Ep.12 Name it, Feel it, Heal it: Navigating the Emotional Roller Coaster of Alcohol-Free Living
Apr 26, 2024
Title: Navigating Emotions on the Alcohol-Free Journey: A Guide to Emotional Mastery
Understanding and Embracing the Roller Coaster of Emotions
In the journey to alcohol freedom, navigating and understanding emotions can be a transformative and often challenging experience. In a recent episode of the "Feel Lit Alcohol Free Podcast," hosts Ruby and Susan delved into the essential topic of emotional mastery, sharing insights and practical tools to aid listeners in better understanding and embracing their emotional landscape. From identifying emotions to rekindling joy, their discussion shed light on the emotional roller coaster of the alcohol-free journey and empowered listeners to cultivate emotional mastery.
Identifying and Exploring Emotions
The episode emphasizes the importance of identifying and exploring emotions as a crucial aspect of the alcohol-free journey. Ruby and Susan recommend setting regular intervals to check in with one's emotions throughout the day. This practice helps individuals become more aware of their emotional fluctuations and supports the development of emotional intelligence.
Tools for Emotional Discovery
To pinpoint and better understand specific emotions, the hosts suggest utilizing tools such as a thesaurus or an emotions wheel. These tools can aid in deepening one's emotional vocabulary and providing clarity on complex or nuanced feelings. By expanding the language of emotions, individuals can gain a more profound understanding of their internal experiences.
The RAIN Practice
The hosts introduce the RAIN practice, which stands for Recognizing, Allowing, Investigating, and Nurturing emotions. This framework provides a structured approach to engaging with emotions, allowing individuals to recognize and accept their feelings, investigate the underlying causes, and nurture themselves through the emotional process.
Exploring Emotions with "Atlas of the Heart"
Brene Brown's book, "Atlas of the Heart," is recommended as a valuable resource for understanding and exploring emotions. The hosts highlight the book's insights on differentiating between emotions like jealousy and envy, and how it contributes to the development of emotional mastery.
The Roller Coaster of Early Alcohol-Free Living
The emotional roller coaster experienced during the early stages of alcohol-free living is discussed, addressing a listener's question about feeling overly emotional after quitting alcohol. Ruby explains that this roller coaster is a natural part of the body's healing process and can last for up to two years, bringing forth a myriad of emotions as the body reaches homeostasis.
Navigating the "Blahs" and Anhedonia in Sobriety
The hosts delve into the concept of "anhedonia," where individuals may experience a feeling of nothingness in early sobriety due to the body's adjustment after stopping alcohol consumption. They discuss the physiological effects of excessive alcohol consumption on dopamine production and offer insights into overcoming the "blahs" through natural dopamine regeneration.
Cultivating Joy and Celebrating Wins
Approaching 100 days alcohol-free, one host recalls experiencing intense joy and struggling to accept it after an extended period of emotional numbness. The discussion also covers ways to kickstart dopamine levels, such as setting goals, daily practices, and incorporating supplements like L Theanine and L Tyrosine. The importance of celebrating accomplishments and focusing on the positive is emphasized as a means of naturally increasing dopamine levels.
Practical Strategies for Emotional and Physical Healing
Susan shares her personal strategies for overcoming the "blahs," including incorporating B vitamins, protein intake, exercise, and cultivating pleasure through savoring daily activities. The hosts stress the significance of tapping into the senses and practicing patience in the journey to heal both emotions and the body from the effects of alcohol.
Embracing Emotional Mastery
In conclusion, the episode encourages listeners to embrace emotional mastery as an essential aspect of the alcohol-free journey. By identifying, exploring, and navigating emotions with intention, individuals can cultivate resilience and forge a deeper connection with their internal landscape.
As the hosts invite listeners to join their Facebook group, they also extend an opportunity for engagement, encouraging questions for future episodes. By promoting community interaction and support, they reinforce the importance of connection and shared experiences in the alcohol-free lifestyle. The episode concludes by highlighting the significance of leaving a review, and the hosts recommend their resource "A Wine Free Weekend," contributing to education and empowerment in the journey to alcohol freedom.
We want to hear from you! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and ask us any questions you have about breaking free from wine or living an alcohol-free lifestyle. Your question could be the highlight of a future episode!
Understanding and Embracing the Roller Coaster of Emotions
In the journey to alcohol freedom, navigating and understanding emotions can be a transformative and often challenging experience. In a recent episode of the "Feel Lit Alcohol Free Podcast," hosts Ruby and Susan delved into the essential topic of emotional mastery, sharing insights and practical tools to aid listeners in better understanding and embracing their emotional landscape. From identifying emotions to rekindling joy, their discussion shed light on the emotional roller coaster of the alcohol-free journey and empowered listeners to cultivate emotional mastery.
Identifying and Exploring Emotions
The episode emphasizes the importance of identifying and exploring emotions as a crucial aspect of the alcohol-free journey. Ruby and Susan recommend setting regular intervals to check in with one's emotions throughout the day. This practice helps individuals become more aware of their emotional fluctuations and supports the development of emotional intelligence.
Tools for Emotional Discovery
To pinpoint and better understand specific emotions, the hosts suggest utilizing tools such as a thesaurus or an emotions wheel. These tools can aid in deepening one's emotional vocabulary and providing clarity on complex or nuanced feelings. By expanding the language of emotions, individuals can gain a more profound understanding of their internal experiences.
The RAIN Practice
The hosts introduce the RAIN practice, which stands for Recognizing, Allowing, Investigating, and Nurturing emotions. This framework provides a structured approach to engaging with emotions, allowing individuals to recognize and accept their feelings, investigate the underlying causes, and nurture themselves through the emotional process.
Exploring Emotions with "Atlas of the Heart"
Brene Brown's book, "Atlas of the Heart," is recommended as a valuable resource for understanding and exploring emotions. The hosts highlight the book's insights on differentiating between emotions like jealousy and envy, and how it contributes to the development of emotional mastery.
The Roller Coaster of Early Alcohol-Free Living
The emotional roller coaster experienced during the early stages of alcohol-free living is discussed, addressing a listener's question about feeling overly emotional after quitting alcohol. Ruby explains that this roller coaster is a natural part of the body's healing process and can last for up to two years, bringing forth a myriad of emotions as the body reaches homeostasis.
Navigating the "Blahs" and Anhedonia in Sobriety
The hosts delve into the concept of "anhedonia," where individuals may experience a feeling of nothingness in early sobriety due to the body's adjustment after stopping alcohol consumption. They discuss the physiological effects of excessive alcohol consumption on dopamine production and offer insights into overcoming the "blahs" through natural dopamine regeneration.
Cultivating Joy and Celebrating Wins
Approaching 100 days alcohol-free, one host recalls experiencing intense joy and struggling to accept it after an extended period of emotional numbness. The discussion also covers ways to kickstart dopamine levels, such as setting goals, daily practices, and incorporating supplements like L Theanine and L Tyrosine. The importance of celebrating accomplishments and focusing on the positive is emphasized as a means of naturally increasing dopamine levels.
Practical Strategies for Emotional and Physical Healing
Susan shares her personal strategies for overcoming the "blahs," including incorporating B vitamins, protein intake, exercise, and cultivating pleasure through savoring daily activities. The hosts stress the significance of tapping into the senses and practicing patience in the journey to heal both emotions and the body from the effects of alcohol.
Embracing Emotional Mastery
In conclusion, the episode encourages listeners to embrace emotional mastery as an essential aspect of the alcohol-free journey. By identifying, exploring, and navigating emotions with intention, individuals can cultivate resilience and forge a deeper connection with their internal landscape.
As the hosts invite listeners to join their Facebook group, they also extend an opportunity for engagement, encouraging questions for future episodes. By promoting community interaction and support, they reinforce the importance of connection and shared experiences in the alcohol-free lifestyle. The episode concludes by highlighting the significance of leaving a review, and the hosts recommend their resource "A Wine Free Weekend," contributing to education and empowerment in the journey to alcohol freedom.
We want to hear from you! Leave a review on Apple Podcasts, and ask us any questions you have about breaking free from wine or living an alcohol-free lifestyle. Your question could be the highlight of a future episode!
Grab your copy of our FREE WineFree Weekend Guide to help you on your alcohol free journey. https://feellitpodcast.com/Guide
Find community and connection on the Feel Lit Alcohol Free Facebook Page: https://www.facebook.com/groups/feellitalcoholfreepodcast
Websites:
Ruby Williams at Freedom Renegade Coaching https://www.freedomrenegadecoaching.com/
Follow Susan: @drinklesswithsusan
Follow Ruby: @rubywilliamscoaching
