I do go days without alcohol and have gone weeks before without, but this past year was a bit stressful and we were both drinking more than we should. We've found something that works for us though. I tend to drink a good bit of water before going to bed (and through the night I keep water by my bed for occasional sips if I wake up) so rarely do I have a hangover.
New food processor works great and is about 1/3 the noise of the banshee Black n Decker. I bet cousin A who I gave it to is probably going to order himself another and give mine to the charity shop. Or chuck it in the trash!
Yes, you’ve certainly had a year of it!
I drink alcohol when I’m stressed and recently things have been very stressful which on top of nearly every family and friends birthday celebrations being in August and September means it’s been a very boozy time.
I’m looking forward to a good long dry spell now. I might even try one of those gross looking kale smoothies
Thing is I find in the UK at least they never stop preaching at you about how bad alcohol is and how much it costs the NHS. There’s a real guilt surrounding drinking alcohol and real shame attached to drinking too much.
Obviously nursing means I’ve seen the very ugly side of alcohol and that it can ruin peoples lives BUT no-one ever gives the balancing side of the argument.
Millions of people manage their alcohol intake perfectly well.
People who socialise through drinking have much better support networks which in turn leads to better mental health.
They never mention that alcohol does relieve stress, kills pain and is an excellent relaxant.
Yes it loosens inhibitions but even that can have its benefits. One of my friends only seems to be able to speak honestly after a couple of glasses and all stuff that tumbles out of her mouth is definitely better out than in!
When I’m in stressful times as I have been lately as the alcohol hits my body I can literally feel the stress drain away from me. Yes the problems will still be there tomorrow but the temporary relief for me is like a reset balm. I don’t feel anywhere near as stressed the next day either. It might not have solved the problem but it has allowed me to manage the stress that goes with the problem.
Of course that can make it a dangerous crutch but most of us know it’s not good to use it for stress relief every day and moderate our behaviour accordingly.
Realistic guidance about what to look for if you were crossing the alcoholic line would be far more beneficial than the current strategy to demonise it and the people who enjoy it.
At the moment we have pointless things directed at us like ‘Drink responsibly’ or ‘There’s no safe limit’
It reminds me of the old fashioned attitude to sex education where abstinence was the answer to everything.
When my mum was looking after her husband who had motor neurone disease it was extremely hard work and very stressful. That tipple at the end of the day and sometimes during it was the only thing that got her through it.
