What do you use as a reward other than alcohol?

[Anonymous]

So many things...a massage, yoga, meditation, matcha latte, sauna, red light therapy, reformer pilates class, a castor oil face pack, pranayama.

[Anonymous]

A new virbrator

[Anonymous]

My vices in “old age” are coffee in the morning while doing my NYT games, and popcorn in the evening while binging some good tv.

Sure, exercise, friends, and hobbies are great —but I really look forward to these two things to bookend most days. I have given up so many other things that other people still get to enjoy, so I’m keeping these.

[Anonymous]

A thirty-second hug with my spouse. When you’re starting, it feels awkward at the 5-10 second mark (when “normal” hugs end). Just keep going. Releases all the tension!

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trying to quit or cut down on drinking due to all the usual middle aged reasons. After a long, stressful workday, I really want a drink. What do others use as a reward/destresser/transition from the workday?

I have heard going for a walk, but that does not cut it for me!

You should first look at what your body is expecting when it has a drink. Does it like the physical act of drinking? Then you can swap the drink with any drink and it will feel the same. Does it like the specific effect alcohol has for you? Then you should pick something that has a similar effect -- like maybe a relaxing bath?

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trying to quit or cut down on drinking due to all the usual middle aged reasons. After a long, stressful workday, I really want a drink. What do others use as a reward/destresser/transition from the workday?

I have heard going for a walk, but that does not cut it for me!

You should first look at what your body is expecting when it has a drink. Does it like the physical act of drinking? Then you can swap the drink with any drink and it will feel the same. Does it like the specific effect alcohol has for you? Then you should pick something that has a similar effect -- like maybe a relaxing bath?

I remember I used to love going to the vending machine at work and getting a soda every day around 3 pm. But then my dentist told me to quit drinking soda. So I switched it with taking a water bottle to the water purifier that was next to the vending machine. The drink didn't matter so much as the whole act of getting up and going to get a drink.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Sounds weird but the “bite” of lemon ginger tea kinda resonates like wine. Good luck op and ignore the haters. F

This is true. Also jalapeno. You can find spicy margarita mixes (no/lo cal) and mix with lime sparkling water. The bite is great. Thank you for the PPs on the phony negroni. I'm going to hunt it down.

Another telling you to ignore the haters. What a bunch of bitters.

[Anonymous]

Diet Coke.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Stop thinking you need a reward for a day

This… I never have turned to alcohol as a reward. Though I do think it comes out in other ways, like impulse shopping.

[Anonymous]

Dark chocolate, hot tea, a good TV show or book, an occasional massage

[Anonymous]

I don't drink alcohol, but when trying to wean myself of various things, like sugar, or trying to stave off a panic attack, I've found that watching movies/TV series was the best distraction. I log on to Netflix or Amazon Prime and munch on popcorn or something.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:Trying to quit or cut down on drinking due to all the usual middle aged reasons. After a long, stressful workday, I really want a drink. What do others use as a reward/destresser/transition from the workday?

I have heard going for a walk, but that does not cut it for me!

I never ever have used alcohol as a reward. Maybe a chocolate bar here or there for a reward myth. For me a reward these days is going to bed early, pilates class, a new night down, meeting a friend for lunch, talking w a friend, watching a show.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:Trying to quit or cut down on drinking due to all the usual middle aged reasons. After a long, stressful workday, I really want a drink. What do others use as a reward/destresser/transition from the workday?

I have heard going for a walk, but that does not cut it for me!

*nightgown
I never ever have used alcohol as a reward. Maybe a chocolate bar here or there for a reward myth. For me a reward these days is going to bed early, pilates class, a new night down, meeting a friend for lunch, talking w a friend, watching a show.

[Anonymous]

Yoga works better than a walk for me, but I get why this doesn't sound like a "reward" for some.

I sometimes have a ritual after a very hard day where I fix myself a small snack (very good quality cheese and crackers, nice olives, chips and homemade salsa) and a mocktail (sparkling water with some kind of not-too-sweet juice) and then go to a room by myself and listen to a silly podcast or watch TV that only I like. This requires DH to handle parenting on his own so it's not an everyday thing, but it's what I do if, for instance, I spent the morning chaperoning a field trip and then got to work and had to put out multiple fires. Like it's for those days where you just don't want to think or interact anymore.

A more social, less exhausted version of this would be to put together a little cheese board with my kids and husband and have it with them while talking about our days. Again, festive drink that isn't alcohol.

Good quality dark chocolate can be a nice indulgence.

And finally, as I get older I have started to view going to bed early as a special treat. I mentioned yoga earlier -- sometimes I'll take a shower, do a short 10-15 yoga routine, drink a big glass of water, and then go to bed at like 9:30. This might not sound like a treat but I can't tell you how relaxing it is and how good it feels.

[Anonymous]

Exercise and a sleep score over 85 does the trick for me.