Mother's Day
I know it feels like each of us have unique emotional experiences. It is easy to assume that nobody understands or, even worse, cares about our individual experience. With people's permission, the H-Log includes real thoughts and experiences from humans all over the world.
Drinking alcohol can have a big impact on your nervous system and how you feel, especially when it comes to anxiety. Let's break it down in simple terms.
## How Alcohol Affects the Nervous System
Your nervous system is like the body's communication network. It includes the brain, the spinal cord, and all the nerves that run throughout your body. When you drink alcohol, it acts as a depressant, which means it slows down the activity in your brain and nervous system.
Here's what happens:
- **Neurotransmitters**: These are chemicals in your brain that help send messages between nerve cells. Alcohol increases the number of neurotransmitters that slow down these messages, making your brain work more slowly.
- **Brain Activity**: Because the messages are slower, your brain activity decreases. This can make you feel relaxed and less anxious at first, but it also slows down your thinking, movement, and reactions.
## Impact on Anxiety
At first, drinking alcohol might make you feel less anxious. This is because it can help you relax and feel more at ease in social situations. However, this effect is only temporary and can lead to bigger problems later on.
Here's why:
- **Temporary Relief**: Alcohol can make you feel good for a short time, but as it wears off, your anxiety can come back even stronger. This is because alcohol changes the levels of certain chemicals in your brain, like serotonin, which affects your mood and anxiety levels[3][4].
- **Increased Anxiety**: After the alcohol wears off, you might feel more anxious than before. This can last for several hours or even a whole day. This is sometimes called an "emotional hangover"[4].
- **Dependence**: If you start using alcohol regularly to cope with anxiety, you might develop a dependence on it. This means you feel like you need to drink to feel okay, which can make your anxiety worse in the long run[7].
## Long-Term Effects
If you drink a lot of alcohol over a long period of time, it can cause serious damage to your nervous system. This can lead to problems like memory loss, trouble thinking clearly, and even permanent nerve damage[1][6].
In summary, while alcohol might make you feel less anxious at first, it can actually make anxiety worse over time and cause serious harm to your nervous system. It's important to find healthier ways to manage anxiety, like talking to a trusted adult, exercising, or practicing relaxation techniques.
Citations:
[1] https://www.transformationstreatment.center/mental-health/how-does-alcohol-affect-the-nervous-system/
[2] https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC8222771/
[3] https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol-and-anxiety
[4] https://health.clevelandclinic.org/emotional-hangover-why-alcohol-can-give-you-anxiety
[5] https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/23713737/
[6] https://www.ardurecoverycenter.com/alcohol-effects-on-nervous-system/
[7] https://www.alcoholrehabguide.org/resources/dual-diagnosis/alcohol-and-anxiety/
[8] https://www.mayoclinichealthsystem.org/hometown-health/speaking-of-health/does-drinking-alcohol-kill-brain-cells
[9] https://www.palmerlakerecovery.com/alcohol-abuse-and-addiction/alcohol-effects-nervous-system/
LISTENER NARRATIVES
Mother's Day!
WHY DO I MISS MY MEAN MOTHER?
It is a common experience to deeply miss a parent, even if the relationship was strained or difficult. Here are some potential reasons why you may miss your mom despite her being mean:
#Unconditional Love
Despite her flaws, she was still your mother who likely loved you unconditionally. That bond is powerful and her absence can leave a void.[2]
#Shared History
You have a lifetime of memories and shared experiences with your mom, both positive and negative. Missing that connection to your personal history is natural.[1]
#Regret
You may regret the relationship not being better and long for a chance to repair it or have closure, which is now impossible.[3]
#Habit
If your mom was a constant presence in your life, even a difficult one, her absence can feel unsettling as you adjust to the new normal.[1]
#Idealization
In death, you may be reminiscing about the good times and qualities you appreciated in her, while the negative traits fade from memory.[2]
#Need for Nurturing
Even as adults, we can long for the nurturing, care and wisdom that a mother ideally provides, despite the reality of your relationship.[3]
The grief you feel does not negate the challenges you had with your mom. The conflicting mix of emotions is valid. With time and processing, you can find peace in celebrating the positive while accepting the negative.[2][3]
Citations:
[1] https://www.hercampus.com/school/south-carolina/6-reasons-you-miss-your-mom/
[2] https://www.dcurbanmom.com/jforum/posts/list/1138220.page
[3] https://www.reddit.com/r/relationship_advice/comments/usttif/i_miss_my_mom_to_the_point_i_cry_and_im_an_adult/
[4] https://community.whattoexpect.com/forums/january-2024-babies/topic/no-family-i-miss-my-mom-155956425.html
[5] https://www.reddit.com/r/GriefSupport/comments/xillvp/i_miss_my_mom_so_much/
My Mom Passed Away
Here is the perspective written in the first person:
I feel the weight of the loss heavily, like an immense burden has been placed upon my chest, making each breath labored. My mom's passing has left a cavernous void - one that oscillates between a dull ache and searing pain throughout each day.
In the quiet moments, memories of my relationship with her play like videos in my mind. Tender moments of her nurturing care intermingle with recollections of arguments and tensions that strained our bond over the years. Regrets linger about things left unsaid or hurts never fully healed between us.
At times, I almost expect her to walk through the door, as if her absence is just temporary. But then the harsh reality sets in again that she is gone forever from this world. The finality of that truth unleashes deep, gut-wrenching waves of grief.
Yet there are fleeting moments of calm reprieve. When I catch a whiff of her favorite perfume or hear a song she loved, it's almost as if she is sending me a loving signal from the beyond. These small signs provide equal parts sadness and solace.
More than anything, I feel unmoored. My mom was my unwavering anchor - the glue that held so much together, for better or worse. Without her grounding presence and influence, I feel adrift, unsteady. The world seems vast and frightening in her absence.
Amid the turmoil, there is also a growing determination within me. I know my mom's spirit lives on through me, and I am more committed than ever to honoring her legacy. Keeping her memory vibrant and embodying the strengths she bestowed is paramount.
For now, the anguish is all-consuming and raw. But I have faith that with time and support, I can integrate this profound loss in a way that celebrates the love we shared. The journey will be long, but my resilient mother prepared me for the path ahead.