Checking In: Notice Anything Different? After a week without drinking, you may start to notice some changes in your body, brain, and emotional mindset. These changes might even have something of a snowball effect. For example: - You sleep better (and don't wake up with a hangover or headache).
- That good sleep boosts your energy and improves your productivity during the day.
- Increased productivity earns you praise at work, which leads to a sense of self-satisfaction.
- Your positive mood improves interactions with family and loved ones, helping you feel more fulfilled by your relationships.
- When stress comes knocking, you feel better able to navigate those challenges without turning to alcohol to find some calm.
Of course, the path may not be entirely strewn with roses. If you've used alcohol to cope with stress or numb difficult emotions for a long time, you might notice those unwanted feelings bubbling right back up. That's not necessarily a bad thing, though. Those feelings might feel unpleasant, but they can still shed some light on your reasons for using alcohol. The key lies in turning toward them, not away, so you can hear what they have to say. It takes time to feel comfortable sitting with difficult emotions. But avoiding or ignoring them generally just makes them stronger, so learning to sit with them can pay off in the end. These tips can help: - Keep a journal. Writing down what you're feeling can often help ease some of its impact, leaving you with a lighter load to carry.
- Talk about it. Sharing your feelings with loved ones can help you get the emotional support you need and remind you that you're not alone in the struggle.
- Try some meditation. A regular meditation practice can boost mindfulness and strengthen your ability to handle difficult feelings as they come up.
- Occupy yourself. We don't mean bury yourself in activities to deny your feelings. Instead, when unwanted emotions become overwhelming, try a positive distraction until you feel ready to delve into them.
In the week ahead, remember to be kind to yourself. You're doing some hard work here! We'll check back next week to see how it's going. Until next week,
The Healthline Team | 
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