Hey there.
I wanted to check in as the nights are getting longer and darker.
I wanted to remind those of you that drink (including me!) that drinking alcohol is probably not very good for any of us.
And for those of us who have a history of addiction in our families (does someone not?) or are feeling especially vulnerable and lonely (all of us!?) during this pandemic, it would probably good be good to avoid it most of the time.
I know. I know.
What an actual buzz kill!
But I’ve been hearing from a more than a few people and noticed in my own behavior that sometimes challenging and overwhelming times allow us to justify doing things that aren’t really good for us.
So, this is a gentle reminder, if you need it, that alcohol is “neurotoxic, which is why your brain doesn’t work quite right after a few drinks. It makes it harder for your body to control blood sugar levels and directly promotes changes in your intestinal lining which contributes to “leaky gut” promoting inflammation that starts in the gut but travelseverywhere in the body.” (Whole30 Melissa Hartiwig)
And usually drinking it does not make us feel better in the long run. And I find when I have a glass or two of wine that my sleep is disturbed and I wake up in the middle of the night and worry more.
Yes, it can block out or numb the intense feelings and maybe allow a window for those feelings to be expressed, but it would be a lot better to spend your time talking to a loved one, going outside, finding a great online therapist or doing some tapping.
I know.
I sound so annoying.
As I write this I’m actually getting ready to go have a drink with a friend!
I am not being pure. And this email is probably to myself as much as you.
But I wanted to share three resources that I came upon when I was feeling drawn to share this with you. (I really wanted to skip it, but I couldn’t not say it.)
This is an interesting article on how moderate drinking might not actually be good for anyone and probably isn’t as protective as we thought it was.
This is a great article on our depleted surge capacity that helps explain why we feel the way we do.
https://elemental.medium.com/your-surge-capacity-is-depleted-it-s-why-you-feel-awful-de285d542f4c
And this is a wonderful article about going to AA meetings online during the pandemic.
https://www.theatlantic.com/ideas/archive/2020/08/how-aa-prepared-me-indefinite-lockdown/615667/
I know.
Dammit! We’re in a pandemic.
But I want to make sure that we come out of this (whenever that is….) better than when it started or at least not with an addiction we have to manage for the rest of our lives.
So on that fun note. I will remind you that AA meetings are happening online.
Go easy on yourself in many ways, but also make sure to have awareness enough to keep yourself safe.
(And also don’t mock me too aggressively if you see me sitting outside somewhere drinking a glass of red wine.)
(And to those of you who don’t drink or are in recovery -great choice. xo)
I also wanted to share this quote that Elizabeth Gilbert shares in her book Big Magic. It inspires me and reminds me that no one is saying this world isn’t a ruthless furnace-just that we have to work to accept gladness in spite of it being a ruthless furnace.
H0pe it helps you, too.
Roll ons! Glad some of you were able to get your roll ons last week. Are you using them? Are you finding them helpful?
I had a few people tell me they were overwhelmed by all the choices and couldn’t pick one.
So, I think if you want to try a roll on you should get a peppermint one. They are uplifting, help with pain, (are magic in helping headaches disappear) and help with nausea.
Everyone should have one!
$10 each
If you would like one, just text me 413-325-4529 and I will get it to you.
(And I still have some of the smaller blue glass bottles of Anti-Viral spray –
2 ounce for $10)
Let me know if you would like a bottle of that or would like me to send one to someone.
You can pay by check, cash, paypal or Venmo.
