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Keeping a dry house sets you up for success by taking the temptation out of proximity. Yet, Sandra Parker of Just The Tonic Coaching (justthetoniccoaching.com), is adamant it is possible to enjoy this time of year sober, and in fact, have even more fun without a drink in hand. There’s really no right or wrong way to quit drinking, but these strategies can get you started on a solid path. Mehta also reminds that, for those trying to quit drinking, it’s important to understand if you were drinking to cope with something and to find alternative methods of coping. It doesn’t need to be a scary or intimidating process. Just as you might think to yourself, “maybe I should get more sleep this week,” you can think, “maybe I should check in with myself about my alcohol consumption.” Here’s how to start.

“For example, if someone is normally drinking with dinner every night, maybe cut back to Friday or Saturday night,” Dr. Yang says. But even moderate drinking — 1 drink a day or less for women, 2 for men — has health risks.

The surprising benefits of short-term sobriety

Take a walk, play sports, go out to eat, or catch a movie. When you’re at home, pick up a new hobby or revisit an old one. Painting, board games, playing a musical instrument, woodworking — these and other activities are great alternatives to drinking. Drink soda, water, or juice after having an alcoholic beverage. This of course impacts our mood, but also reduces the microbiome’s ability to detoxify external toxins, and weakens the lining of our gut wall, leading to leaky gut. Some of these times we will remember and others we won’t.

Taking a break at any time gives you a chance to evaluate your relationship with alcohol and allows you to gain an understanding of what is motivating you to drink and how it is impacting your life. The insights gained while taking a break from alcohol can help guide better choices moving forward. The new year is a great time to test a whole range of lifestyle changes. Whether it’s experimenting with a new approach to eating, fine-tuning your workout routine, or finally making meditation a daily practice, you want to get the most direct feedback from your body.

Make plans that don’t center around drinking.

If you’re having difficulty finding support systems as you experiment with quitting drinking or aren’t sure how to make sober friends, Stewart recommends connecting with sober folks on social media. Unfortunately, sometimes those same people can feel judged by your changing relationship with alcohol, which is why it is important to begin by setting boundaries with the people in your life who still drink. Ultimately, this is your life and your https://ecosoberhouse.com/ decision, so “it’s important to consider setting boundaries, honor your recovery goals, and prioritize your needs,” says Ellinwood. With the recent popularization of 30-day challenges like Dry January and Sober October, people are beginning to recognize that there can be benefits to cutting out alcohol for a period of time. But if you’re new to sober curiosity, you may not know where to begin thinking about your relationship with alcohol.

At some point along the way, you might have also taken a break from meat or sugar to rebalance gut health or given up social media and streaming in an effort to give your mind a break. In our alcohol-centric society, it sometimes feels uncomfortable when everyone around you is drinking and your own hands are empty. Choose a healthier alternative like sparkling water, soft drink or a mocktail. It’s also a good way to communicate to your friends your choice to quit drinking, so they can better support you. Having a friend also take up the challenge can make it a little easier. People trying to quit who have social support are more likely to reduce their drinking. When your body breaks down alcohol, your liver has to clear the metabolic byproducts, Dr. Leavey says.

Are there downsides to taking a break from alcohol?

Still, it’s good to know that the protective effects can be both fast-acting and long-lasting. “Some conditions might improve right away after the drinking stops—if they’re triggered by alcohol,” Dr. Genebriera says. It’s hardly a secret that having a few drinks alters the way your brain works.

I know how many rules I made for myself to keep my drinking low and feel healthy, and all those rules were just more chances to let myself down and erode my self-trust. When you consistently Taking a Break From Alcohol do what you set out to do, your self-esteem grows and you start having the faith that anything is possible. Wake up instead feeling nourished and energetic and not tired and cranky?

When is the “right” time for weight loss surgery?

You might feel like you didn’t get enough rest even if you were horizontal for your usual interlude. There’s a chance you won’t face pressure to keep drinking. But it’s still helpful to practice saying “No, thank you” when asked if you want a drink. If someone doesn’t take no for an answer, Irwin suggests asking them a question.

But alcohol can contain a lot of unexpected calories—some drinks more than others. For instance, a beer can have about150 calories, a glass of pinot noir would have about120 calories, and a frozen pina colada can have about245 calories. So, depending on how much you typically drink on a daily basis, cutting that out might simply mean you’re taking in fewer calories. If you answer yes to 2 or more of these questions, you may be dependent on alcohol.