Drinking is widely regarded as a social pastime, a stress reliever, and even a potential treatment for insomnia and anxiety. However, drinking rarely helps to alleviate these problems in the long run. The long-term health effects of drinking can be harmful.
Even modest drinking can make you feel drowsy, foggy, or hungover. Nonetheless, there are so many reasons why you should consider to quit drinking alcohol. For some people, it’s a lifestyle change where they say goodbye to hangovers, sleep better, lose excess weight, save more money and have more energy. However, the best reason to quit alcohol is to improve your overall health and wellbeing.
However, quitting alcohol can be daunting. This beneficial article provides you with the healthy ways to quit drinking.
10 Healthy Ways To Quit Drinking
Addiction to drinking is very difficult to abstain from. Yet, it is necessary to avoid. Here are some healthy ways to quit drinking that can help:
1. Make a list of reasons to quit drinking
Making a list of reasons to stop drinking, such as feeling better, sleeping better, or enhancing your relationships, might help you stay motivated. When you are able to find out why, then the how becomes easier.
2. Make a drinking goal for yourself
Setting a limit on the amount of alcohol you will consume will also help a lot. Drinking should be limited to one drink per day for men at 65 years above, and two drinks per day for men younger.
For those with specific medical issues or for some elderly adults, these limitations may be too high. However, doctors can assist you in deciding what is best for you.
3. Keep a record of your drinking habits
Keep track of every drink you have for three to four weeks. Also, include details on what you drank, how much you drank, and where you were. When you compare this to your goal, you’ll see how far you’ve come.
Furthermore, you can also talk to your doctor or another health expert if you’re having problems keeping to your goal.
4. You should not keep alcohol in your home
If you don’t have any alcohol at home, you’ll be able to cut down on your drinking. Make it as difficult as possible for you to access alcoholic beverages.
5. Slowly sip your beverage
Try sipping your beverage. After you’ve had an alcoholic beverage, drink some soda, water, or juice. Never consume alcohol on an empty stomach.
6. Choose days when you won’t be drinking alcohol
Make a weekly decision to skip drinking in a day or two. You might try not to take alcohol for a week or a month to see how you feel physically and mentally. Taking a vacation from alcohol can help you cut down your drinking habit.
7. Resist peer pressure
Practice saying no in a respectful manner to your colleagues or drinking partners. You are not forced to drink just because others are, and you should not take every drink handed to you. Therefore, people that encourage you to drink should be avoided.
8. Keep yourself occupied
Take a walk, participate in sports, eat out, or see a movie. Pick up a new activity or return to an old one when you’re at home. Painting, playing board games, learning a musical instrument, and woodworking is all excellent alternatives to drinking. There are many other healthy things to do when bored, which can help you avoid drinking.
9. Request for help
It’s not always easy to cut back on drinking. Therefore, make it clear to your friends and family that you require their assistance to achieve this goal. In addition, a doctor, counselor, or therapist may be able to assist you.
10. Keep an eye out for temptation
Avoid people and settings that make you feel compelled to drink. If you associate yourself drinking with certain occasions, such as holidays or vacations, make a strategy for dealing with them ahead of time. Keep an eye on your emotions. That is, when you’re scared, lonely, or in a bad mood.
Bottom Line
These are some of the healthy ways to quit drinking. However, you need to work hard and put in a lot of effort to achieve your goal of quitting alcohol.
This is indeed intriguing. I am a habits coach’ and don’t mind an occasional drink. The tips are very helpful.
Peer pressure is huge. I’m much more likely to drink if I hang out with other people who are drinking.
Excellent. Knowing about the effects of alcohol on your body, as I explain in my post, is as important as, finding ways to quit drinking. Thank you for sharing your tips.