How to decompress

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alcohol.

I hope you know that's a terrible idea.
- spouse of an alcoholic who started out using alcohol to decompress

Seconded
-recovered alcoholic, almost a decade clear

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alcohol.

I hope you know that's a terrible idea.
- spouse of an alcoholic who started out using alcohol to decompress

Some people have the genetics to become addicts. Some do not.

This is a really dangerous thing to think, and an even more dangerous thing to say. Alcohol is an addictive substance. While some may be genetically predisposed to addiction, anyone can become an addict.

Using substances to decompress, as an occasional thing, might be an okay strategy for some, for a while. It is rarely a sound go-to strategy for anyone.

Please be aware, and stay safe out there. Kicking an addiction is the opposite of decompressing.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Alcohol.

Or gummies.

Also an addictive substance, and, IME, the withdrawal takes longer and sucks harder (especially since a lot of people don't even understand that's what it even is).

Nothing says "polar opposite of decompressing" like blowing out your dopamine receptors and then feeling depressed as hell while they learn how to fire up again. The anhedonia was almost unbearable. Literally nothing was pleasant, and most of what I'd previously liked (e.g. music) wasn't even tolerable. Took about 8 months just to get past that phase.

0 stars. Do not recommend.

[Anonymous]

I'm really looking forward to spring so I can be out in my garden. Pulling weeds and micromanaging the borders is mindless enough, it's outdoors in the sun and the breeze, and when you're finished, it looks so nice.

I just wish I had more than my tiny city-house garden. I've seriously considered asking if any of my neighbors want me to start messing with theirs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm really looking forward to spring so I can be out in my garden. Pulling weeds and micromanaging the borders is mindless enough, it's outdoors in the sun and the breeze, and when you're finished, it looks so nice.

I just wish I had more than my tiny city-house garden. I've seriously considered asking if any of my neighbors want me to start messing with theirs.

Just add tons and tons of potted items. You have different heights and more options, including vegetables and herbs.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:I'm reading more and way less screens at night. Still suck at meditating.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Crafts, joking with my sister, spray painting a random Tesla, hot baths and shopping.

We should have a club. There's a truck in my neighborhood.

[Anonymous]

Living in a beach town and not in DC. We didn't move here to get away from DC politics, but it's a more lifestyle place to live. And we really are able to tune out the politics here. I hear my friends' stories in DC, and it's sounds like hell.

Stopped listening to NPR in the car and now listen the Sirius Comedy Channel 95. Three minute sound bites of the funniest parts of comedy acts. I'm not a huge standup comedy person, but man, the short bursts really make the time go fast.

[Anonymous]

Reading fluff books

Walking with a friend

Playing with my kids

S*x

[Anonymous]

Salsa dancing.

[Anonymous]

Try to watch/listen to/read the news as minimal as possible.

At least for the next four years!
Just kidding.

Well….sort of.
The news 📰 is affecting my mental health as well.
I feel like all the progress that has been made is now slowly rolling back in time - waaay back in time due to the collective backward attitude(s) of our current administration. 🤬

Since I cannot do anything about what is going on > I am choosing to disengage w/current events, those that are political mostly + focus my attention on feel good, real people stories.

Along w/patiently reminding myself that this is not forever.

[Anonymous]

Hiking with my kids. This is what saved me during the pandemic and we had sort of gotten out of the habit and now it’s my go to especially as a fed. Need the mental space to get away from all of this and the trails offer that. Other than hiking, just daily exercise, getting out with the dog, and finding good shows to watch. I wish I could say shopping but with the job uncertainty, am holding back.