153. Reassurance

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Hello, darling heart, and welcome to this episode of the drink less, live better podcast. This is the podcast that helps you

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to see that drinking less doesn't need to be stressful, lonely, or boring. I'm your host, Sarah Williamson, and I decided

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to have a year alcohol free as a little life experiment and haven't looked back. I'm a best selling author, expert speaker,

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corporate workshop facilitator and life coach. I'm here to support you with your alcohol free or drink less adventures. To

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keep up to date, be sure to follow me on Instagram at drinklesslivebetter and head to the website, drinklesslivebetter.com,

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where you'll be able to sign up to the 5 day drinkless experiment, find blog posts, and you can choose to join the email club

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where I share resources, wisdom, insights, and glimmers of hope and joy. I hope you enjoy this episode. Let's get straight

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to it. We all need reassurance. Alright. Let's talk about those moments when our minds decide to throw us into a whirlwind

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of worry and uncertainty. Whether it's a hangover from hell, a looming deadline, a tricky conversation just waiting to happen,

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or some general existential pondering, easy for me to say, sometimes our thoughts can feel heavy and unwieldy. Take it from

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someone who knows. Fear not because I have got 5 trusty tips for you today. These will help you to find that much needed reassurance.

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I'm talking to myself as much as I am to you right now. Okay. Let's begin. Tip 1, breathe. Baby, breathe. It might sound cliched

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but it works wonders. When your mind starts spiraling into panic mode, take a moment to focus on your breath. Close your eyes.

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Inhale deeply through your nose. Feel that fresh oxygen fill your lungs and then exhale slowly and repeat and repeat. It's

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like hitting the reset button for your brain. This simple physical act can help calm those mad racing thoughts. Feel the reassurance

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of your own body. Number 2, talk it out or write it out. Whether you need to say it out loud or keep it private, do something.

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Don't keep those worries unarticulated. Sometimes just talking about what's on your mind can be incredibly cathartic. Ask

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someone you trust to listen to them to you. Tell them if you want them to contribute with ideas, thoughts, questions, or tell

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them if you want them to listen to you carefully and support you to unpick what's going on yourself. Share your concerns,

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and you might be surprised at how much better you feel afterwards. If you're not keen on verbalizing your thoughts, grab a

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journal and jot them down instead. There's something very therapeutic about putting pen to paper and getting those thoughts

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out of your head and onto the page. Allow someone else's love to soothe you. Number 3, break it down, kitten. Big problems

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or situations have a nasty habit of feeling even bigger when we try to tackle them all at once. Instead of letting that daunting

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task or thought overwhelm you, break it down into smaller, more manageable steps. Focus on one piece at a time and before

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you know it you'll have chipped away at the problem until it's no longer looming quite so large. Plus, crossing off those

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mini milestones along the way, that is some seriously satisfying reassurance right there. Number 4, find your soul soothers.

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Seek out the places and things that help you to feel good about yourself and your abilities. Perhaps it's your favourite playlist,

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film or book. Maybe it's a coffee shop, park, forest or a cosy blanket and a cup of tea on your sofa. Find whatever gives

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you that safe feeling inside and lean into it. Number 5, practice some self compassion. Last, but certainly not least, be

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really kind to yourself. I know this is easier said than done. We're often our own harshest critics, but beating yourself

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up over your worries and insecurities isn't gonna do you any favours. Instead, practice some self compassion. Treat yourself

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with the same love, understanding and forgiveness that you would offer to a friend in need. Remember, it's okay to stumble

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and falter sometimes. You're only human after all, and me too. Take a deep breath. Lean on your support system. Do one small

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thing at a time. Be gentle and compassionate with yourself, and you'll be a step closer to feeling reassured and safe. I'm

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cheering for you in the good times, but please know, more importantly, I'm cheering you on in the unsteady and unsettling

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times. Thank you for listening in today. Come back again next week. I'd massively appreciate it if you could subscribe, rate,

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and review the podcast. Well, do that if you love it, obviously. If you don't love it, don't do it. Check out the show notes

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for a link to a hidden podcast episode that will help you with your 5 PM cravings and details about my one to one life coaching

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and sober coaching programmes. And, PS, I believe in you.