In these unprecedented and strange times, it is easy to feel confused, scared and anxious. We may feel a greater need at this time to use alcohol or substances to help relax us. It is important to know that this current situation is not forever and will pass. However powerful the desire to drink is, it is important to realise that there are ways to deal with the stress triggers and avoid alcohol if possible. There are a few things that we can do to you look after your mental & physical health while isolated in Lockdown.
Looking after your mental health
Top tips for general mental wellbeing during the Coronavirus Lockdown (COVID-19) crisis may include:
- Limit your time reading or watching the news and on social media
- Stay connected with your loved ones by telephone or video chat
- Exercise as best you can either indoor or outside, while social distancing
- Eating as healthily as you can
- Get a good night sleep if you can
You can also find more resources on sleeping to low mood on the NHS Every Mind Matters website.
Find alcohol-free ways to relax have fun
If you’re working from home or self-isolating you might have more time than usual to fill, and sometimes we use alcohol to do that.
But there are lots of things you can do at home without alcohol. Here are a few ideas in this blog. (Alcohol Change UK)
Keep a record of your drinking habits
In the present Lockdown you might find yourself drinking more than usual without noticing. If you’re worried about your drinking getting out of hand,
there are tools available to help you keep track so you can make the decision to cut down if you notice your intake increasing.
You could keep a drinks diary? Heres a link to our template >(Link will go here)
Or for the more digitally minded, you could you could keep track of your alcohol by using an app.
Try Dry, from Alcohol Change UK is a free app and you can use it to track your intake with charts and graphs, plus see your units, calories and money saved when you cut down.
You can also earn badges for successful alcohol free days.
<Download app for android> <Download app for apple devices>
Get support online or by phone
If you are currently in recovery or sober and getting support, you might need support now more than ever – but you may be unsure of how you will get support under current ‘social distancing’ rules.
Or maybe you’re just realising that you need to cut down and would like some support, but aren’t sure where to turn.
There there are lots of great options for receiving support online or over the phone. GCA Counsellors are available to chat to you about your drinking and assess how harmful it may be,
we can also offer counselling and support while in Lockdown.
You can call us on our Free and confidential Helpline 0808 802 9000
or you can refer yourself for counselling
You can also contact our ABI Team for an informal chat about your current drinking, check your risk score?
>>> phone number or FB chat link?