Are you feeling more thirsty than you used to? You might be ready to reduce your alcohol intake or quit drinking altogether. Even if you aren’t an alcoholic, drinking every day can harm everything.
This includes your sleep, your mood, and your mental health. You may wonder how to stop drinking if it has become part of your daily routine.
Why should you give up alcohol?
1. Better sleep
Two of the most crucial parts of sleep can be disrupted by alcohol: Slow-wave sleep which is a physical refreshment and REM Sleep which is important for learning and memory.
Regular alcohol consumption can affect your energy levels, making you tired and slow. You will feel more awake and energized when you give up alcohol.
2. Reduce anxiety and irritability
The brain chemicals that are important for mental health can be affected by alcohol.
Although alcohol can make you feel more relaxed, long-term effects can cause anxiety, irritability, and depression.
3. Help you Lose Weight
Drinking alcohol is pointless for your body since it has no nutrients and it contains lots of empty calories. It slows down metabolism and slows down the body’s ability to process other fats and sugars. Reducing your intake is an excellent way to reduce calories.
4. Your skin will be clearer and brighter
Your skin can benefit from giving up alcohol. It will not only reduce breakouts but also make your skin appear healthier and brighter.
Alcohol can dry out your skin and make your complexion duller.
Alcohol’s sugar also damages collagen and depletes vitamins, which can lead to a dullening of the skin. This will make your skin appear older.
How Can I Train Myself to Drink Less Alcohol?
1. Set Manageable drinking Goals
Find out how much alcohol you are drinking each week and establish a goal to reduce your drinking. You don’t have to drink every day if you are drinking.
Try only drinking on weekends or just one day a week.
While it may seem difficult to quit drinking immediately, setting a short-term goal will help you reach your long-term goal of quitting alcohol completely.
2. Do not attempt to do it on your own
If you are serious about quitting alcohol, it is important to have the support of your loved ones and friends.
Tell a few people that you are trying to quit drinking alcohol so you can occasionally and openly discuss it, and lean on them when needed.
You may also consider joining a support group or talking to a therapist if you feel you need more support.
3. Keep alcohol out of your home
It is much easier to quit drinking when you don’t have any alcohol around.
When you have a bottle of wine, bourbon, or other alcohol in your home, it is easy to reach for it. It’s amazing how out of sight can work wonders.
4. Keep busy
Many people drink alcohol when they want to relax after a hard day at work. You can forget alcohol by engaging in hobbies or other activities.
You can sign up for an online class, go on a walk, take a dance class or go out for a meal.
These are great alternatives to alcohol that will keep you away from its ravages.
5. Plan What to Say
People will likely ask you why you don’t drink if you’re in a social situation where alcohol is present. You can plan what you will say before you go so that you don’t get peer pressured into drinking.
You can learn to say no politely and avoid people who pressure you to drink.
6. Avoid Triggers
Some things can make us want to drink. For example, going out with colleagues for post-work drinks on Friday night.
You can try to get rid of certain aspects of your routine that make you want to drink. Instead, fill your time with other activities or people who don’t like drinking.
You can try a new workout, a date with your partner, or a movie night with your friends.
7. Get distracted
If you feel the need to drink, find something to distract you. Talk to a friend, go for a walk, listen to a podcast, or call a friend.
You can beat your cravings by substituting another activity for it.
8. Discover a new favorite non-alcoholic drink
You can still enjoy life by replacing your evening glass of wine with a nonalcoholic beverage. Non-alcoholic wine, beer, and mocktails are all options.
You can also replace your alcoholic beverage with sparkling water or apple cider vinegar.
Conclusion
It is not easy to quit drinking. These tips and tricks will help you curb your cravings and make them easier.