You’ve had a rough week — or even a rough day. That glass of wine is calling to you, and, sure, it’ll help you unwind. But it’s not your only option when you need to relax.
Whether you setting aside the booze for Dry January or Sober October, or you just want alcohol off the menu for your own personal reasons, you can definitely find ways to chill without that wine, beer or cocktail. Take a look at five tips for relaxing without alcohol.
1. Plan Ahead
If you know you’re walking into a situation where you’re used to drinking, whether it’s Friday night out with friends or arriving home late and exhausted from work, establish a plan ahead of time. Decide in advance what you’ll eat and drink, and practice your responses for when friends urge you to have just one glass of wine.
2. Choose Another Drink
Are you looking for a little pep to add to the fun of a weekend brunch? Replace the mimosa with your favorite coffee drink. Premium sodas give you a taste treat that lets you know with every sip that you’re imbibing something special. If you’re being pressured by friends to join them in a drink, ask the bartender to serve you a virgin cocktail so no one hassles you about not drinking.
3. Get Creative
Are you someone who pours a drink when you’re bored? Maybe you just want to have something in your hands while you’re watching TV. Switch your attention instead to doing something creative. You can knit, embroider, fold origami, or have fun with an adult coloring book even while you’re unwinding on your sofa — or take it further by playing an instrument, painting a canvas, or cooking something new.
4. Give Yourself a Treat
That cold beer at the end of a long day can feel like a treat that you owe yourself. So replace it with something else that feels like a treat. Maybe it’s a pedicare or a massage, something that lets you know you’re special and encourages your whole body to relax.
5. Read a Book
Being constantly connected to the world via the internet can be a stressful thing. Unplugging can give you far more relaxation than nursing a drink while you scroll through your phone. Pick up a book, and dive into another world, and you may be surprised at how much you find yourself unwinding.
Sometimes that nightly drink to help you unwind becomes more than just a drink. If you sense that relaxing without alcohol would be difficult for you to attempt, or if friends have expressed concern about your drinking, maybe it’s time to get some help with the struggle. Contact us at Hickory Treatment Centers to see how we can help you get back on track.
