I slept from 9:30-3:30, then back to- sleep from 5-7. Even after 8 hours I felt like I could sleep at least another 2 hours. I can't wait for that first stretch to last until 5 so I can get into REM sleep and repair my body. Alcohol, even 1 glass!, can interrupt circadian rhythms. Gosh no wonder I was going crazy.
Successful and productive morning-
Breakfast-egg-flax muffin, strawberries, and 2 sausage links. Lunch-steak, cheese-turkey mayo on 1/2 bun, protein shake post run, hot metabolism.
Ran-5.5 with Shadow-Loon loop. Walked 1.5 with Ripper. then pick up Campbell, shower, and lunch. Now journal and reading.
Today's mission is to begin to put together a better sleep routine which will include no cell phone after __ o'clock. I also need to charge the phone in another room so I am not tempted to look at it when/if I awaken in the night.
Substitutions-
->AF drinks are good substitutes for alcohol but it does not address the underlying need that I used to think alcohol fixed. Stress is the #1 reason I drank. Anxiety, anger, fear, etc were all factors in my high levels of perceived stress. Alcohol does not help to resolve issue but further avoid them.
Stress relieve options-tea, reading, journaling, petting the dogs, walk with the dogs, go for a run, do KB swings, time outdoors, take a nap, take a shower, take a bath, go for a swim, mindfulness...
Scott suggests creating an image of what I want to be doing, or what I want to look like in this lifestyle. Hiking, running, laughing, enjoying family time and life. Perspective is everything. Focus on what I can control like what goes into my body, how I respond to feelings, whether I listen to my body or take charge and tell my body what to do. This requires laying down new neural pathways that lead to new habits but it will take some time and effort.
What have I been trying to get from alcohol?
Naked Mind-today's video was one of the most informative so far. The guest discussed how neural pathways are formed over time and how they can be changed or avoided. You have to lay down new ones and stop using the old ones.
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