25 Ways People Cope When They Chose A Life Without Alcohol And Cigarettes

In a world where many turn to alcohol or smoking to cope with stress and low points, those who abstain from these habits often have unique strategies for managing their toughest moments.

#1

Image source: Jespi92, Alena Darmel

Overeat.

#2

Image source: hael_frankie, Scott Webb

Force myself to go outside and lie in the sun. Even in winter. It’s nice, my dog always comes out with me. Sometimes we garden and potter in the vege garden. I hike a lot too. If it’s extra bad I’ll pack everything and go on an overnight hike. On my worst days I walk around the block with the dog. I can be as sad as I want but my dog doesn’t have to be sad too. Sometimes I hate those walks but the fresh air is nice. I also force myself to go the gym sometimes. That’s a new one I’m working on.

#3

It sounds weird, but when my depression hits and I’m having a bad day, I do three things:

* Take the maximum dose of any available anti-inflammatory I have on hand (Tylenol, Ibuprofen).
* Go for a walk.
* Deliberately do something nice for someone else.

Why?

* Depression flare-ups and inflammation go hand in hand.
* Exercise moderates depression severity.
* And finally, it just makes me feel better knowing that someone’s day just got a little better.

It’s worked fairly well over time. :).

Image source: virgilreality

#4

Image source: thisFishSmellsAboutD, Pascal Küffer

I’m a peaceful suburban dad, but even I have my limits.

When all else fails, gardening with a motor whipper snipper – just the right mixture of gardening and violence. Vrooom vroom muthafucka.
(Honda variohead 345cc if anyone needs a model.).

#5

Image source: DaikonNoKami, Karolina Kaboompics

Eat cheesecake flavoured ice cream / sleep a lot.

#6

Image source: bee-sting, Sam Moghadam Khamseh

Gym.

#7

Image source: Wide-Ad346, Amir Hosseini

I self isolate pretty aggressively.

#8

Image source: Tired013, Ron Lach

Just lay in bed rotting away all day until my brain hits a reset (usually from a nap) where I can actually get up. Its f*****g miserable, I wont touch smoking or drinking knowing I’d use it to cope.

#9

Image source: SillyCow76, Tetiana Bykovets

Chocolate.

#10

Image source: XAmandasAffairX, Nataliya Vaitkevich

Going out to eat at the park and watch cute animals especially cat and dogs.

#11

Image source: dbltax, Ketut Subiyanto

I do drink, but I definitely don’t touch a drop when I’m feeling low. That’s just asking for trouble. I’ll only ever have a drink if I’m in a good mood.

#12

Image source: ThrowRA_Cat_stare, Eren Li

Lay in bed all day. Binge use my phone. Maybe cry.

I do drink, but very little and only when I’m happy.

#13

Jogging, meditation and family.

Image source: IllegalIranianYogurt

#14

Image source: shakablue, Anna Shvets

Thug it out

I’d really like to hug it out instead but I can’t.

#15

Image source: 6789yuh, Mollie Sivaram

When I’m feeling down, I just put on my comfiest PJs, grab a bag of Cheetos, and have a good old-fashioned Netflix binge-watching session. And by ‘good old-fashioned’, I mean I spend 3 hours watching cat videos and then wonder where the time went.

#16

Image source: Dremlar, Polina Tankilevitch

Eat, sleep, cry, doom scroll for worse s**t.

#17

Eat :/ I’ve gained 55 lbs in the last 3 years.

But I just had an appointment with my doctor yesterday for a weight loss plan, and I’m seeing a therapist. We’re working on it ?.

Image source: peanutsonic97

#18

Image source: 52mschr, Ketut Subiyanto

Lie in bed

eat a lot or nothing at all

cry

(editing to clarify for people in the replies that I do not stay in bed and cry all day and ruin my life. I mean these are things I do for a few hours/maybe half a day when I’m having a particularly bad time mentally. after that I’m perfectly capable of getting up and doing something more productive. crying my emotions out and resting before going out and making a plan and working on things makes me feel better.).

#19

Image source: Smooth_Cockroach4133, Samsung Memory

Play games.

#20

Image source: mlovolm, Martin Péchy

Games & fiction, if i’ve some extra energy, run around the nearby lake for an hour.

#21

Play PC games or watch some comfort shows like Friends or Gilmore Girls.

Image source: HODLING_APE

#22

Image source: yearsofpractice, RDNE Stock project

Hey OP. 48 year old married father of two in the UK here. I’ve never smoked and stopped drinking about a year ago (shoutout to r/stopdrinking!)

When I get low, I’ll do the following:

– Examine the reasons I’m low then use the relevant techniques I was taught during counselling for anxiety a few years ago (I won’t bore you with the details – this works for some people and not others)

– Give myself something to look forward to – plan something to do with a hobby (RC cars for me – buying a £5 upgrade for my stupid little car cheers me up as I look forward to fitting it!), look at planning a trip in the future – doesn’t have to be expensive, just something to look forward to.

– I sincerely understand that you will not want to hear this – but if the above fails, I will get outside and exercise.

All the best from Newcastle Upon Tyne, UK.

#23

Image source: Hot-Butterscotch127, cottonbro studio

Lay in bed listening to a spotify playlist particularly catered for this kind of situation.

#24

Image source: LibraryNovel4800, Engin Akyurt

I journal, go for a walk, or call a friend for support.

#25

Image source: worriedelephants, Alex Green

Cry and become a burden to those around me.