https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fpsyt.2015.0015...
Huh. I've had a lot of success with therapy in this regard. Wouldn't recommend something I haven't tried.
The good therapist discouraged me from worrying too much about using a drink at the end of the day as a tool to unwind (I was considering quitting alcohol to try to help my anxiety).
Therapy can be great, but it's not a commodity. Success is highly correlated to a strong relationship between patient and therapist, and finding that is very challenging for me and others I've discussed that with.
I also started cold exposure and breathing exercises. Now I was skeptical of that stuff for sure at first but I think you can increase your stress tolerance and also train and reconnect your bodies nervous systems. It's a neurobiological thing.
I do the breathing exercises when I get stressed and that takes 5-10mins of effort. After which I've forgotten what I was stressed about. So it breaks the rumination cycle for me.
Because it makes you feel good? You certainly don't need it. It's a crutch. For socialization, sure. But to "wind down" or "de-stress"? That's not healthy in the long term.
> I recommend everyone working out, but when you had a stressful day or week, a gym workout might just add more cortisol.
Huh?
Sometimes you push hard, and a good glass wine is exactly what you need.
Sometimes you push hard, and you had enough wine the week before.
Therapists are overrated, no scientific backing in learning how to deal with high stress situations.
I recommend everyone working out, but when you had a stressful day or week, a gym workout might just add more cortisol.