Raising a Glass to Sobriety: Mindfulness, Brain Health and the Power of Abundance
Alcoholism and mental health is like trying to mix beer and whiskey, it’s a cheap recipe for disaster.
They can live side by side, but they don’t get along very well.
But that’s fine, because, let’s be honest, alcohol is overrated.
It doesn’t solve our problems, but it dulls our awareness of them for a while.
And, really, who wants a quick fix when you can have the real thing?
But let’s talk about gratitude for a second.
What nondrinkers do when they’d rather not pretend they are happy.
I mean, who needs booze when you can just have a good old-fashioned “I’m grateful for my bed” moment?
Because, when you really stop to think about it, it’s much more rewarding to take pleasure in the little things in life than to try to numb yourself to them with a bottle.
With alcohol, you can’t remove the pain without removing the pleasure.
And since we’re discussing the insignificant, how about we discuss the “the law of attraction”.
You know, the process of bringing about your goals and desires through the power of a positive mental attitude.
Why drink when you can simply will yourself a new job or a new lover?
To be fair, it’s not much more difficult than getting drunk, so why not give it a shot?
Sobriety and mental health may seem like an impossible combination, but honestly, it’s not.
It just feels that way when you’re taking your first steps.
Adopting an attitude of gratitude and optimism will help you develop a mindset of abundance that will aid you in your recovery and in all aspects of your life.
Who really needs booze when you have science?
Those who practice mindfulness-enhancing activities like yoga and meditation have a better chance of overcoming their alcoholic behavior, according to research.
Because it’s a lot better to be in charge of your own thoughts and actions than to let alcohol do it for you.
If you don’t practice thinking then thinking happens to you.
Since we’re talking about mindfulness, let’s move on to the brain.
You know, the organ that gets messed up when you drink too much.
Studies have shown that heavy alcohol use can cause lasting changes in the brain, including the reduction in size of the memory and learning center known as the hippocampus.
No rocket scientist is required to understand that alcohol consumption is harmful.
The time created since your last drink is a great opportunity to take care of your brain and let it recover from the damage that drinking did.
Sobriety and mental health are like a match made in heaven, or a beer and a shot.
A glass of wine and a good book.
Or even, a whiskey sour and an existential crisis.
Remember, you don’t need alcohol to have a good time, and with the right resources and knowledge, you can increase your chances of a successful recovery and improve your overall well-being.
So, raise a glass of water, and let mindfulness and brain health be your designated driver on the road to sobriety.
