mental health Archives - Sober Thinking

5th October 202122nd February 2023

Am I Drinking Too Much?

If you have to ask yourself “Am I drinking too much” then the answer is probably yes.

I imagine you already feel that your drinking is getting to an unhealthy level and starting to negatively impact parts of your life. If you weren’t concerned about it, would you even be asking yourself this question?

This does not mean you’re an alcoholic or even alcohol dependant. Although it does mean you need to take a look at your drinking, because it’s not making you feel great, right?

Now, what’s too much for one person is not necessarily too much for another. It all comes down to the way your drinking makes you feel.

10th March 202122nd February 2023

HALT for your Mental Health

HALT – Are you Hungry, Angry, Lonely or Tired? If the answer is yes to one or more of these, then your basic needs are being met and you may tend to react emotionally or impulsively to a situation.

HALT is an acronym you can use to help you stop and check in with yourself before you react to a situation or give in to a craving.

13th November 202029th June 2022

Alcohol Awareness Week 2020

Alcohol Awareness Week 2020 will take place from 16 – 22 November 2020 on the theme of Alcohol and Mental Health. It is a week of awareness-raising, campaigning for change and more.

Alcohol is the most widely available drug in the UK and it is used by many as a coping mechanism to manage their stress, anxiety, depression and other mental health problems.

You may relate to this. A lot of people self-medicate with alcohol to get through life’s difficult situations.

29th September 202028th June 2022

Loneliness in Sobriety

It’s not uncommon to feel lonely during early sobriety or even years into sobriety. It was certainly the case with me. Loneliness is a negative emotion and can feel very isolating at times but remember there is a difference between being alone and loneliness.

I feel there are two main situations that can cause me to feel lonely.

Not talking to, or seeing friends and family very often or in a long while.
Being surrounded by people at a party or gathering, but I don’t feel I can relate to anyone there or I don’t feel understood, cared for, or heard.

I believe both these scenarios can cause loneliness in sobriety as there is a lack of connection.

In early sobriety it is not uncommon to feel lonely. Think about it, you lose some drinking buddies, you don’t go to parties that may jeopardise your fragile early sobriety. You may have lost friends due to your previous drinking antics. You may not have anyone to confide in who understands your decision to quit drinking or you may be hold up at home getting your bearings, trying to figure out this whole sobriety thing. Whatever your reason for feeling lonely, I think this article can help.

13th August 202028th June 2022

Staying Sober While Stuck at Home

Due to the Coronavirus outbreak, we are spending more time stuck at home than ever before and I want to share with you my top tips for staying sober while stuck at home.

A lot of us view exercise, recovery meetings and visiting places with friends and family as an important part of our mental health and sobriety. So being asked to stay at home and avoid public places and gatherings is a big disruption to our everyday lives and therefore a disruption to our sobriety and overall wellbeing.

24th July 202028th June 2022

International Self-Care Day

Today is International Self-Care Day. It’s a great reminder to take some time out of your busy life just for you.

Before you start saying, “I don’t have time” or “I cannot possible justify taking time out for just me.” I need to remind you of all the times you sat wasted in front of the TV drunk or laid up in bed with an awful hangover.

12th June 20206th August 2020

Giving Myself Permission – Day 1533

One thing I know I need to work on is giving myself permission to do less or even nothing.

Yesterday, I was busy doing a few jobs around the house and home schooling the children. Oh, and I went for a jog. By 4.30pm I didn’t fancy doing anything else but it also felt wrong to just chill out and do nothing.

19th May 202028th June 2022

How to Stay Sober – My Toolbox Tips

So you’ve got sober. Now how to you stay sober? I’ve got loads of practical advice and tips to add to your sobriety toolbox which will help you to deal with the craziness of life, without reaching for the bottle.

It’s too easy to lose focus on what’s important. You have to remember to prioritise your own wellbeing to achieve a happy sober you and here’s how.

12th May 202012th May 2020

Managing My Emotions – Day 1502

Whilst being on lockdown I have been trying to put together a website. I have to admit it’s been hard and I have made many mistakes along the way. There have been times when I have wanted to pick up the laptop and hurl it across my office in an irrational display of rage.

When I come across something I cannot do and, its not obvious how to do it, I get really angry inside, then emotional. I just hate making mistakes.

20th April 202012th May 2020

Lockdown: Drinking v Sobriety – Day 1480

Drinking During Lockdown.

Before getting sober, my drinking brain would have used this current situation as an excuse to drink more. Losing my drinking restrictions like school pick-ups, work, visiting relatives, etc… means I would have drunk in excess of my already excessive normal.