I need a ‘pick-me-up’. I used to grab a glass of brandy or a port but I can’t cope with those any more. Any suggestions anyone?
How about a Christmassy mulled wine with orange and spices, it needn't be very alcoholic but is warming and smells delicious
I can think of a way for you to relax without the alcohol. You might try downloading some guided relaxation onto your device and listen to it once or twice a day. It's at least as good as a glass of port though I love port.
Hi amkoffee - it’s a ‘bodily’ pick-me-up I need not mental. I’ve just had a beast of a month back and forward to hospital - I’ve had enough relaxation!!😏
I understand now. I had to quit drinking alcohol seven years ago because I started on pain medication for my lower back and other issues. So I would love nothing more than to have a drink. In your case you might consider asking your doctor for some diazepam. And of course you wouldn't want to take that on a regular basis but it would certainly help you to relax under a stressful situations. As ViktoriaH suggested mulled wine you might also consider a nice cup of eggnog with the alcohol in it of course.
Don't take diazepam, take clonazepam, it has a longer half life a when it is time to stop it it is a little easier to get off of. Be careful with that stuff. If you have an addictive nature you will not want to take it every day. Just take it when you need to relax or sleep.
A nice glass of Sekt my dear!!! When I had dire low BP after Francesca was born that was what the GP suggested in the mid-afternoon instead of a cup of tea! He was right - it worked! The little bottles are perfect for the purpose.
You have snow - does anyone offer sleigh-rides in your neck of the woods? But wait for sun, blue skies and sparkly bits to raise your mood. OTOH - that might take some time! 
Hi constance.de
My pick-me-up was WW rose with sugar free pink lemonade ice and lemon still is on the odd occasion....best wishes constance.de
Can’t stand the stuff!😒 The tea sounds better.
Not enough snow. Roll on sun and blue skys - not seen those for days.
Christmas is coming - always something to look forwad to.
Tea, definitely. Including fizzy fermented tea which starts with a k and always seems to get moderated.
kombucha
Never heard of it!! Looked it up. No! I’ll stick to my black tea (very weak) with no additives.
I think mulled wine and egg nog sound a lot better than a benzodiazepine. Also you can’t drink with clonazepam, so not on my Christmas list!!
Would you believe you can get organic wine and organic wine drops? Seriously. I haven’t tried them but I know someone with PMR who has. With the drops you pop them in a normal wine and takes out the bit that affects the liver or something, I’m told if you can’t get them at the local you can order them online.
The fizzy tea doesn't have "additives". At least the kind sold here doesn't. The first kind I tried tasted very much like the best ginger ale. Most recently our vendor has started using ayurvedic foods, herbs. Delicious and refreshing.... I'd say a nice substitute for wine or ale.
But I know what you mean about flavoured drinks generally. Coffee with flavours added smells nice but tastes like chemicals to me, and I'm not keen on things like chai or sweetened tea.
Looked that up. Apparently sulphites are removed easily by aerating the wine, like swirling it around in your glass, or decanting it.
Is that a good thing??
Sounds better than adding something to neutralize sulphites, doesn't it?
Haha.. sure does.
I’ve had a right carry on with that heart monitor I had inserted a month ago. The wound wouldn’t close, had to go to hospital every two days to have it checked and new dressing put on. After 3 1/2 weeks it still hadn’t closed and I woke up last Friday and the thing was bleeding and hurt like hell. The damn thing had started to come out all on it’s own. Back to hospital and they had to take it out!!! I am left weak (that’s why I need a pick me up).