67. Groom your dog
68. Go see a play
69. Write a sonnet
70. Sort your recipes
71. Play solitaire
72. Go bird watching
73. Write a letter to a friend
74. Read a poetry book
75. Repot your houseplants
76. Go to a movie
77. Mow your lawn
78. Put up (or take down) your Christmas lights
79. Make pickles
80. Go jogging
81. Watch sitcoms
82. Plan menus for a diet
83. Do a jigsaw puzzle
84. Play chess
85. Write a country-western song
86. Watch a video
87. Go for a bike ride
88. Plant an herb garden
89. Start an online journal
90. Dye your hair
91. Go to a restaurant
92. Lift weights
93. Bake some bread
94. Learn a martial art
95. Polish the furniture
96. Make a flower arrangement
97. Read the newspaper
98. Start some seeds
99. Sort your magazines
100. Do some laundry.
111. Take a nature walk
112. Play with your kids
113. Volunteer at a homeless shelter
114. Volunteer at a school
115. Pick up garbage in a park
116. Tickle your kids
117. Play basketball
118. Volunteer at an animal shelter
119. Read to a child or pet
120. Sign up for obedience training with your dog
121. Take a walk and pick up litter you see on the way
122. Spend time at the library
123. Sort all your digital photos and make an album to print for holiday gifts to family.
124. Help your kid organize his closet.
125. Figure out the melody and chords to your current favorite tune on the piano.
126. Practice your holiday cookie recipes
127. Make crackers from scratch (that one didn't go so well).
128. Make tortillas from scratch (better).
129. Reread a book you haven't read for years.
130. Tango
131. Learn about someone else?s religion.
132. Reread one of your college textbooks.
133. Key out a wildflower.
134. Do your nails.
135. Do word puzzles.
136. Play a board game.
137. Burn CD?s of some of your favorite music for a friend.
138. Plant a bonsai.
139. Play Mad Libs.
140. Speak only in heroic couplets for an hour.
141. Read poetry online.
142. Ride a stationary bicycle.
143. Set up a domino topple.
144. Play backgammon.
145. Build a house of cards
146. Make an entry in Wikipedia.
147. Read a world almanac.
148. Publish a family newsletter.
149. Throw cards at a hat.
150. Go to bed.
HA ! This is perfect !!
THanks

[christyacc]

What do you do to help relax?

thesizzler;717584 wrote: Just curious as to what everyone does when they cut the bottle out and find them selves at the end of the day with nothing to do.

Every body has a way they each relax.

What is yours?

Today will be the first day with out alcohol in a very long time since I am starting back at work Saturday morning and I have to be up at 5:30am. It sounds easy now but i have a feeling its harder then I think. If i find a way to get in that very tired relaxed mood I think i can do it without thinking about wine or beer. I have a 6 pack in the fridge. I'm going to give to my neighbor since I cannot have booze in my place and not drink it.

I was thinking spending some time at the gym then some time out side on my bike if its nice out. I think getting some real good exercise to help tire me out will be beneficial. Then in the evening hitting up a warm bath and just relax followed with a movie on the couch and hope for the best.

Any movie suggestions?

I'm going to do a search on products that can help reduce the cravings. I think one that was mention was glutamin.

Well, here i go !
Have a good day and weekend everyone !

- Chris,

Hi Chris!!!!

I personally enjoy a good book.....that in a nice hot bath.

[Popeye]

What do you do to help relax?

christyacc;717869 wrote: Hi Chris!!!!

I personally enjoy a good book.....that in a nice hot bath.

Me too....
I too thought that I would be struggling to find things to do, but there is so much that occupies my time these days. I was substituting real life for alcohol and now that it's gone I enjoy doing whatever takes my fancy.
Currently I'm beginning a course of study that I put off for many years and I'm learning how to make walking sticks. I'm having a go at writing too. It may come to naught but it's good fun. I don't watch any broadcast television, instead I'll watch maybe three movies a week on DVD. My little house and garden are spick and span and I'm enjoying watching my little grandchildren grow up. I'm taking a week off work soon and heading into the mountains to get lost for a few days.
All this may seem a touch dull to many, but it's progress and I am in a position that allows me to do absolutely anything that I want.
It's brilliant

[TranqWilly]

What do you do to help relax?

Hi Sizz! Great to meet you here.

To so not answer your question, my honest answer is I don't relax. I have trouble with the whole relaxing thing too. I stay very busy until I'm exhausted and fall asleep just fine. Like others have said, eating is key. Usually it's a light snack after work then straight to the gym or out for a run. Then eat substantial and hit some golf balls or housework or something. Read a little. Hop on MWO. Sleep. Repeat.

I also try to work in a week's rest from the gym every six weeks or so just to keep from burning out.

You'll feel better back in a groove with work outs. Being away from the gym a bit lately, I've realized how important exercise is to feeling good and maintaining energy.

I love summer too so I spend almost all my weekend time outside morning 'til night - usually playing golf, beach, etc... Like Popeye said, it is fantastic when you realize that you have choices and can do anything you want, once you're not a slave to al anymore.

Regarding supplements, the MWO book on the homepage has a great outline of supps for cravings. Most people recommend Kudzu and L-glutamine, but RJ recommends a whole slew of stuff. All of which I used when I went AF initially.

Good luck and take care.
tw

[greeneyes]

What do you do to help relax?

This may seem a bit off the wall , but sometimes when stuff just is too big, you can get a towel and go into a closet and crouch down with said towel stuffed in your mouth and do a really good long hearfelt primal scream. I'm really serious. If it's a good one you might need to gargle with warm salt water after.

[Lavande]

What do you do to help relax?

Chris,

Try the Hypno CDs.
They are very relaxing, no kidding

[greeneyes]

What do you do to help relax?

Ahem... sorry. I had a trying day. There are lots of on-line things for relaxation. Guided meditations and the like. Music to soothe the soul.. Dr. Andrew Wiel has some helaing music that may be on his website. The hypno CDs Lavande refers to are deffinately relaxing.

[universal]

What do you do to help relax?

LMAO Greeny!

I like a hot bath with a cup of tea and a nice book - just tranquil - love it!