Did you know? Early sobriety can feel like releasing pressure from a teapot 💨 All the stress chemicals and numbed emotions come rushing up at once. Your brain’s “survival mode” and amygdala (the anger and fear center) might even activate. This is normal because your mind and body is rebalancing. What helps (and why): - Slow breathing Calms the amygdala and lowers the fight-or-flight response by activating the vagus nerve. - Light movement (like a walk) Boosts endorphins + dopamine and increases neuroplasticity so your brain can adapt and change. - Journaling or voice notes Gives your brain a safe outlet to release thoughts instead of building more internal pressure. - Venting to friends or Sam Putting feelings into words reduces amygdala activity and helps the emotional circuits feel safe again. Recovery isn’t just about subtraction! It’s the art of addition. Adding tools, routines, and support that give your brain new places for that pressure to go. 🌻