Alternatives to stress drinking

We are all guilty of it. After a long, hard day, we reach for a cold beer, cocktail or glass of wine to ease what ails us. After a drink or two, the tension subsides and relaxation sets in.

So what is it about alcohol that creates relaxation?

Recent studies conducted at the University of Chicago, USA, suggest that stress and alcohol ‘feed’ each other. In some test subjects, alcohol consumption was found to decrease the hormone cortisol, which the body releases in response to stress, thus prolonging the feelings of tension and anxiety associated with stress. While there is this correlation, researcher Emma Childs strongly warns that while the numbers do support the link between alcohol and stress relief, Childs adds that it is often hard to separate alcohol’s effects upon stress reactions from its effects on the perceptions of how stressful an experience is.  

While I see nothing wrong with enjoying an alcoholic beverage, I encourage you to try these helpful techniques to (instaed of turning to alcohol) to encourage relaxation and tranquility after a hard day

Get Moving!– physical activity helps bump up the production of your brain’s feel-good neurotransmitters, endorphins. This will also improve your mood.

Deep Breathing – deep breathing is one of the best ways to lower stress in the body. Deep breathing sends a message to the brain to calm down.

Phone a Friend – talking aloud makes thoughts real, and allows the brain to process these thoughts and revert to a calmer place.

More information on the above mentioned study can be found at http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2011/07/110715163216.htm