How to call time on wine o’clock
Giving up or cutting back on booze will boost your mood, your health and your bank balance, says HANNAH BRITT
AS A NATION, we’re known for our love of a tipple. From pints in the pub to wine o’clock, it seems there’s always an excuse for a drink.
However, our national pastime has a serious downside, with alcohol consumption linked to everything from depression and obesity to cancer and dementia.
Just last week a new report revealed that baby boomers are set to overtake young people as Britain’s problem drinkers.
According to NHS Digital, the number of people aged 50 and above admitted to hospital with alcohol-related mental health disorders has risen by 21 per cent in the past five years.
Thankfully, cutting back or quitting is easier than you might think, thanks to our expert guide.
FEELGOOD FESTIVAL
Festivals are usually associated with booze-drenched hedonism.
However, the rise of the wellness festival means you can now party your socks off without waking up to a massive hangover.
Bands and DJs are mixed with yoga sessions, workout classes and meditation, meaning you recharge your batteries naturally.
The benefits are endless, says Amber Lort-Phillips, co-founder of The Big Retreat Wales (thebigretreatwales.co.uk)
“You’ll leave a wellbeing festival feeling better than when you arrived, and get back to work full of energy and positivity,” she explains.
“What’s more, you won’t have that sinking feeling when you wake up and remember the bar bill from the night before.”
KEEP IT FRESH
Do you ever fancy a glass of wine, open a bottle and end up finishing it, thinking that otherwise it’ll go off? This means you can end up drinking much more than you intended.
The Coravin Model One Wine System, £199 (coravin.co.uk), means one glass really can mean just one.
The high tech gadget pierces the cork with a fine needle and allows users to pour themselves a glass without removing the cork, keeping the wine fresh.
SOFT ISN’T BORING
Alcohol-free drinks have a reputation for being boring. However, the latest booze-free tipples are designed to mimic your favourite drink without any alcohol.
Fancy a refreshing cocktail? Try Everleaf Non-Alcoholic Bittersweet Aperitif, £18 (sainsburys.co.uk), which tastes great with soda and a slice of orange.
Or if beer is your thing, Infinite Session alcohol-free IPA, £4.74 for four (sainsburys.co. uk), is a full-bodied beverage that tastes like the real deal.
FIND YOUR TRIBE
When people stop drinking, they fear they’ll never have fun again and will lose their social life. However, finding sober friends can be a big help, says sober coach Kate Baily.
“Being part of a sober community can help you set goals, cheer you along and give you support.
“It helps to be accountable and buddy up with someone. If your friends aren’t interested, an online community is a great place to make friends with people who understand why you want to quit.”
Find out about courses and coaching at lovesober.com.
GET MOVING
Wine cravings are often triggered by feelings such as stress or boredom and alcohol is a quick fix, helping us to relax and change how we feel.
However, exercise can do this just as efficiently by providing a natural endorphin boost.
“Alcohol works on all the brain’s neurotransmitters including dopamine, serotonin and GABA, so people often crave a drink if they are feeling low or stressed,” says Kate.
“If you are anxious, a GABA-boosting exercise such as yoga will calm the nervous system.
“And if you are feeling blue, you need the serotonin boost you’ll get from a good cardio workout, such as going for a jog.”
MONEY MATTERS
Over a month, save the money you’d spend on drink in a pot and see how much you save.
“Up-to-date advice says men and women who drink regularly should consume no more than 14 units a week – equivalent to six pints of beer or seven glasses of wine,” says Laurie McAllister of alcohol-free blog girlandtonic.co.uk.
“Work out how much you spend each week and multiply that by four. Then think about what you could buy with it instead.”
THE MORNING AFTER
Do you dread the morning after? When you’re alcohol-free it’s something to look forward to.
“Book a fun event for the morning after a big but sober night out,” says Laurie. “Preferably something that would be rubbish with a hangover, to steer you away from the temptation to drink.
“You will rejoice the next morning. When all your friends are suffering, you’ll be on your way to brunch, a dog walk with friends or your favourite coffee shop.”
SWITCH UP HABITS
Think about changing habits by starting the night with a soft drink.
“At the start of a night out or a date, you may be nervous and excited, so will finish your first alcoholic drink quickly,” says sober coach Stephanie Chivers (ichange21.com).
“You’ll then want another one. If you can learn to relax into your evening without the aid of alcohol, you delay when you start drinking, helping you to consume less.”
WRITE A LIST
Write down 10 reasons why you will feel better without alcohol or how you will benefit from alcoholfree days.
“Will you feel slimmer, fitter, healthier, wealthier or more focused at work?” says hypnotherapist Ailsa Frank (ailsafrank.com). “Reading the list every day will encourage you to reduce how much you drink.”
While making your list, visualise yourself without alcohol.
“See yourself taking off your make-up, brushing your teeth and getting into bed completely sober. This will create a positive vision in your mind that will support your sober choices,” she adds.
DRINK MINDFULLY
Bringing awareness to the act of drinking can make us drink less.
“Practising mindfulness while enjoying a drink invites us to be present, aware of the taste, smell, and sensation associated with drinking. It also slows you down,” says Dr Megan Jones Bell, chief science officer at Headspace (headspace.com).
“Before you take a sip, take a breath and check in with yourself. If you find picking up a glass is an automatic habit, try alternating wine with soda water.”