Skip to main content

14 Ways to Relax Without Alcohol or Food


For many of us, the days of going to the bar to unwind after a stressful day at work are long gone. But it's still important to find ways to unwind and chillax after a stressful or, heck, even after any day. Getting into a new, healthy routine can be challenging, but here are some simple ways to destress without consuming alcohol or taking in extra unwanted calories from eating the stress away. Let's face it, we can substitute food for our addiction all too easily.

 When we substitute food for our addictions, we are just reiterating that consumption is the only way to relax. 

You can’t remove stress from daily life, but you can learn to deal with it without creating more troubles. Start with these ideas for relaxing without alcohol or food.

 

Calorie-Free Ways to Relax on Your Own:

 

1.     Breathe deeply. Pause and take a few calming breaths. Inhale from down in your diaphragm instead of up in your chest. Lengthen your exhalations to match your inhalations. Focus on the air as it moves in and out of your nostrils.

2.     Meditate and pray. Sit down for a few moments and connect with yourself and the divine. Observe your thoughts without judging them. Give thanks for your blessings.

3.     Engage in visualization. Close your eyes and imagine something that makes you feel happy and inspired. Picture yourself surrounded by family and friends or excelling at a task that you find fulfilling.

4.     Draw a bath. Fill your tub with warm water and enjoy a luxurious soak. Buy fragrant bath salts or make your own. Set out fluffy towels, candles, and other accessories of your choice.

5.     Stretch your body. Make it a habit to stand up about every half hour when you’re working at your desk. Place your hands on your lower spine for support, and do a slight backbend. Rise up tall, and reach your hands down to the floor, bending your knees if necessary.

6.     Take a walk. Stroll around the block or hike the trails at your local park. Pick a quiet time of day and explore new routes.

7.     Appreciate nature. Scientific studies prove that nature has the power to soothe us. Head outdoors or watch videos about sandy beaches and ancient forests.

8.     Learn progressive relaxation. Experiment with progressive muscle relaxation. Start with your hands, squeezing each muscle group as you breathe in and releasing as you breathe out. Continue across the rest of your body.



 Sometimes bonding with others can help relaxation as well. There were times that I ate or drank with others just to socialize, or at least that's how it started off. But again, we can train ourselves to get the same benefits in healthier ways.

Calorie-Free Ways to Relax with Others:

 

1.     Practice yoga. Yoga cultivates community as well as stress relief and physical fitness. Bring a friend with you to your next class. Invite others to join you for breakfast afterward.

2.     Play sports. As long as you avoid extreme competition, sports can be relaxing. Schedule a game of tennis or darts.

3.     Go dancing. Take listening to music a step further by getting out on the dance floor. Sign up for rumba lessons or spend your next date night at a club with a live band.

4.     Pet your dog. Remember your animal companions too. Studies show that talking to them actually tends to be less stressful than interacting with humans because we don’t worry about being judged.

5.     Talk it over. On the other hand, your fellow humans are probably going to have more insights into how to deal with your love life or conflicts at work. Call a friend when you need to vent or discover a different perspective on whatever is on your mind.

6.     Laugh it up. Humor makes our struggles easier to bear. Spend time with others who encourage you to see the funny aspects of parenthood or practicing law.

 

Whether you’re on your own or surrounded by friends, you can banish stress safely and effectively. Learning to relax without alcohol or food will help you destress without putting on extra pounds!

 Learning new habits such as the ones above, although sounds simple, can be very challenging. You don't have to do it alone. Recovery Enthusiast can help guide and coach you into a new way of life that is absolutely extraordinary. A Life you won't want to numb from. Book a FREE strategy call today and start living an amazing life today!!


Until next time stay blessed, 

Recovery Enthusiast ✌

Labels

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

Celebrate Summer Mindfully

  6 Mindful Ways to Celebrate Summer If you are looking to create or experience rituals for summer solstice, there are several ways you can start celebrating this time of year. Consider the following six practices you can make a daily/weekly routine this summer. 1. Meditate with the Rising Sun Begin your day early, seated in the direction of the rising sun. Close your eyes and feel the expanding light against your skin and closed eyes. Cultivate gratitude for the sun and close your practice by reflecting on the gifts it brings. 2. Intention Setting Another practice is to set intentions – either for the day or for the year ahead. Many see the summer as a time ripe for new beginnings, so this could be a prime time to get clear on what you’d like to focus on in the year ahead. Write down your intentions in a journal. 3. Gratitude Journaling Another written practice to consider is gratitude journaling. Reflect on what this time of year means to you. What gifts does it bri...
Post a Comment
Read more

How to Streamline Your Daily Schedule and Increase Efficiency

 Do you usually feel like there are not enough hours in the day to accomplish everything you need to do? Sometimes it seems like the laundry or the dishes will just have to wait until later. I know for me, when I let things accumulate, I get overwhelmed, and then I either don't do anything at all, or I look for a distraction, usually food or shopping. The thing still doesn't get done, and it's a perpetual cycle.    That's why   as hard as it is, we must do things when we need to. Otherwise, they don't get done at all. Or we find ourselves having to do them when we truly don’t have the time for them. Then, inevitably, something else has to be put off.   This scenario also applies to work. When a project has a deadline, it’s important to devote all of your undivided attention to it, or it won't get completed. Time management is a critical aspect of every job – from planning to executing.   Your schedule needs to be structured to support efficienc...
Post a Comment
Read more

Techniques to Help You Get Out of That Emotional Slump

  Do you ever feel a little blue for no apparent reason? Are you feeling down, maybe lower than you've been? Or perhaps just a general melancholy? As medication can help (that's between you and your doctor), it is never a cure-all. Here are some ways you can elevate your mood. Try to keep an open mind; many of these skills take a little practice. Implement these seven amazing steps:   Journaling. Journaling might sound more like work than self-care, but keeping a journal is important for recovering from a slump. Think of it as a companion that allows you to let your feelings out without judgment.   ●       Writing your thoughts in a journal helps you work through what you are going through emotionally. Come to terms with your current state, make adjustments, and figure out your next step.   ●       Don't hold back from writing because your feelings are everywhere. Even if you are not ...
Post a Comment
Read more