Boozy dilemma's

Friday night is beer night in our little household.

A visit to the fancy pants craft beer shop on the way home. Then when the rug rat is asleep a bottle is cracked open to round the week off.

Sunday's on the other hand are a no booze zone (usually). I hate the feeling of heading into work the day after alcohol. Even a little makes me feel lethargic and lacking sharpness.

But last night (Sunday) I wanted a drink. There are a couple of cheeky single malts lurking around in the front room and I found myself wanting a drop.

This is going to sound a little wanky, but it's true.

Over the last year I've got to know myself better.

WTF?

So I knew I didn't really want the whisky. I wasn't after the taste. I wasn't wanting to sit back and enjoy the drink.

I wanted to feel good and the drink was just a crutch to do that.

I'd spent the day working on a new project. Something I really want to work but I'm not sure if it will.

I could feel my heart racing and there was definitely a bit of adrenaline skipping around the body.

My wired up mind was looking for a way to just feel good. The whisky is filled with associations of relaxing and feeling good for me.

So my mind was telling me to get the whisky even though I didn't actually want the whisky.

It thought it would be a gateway to calm, happy me.

I know I'm not the only one who does this either. So many of us find ways of sedating ourselves. Trying to calm ourselves and disengage from stresses, with habits that damage our health.

Food, booze, TV, porn.

All ways to hide and avoid feeling uncomfortable.

The whisky would have changed nothing. The challenge in front would still be the same.

Instead, I lay down on the floor.

Managing stress is a huge part of staying healthy. No matter the front we put on for the rest of the world, we all get the crush of stress on us at some point. How we respond and cope with it can mean the difference in our health, happiness, relationships with our loved ones and even finances.

So I lay down on the floor to try one technique I learned in a masters nutrition course.

The mind body scan.

Lie down for 5 minutes (it can help to set a timer on your phone so you don't get agitated trying to constantly check the time).

Then focus on each part of your body. Start at the top of your head and move down to your feet seeing what you notice.

Is your forehead frowning? Is your jaw relaxed or clenched? Are your shoulders relaxed? How are you breathing (rapid or slow. From your tummy or your chest).

Move along your arms, your abdomen, your legs. All the way to your toes.

Next.

What are you thinking?

What is going on in your thinky box?

Last night, it felt a jumble at first.

I realised I was a little nervous, but it was more excitement.

I was also pleased. Pleased to be getting shit done. I wasn't sitting around wondering like I have so often in the past. I was taking a risk and making myself be a little better.

I slowed my breathing and let myself have a little smile.

I wasn't scared. I didn't need a whisky to cheer up.

I was excited and pleased.

In 5 minutes my perception of where I was completely changed.

Try this out for yourself, it's amazing what you can figure out about yourself when you give your mind a chance to quieten and be listened to.

If you think it sounds a bit wishy washy, just try putting your cynicism on hold. You don't have to tell anyone you're doing this and if it turns out to be new age guff...no one need ever know.

It's tea for me for the rest of the week....until Friday beers at any rate.