So you made it through January without a single alcoholic drink. congratulation! So?
If you’ve been pleasantly surprised by how much better you’ve felt in a month without alcohol, why not give it up? There are many reasons why.
“Consuming alcohol can have many physical and mental effects on your body.
Steph Keenan, operations manager at the alcohol and mental health charity With You (wearewithyou.org.uk), points out how alcohol affects mental health and sleep patterns.
“Alcohol can increase problems like anxiety and depression,” she says. It means you don’t get enough recovery rest to wake up feeling good.”
In addition, reductions are beneficial for bank balances. So whether or not he managed to stay sober for the entire month of dry, here’s how to reset your relationship with alcohol in the long run.
stay curious
If you’ve enjoyed 31 days of being clear-headed and hangover-free, consider extending the drying period to see how it feels.
“Commonly known as ‘sober curiosity’. It’s an approach taken by many celebrities. It’s about abstaining from alcohol for health reasons and how it affects your mood.” ,” Kinane said.
“Understanding the effects of alcohol on your physical and mental health can help you decide how you want to change your relationship with alcohol.”
find success
Whether you’re looking back at dry jumps or continuing your sobriety-conscious journey, tracking the positive impacts of drinking less can be a great motivator.
You can calculate how much money you have saved or keep a journal regularly to understand the impact on your mental health.
“Through physical exams and diagnostic tests (sometimes offered by employers), we can track how cutting back on alcohol or quitting alcohol affects our health,” Kinane continued. increase. “Understanding what works for your body should be at the heart of any lifestyle change.”
mindful drinking
If you find yourself ordering a gin and tonic out of habit or saying “go ahead!” If a friend offers to refill your wine glass, it may help you pay more attention to how much you’re actually drinking each week.
“Instead of cutting out alcohol completely, you can choose to drink more carefully,” says Kinane. “Choosing to drink only occasionally rather than out of habit may be a good place to start.”
Apps like Drink Less (drinklessalcohol.com) let you track your intake, set goals, and monitor your mood.
Keenan suggests:
Pubs and supermarkets are now lined with a wide range of low and non-alcoholic drinks, so be sure to try them out. “Keep experimenting until you find a drink that fits your taste and lifestyle.”
sober social
From dining out to catch-ups at pubs, it’s easy for social events to revolve around drinking, so try planning some alternatives.
“You can go for a coffee or a walk, watch a show, or host a craft afternoon,” says Keenan, who recommends telling friends and family you’re trying to cut back.
“People who know why you don’t drink will usually be more respectful of your decision.”
Relieve stress without drinking alcohol
If a big glass of red wine is how you relax after a busy day, try other stress-relieving activities.
“Alcohol can actually make you feel worse,” says Keenan. “If you need a break, sit in a quiet place and do yoga or meditation. If you want to be more active, go for a run or go to the gym.”
don’t beat yourself
Even when you’re making great progress, you may experience setbacks, fall off the wagon, and revert to your old drinking habits.
“That doesn’t mean you failed,” says Keenan. “In fact, it can be an opportunity to learn more about triggers and how to avoid them, show others how they can help you in the future, and find new ways to deal with life’s problems. If you’ve had a setback, talking to someone who knows about it can help.”