The holiday season is like a litmus test for everyone who is aiming to maintain sobriety. No action can begin without a proper thinking process. The decision to drink is not like an involuntary action of sneezing. It is an impulsive decision that has the potential to destroy the fruits of rehabilitation. You can also find out details of local AA meetings if you feel like meeting people in the same boat.
Feel the thrill of staying sober
Consider that you do not have any other choice than to stay away from the drinks and then stick to the decision. Hold the glass of any mock-tail or just a sparkling soda when everyone around you is drinking. You can even enjoy staying sober among the crowd of drinkers. Use AA meeting locator to join a meeting to spend quality time if you do not wish to join a monotonous social event.
There is pure joy in sipping nonalcoholic beverages, especially when others are getting inebriated. You enjoy the food when not drinking alcohol. Teetotalers get to eat the best of food because others are only interested in stuffing cans of beer.
Renewing the commitment
Maintaining sobriety is a commitment to yourself, and you must renew your resolution every morning. Planning how to fight the triggers on any particular day will help you refresh your thoughts. It is important not to lose focus on your decision.
You can also consider writing some of the most relaxing and refreshing things, such as smelling a few drops of eucalyptus oil by rubbing on palms or practicing meditation. These activities can virtually brush the negative thoughts out of your mind.
Stress management
Holidays are for relaxation, but sometimes you may feel stressed up because of some family matters. Any stress can be a trigger. Yoga can be a great option to manage stress. Every morning, try to spend an hour meditating or doing deep breathing exercises.
Spend time with kids because the company of kids can instantly relieve stress. Keeping yourself hydrated can also help reduce cravings. If you are attending a social gathering, do not stay away from people who are drinking. Mix with them and let everyone know that you have remained sober.
Attend AA meetings
The AA meeting is the most effective way to boost your morale as you will meet individuals who are also trying to remain sober or have successfully remained sober for years. Listening to their experiences can make you feel more confident about your decision to stay away from alcohol.
Some reputed sites offer the facility of a sobriety calculator. Use this to know how long you have been sober. You can easily track your achievement without the hassles of remembering details like dates and days. Knowing the length of the sobriety period can act as an effective motivator.
Staying busy
An empty mind is a devil’s workshop. You can find something to do at the party to stay away from the people enjoying their drinks. The best way to keep yourself busy is to help the host by arranging food or serving the guests.
