It’s something that I’ve become more and more aware of as I’ve gotten older and that is that my generation was a generation of binge drinkers. I do feel like the UK does have that culture of binge drinking anyway but I’ve noticed that when it comes to going out, a lot of my generation drank to get drunk, rather than have a social evening out.
While it was fun to drink, over the last year or so, it’s felt less and less enjoyable because of the volume of alcohol that I was drinking. I like to believe that I’ve always known when my limit was and when it comes to being sick, thankfully I avoid it most of the time. However, nowadays due to now being out of my 20s, I find myself getting the two-day hangover, and let me tell you, that ain’t fun.
With all this in mind, I’m planning to cut down the amount I drink next year, not just for my health but to create a healthier relationship with it. I should be able to drink a couple of glasses of wine without feeling the urge to polish off the whole bottle in one sitting. If you’re looking to cut down or quit drinking in the new year, then here are some helpful tips that might help.
*This is a collaborative post.
*This is a collaborative post.Organise social gatherings with non-alcoholic venues
First and foremost, the issue that some people find challenging is that most of their social activities end up taking place in an alcohol-centric venue. Whether that’s a pub, bar or club, it’s all there to tempt you to drink alcohol. With that in mind, find opportunities to organise social gatherings that take place in non-alcoholic venues. That could be doing an escape room or visiting a local world heritage park.
There are lots of different places up and down the country that don’t have to be solely focused on drinking and these activities can often be good fun to do regularly. It helps to break up those times of going to the pub or bar for a drink.
There were a few times when in the space of the week, I would have gone out twice and these would be boozy evenings that will result in me being out of action the following day. Literally, I cannot work effectively when I’m hungover. For me though, that would be two days out of action from work – which as a self-employed individual would be challenging.
I had to realise that I was no longer at university where I could drink my body weight in alcohol and then sleep it off all day the following day. I have work and bills to pay nowadays, and I’m responsible for my fur baby and contributing to our household.
Look at drinking more alcohol-free beverages
Alcohol-free beverages are an important part of quitting the habit of drinking but they can also just be a good alternative to having alcohol. A lot of them taste like alcohol, so you’re getting the taste but not the two-day hangover the following day. Of course, you don’t get that buzz of being drunk but if you’re trying to cut down on alcohol consumption, then this is a great way of doing it.
From sparking teas to alcohol-free beer and cider, pretty much most alcohol has been made into an alcohol-free version of itself. I think this is something I’d definitely embrace myself in the New Year.
Limit yourself to one or two glasses
When it comes to drinking alcohol, adding a limit is a great way of curbing the excessive drinking-to-get-drunk attitude that a lot of my generation has. Limiting yourself to one or two glasses of wine will mean you get that slight buzz of tipsiness without having to get drunk. Social drinking can be a lot less alcohol-driven and more about the enjoyment of the alcohol being drunk. I can appreciate a quality glass of wine or two without needing to have the whole bottle.
It’s making me sound like an alcoholic – I promise I’m not. But when it comes to going out and drinking, I’d likely end up drinking a bottle of wine to myself. It feels like it’s the normal thing to do in our society which isn’t healthy by any means.
Don’t have a lot of alcohol in the home
To help avoid the need or want to drink, think about how much alcohol you have in the home. I’m the same when it comes to food. If I have a packet of biscuits in the house, chances are, I’m going to eat that whole packet within a matter of days.
Alcohol can be tempting to have in the home and it’s often that you’ll find yourself having a glass or two with dinner – which is fine. However, it’s going beyond that point of having one or two glasses that I feel is dangerous. It’s a slippery slope to have more and more alcohol in the space of an evening or week.
Get help if you need it
Not everyone can control their alcohol or their want to have alcohol and often enough, when we’re struggling it’s important to get help. Getting help isn’t shameful nor should it be a problem that you can’t talk about. There are lots of helpful resources that can help when it comes to getting the support you need. With that in mind, be sure to get in touch with any of the following resources, should you need help.
Are you looking to quit or cut down on alcohol consumption in the New Year? Let me know your thoughts on drinking, in the comments below.
*Disclaimer – This is a collaborative post with Real Drinks. All words are my own.
