I used to work with a guy whose job description appeared to be "Run about telling everyone how busy you are but get nothing done".
He was STRESSED. and he DRANK a lot!
As for me, I tended to think about how, when, what, where, why until I drove myself nuts.
I was STRESSED and I drank a lot!
Here's a quick look at three of the most common reasons people stay in states of stress and anxiety, convinced that a drink is required, deserved, and the only thing they can do to get a moments peace.
The Overworker: The Pursuit of Productivity & The Glorification of busy-ness
The over-worker needs to achieve more and accomplish tasks at any cost. Their nervous system is consistently in a fight/flight state. This feels 'normal', and therefore they believe in their bones that this state is necessary to get sh*t done.
They will rest when they are successful, but will that day ever come? Is enough ever enough?
The overworker drinks to relieve stress and wind down.
The Overthinker: The Prison of Analysis
These folk (and I can count myself in this camp) find themselves endlessly analysing past events or worrying about the future? Excuses such as "I need to figure everything out perfectly" or "I don't want to make a mistake" keep us trapped in a cycle of indecision and anxiety.
Deep down we want to control the uncontrollable. And if that's not stressful I don't know what is.
The overthinker drinks to quieten their busy mind.
The Overgiver: The Sacrifice of Self
Overgiving can easily become a way of life and even a badge of honour. Those who always put other's needs above their own often fear rejection. They don't want to let people down. And they've never really taken the time to figure out their own needs. This can build into resentment and feeling disconnected from themselves.
The overgiver drinks to relieve pressure and anxiety.
If you are honest and relate to any of the above, then you're ahead of most people who are living in a trance.
Awareness is your SUPERPOWER.
ACTION comes next. To reduce your need and desire to drink you MUST address the reasons why you're drinking and DO SOMETHING DIFFERENT.
Here are some very simple tips you can add into your day.
Overworking? TRY THIS
Set an alarm for every 90 minutes. STOP. Change your position, move, look around you, exercise your eyeballs, stretch your muscles. Breathe. This simple act at regular intervals during the day will reduce the build-up of stress in the body. Less stress = less desire to drink.
Overthinking - TRY THIS
Every time you NOTICE you are caught in thinking STOP. Take a deep breath and say to yourself 'Hello, thinking mind'. Then thank your mind for trying to help you, ask it to take a lunch break, and tell it you'll be back to listen later. This simple act will break your pattern of getting caught in thought and brings you into the present moment.
You'll be living your life, not living in your head = less noise = less desire to drink.
Overgiving? TRY THIS
Say NO to one tiny thing that you would normally do reluctantly. That's it. See how it feels. See how you tolerate it. And most importantly REWARD yourself for not doing the thing. Say no more often = more time and self-respect = less stress = less desire to drink.
Until next time, remember to be kind to yourself and honest with yourself,
Sarah
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