ARE YOU ‘SOBER CURIOUS’?
Forget happy hour and hangovers – try breaking up with booze
As we’re becoming more and more focused on improving our physical and mental health, “sober curious” is the latest wellness movement you’ll be hearing about…
WHAT DOES IT MEAN?
British author Ruby Warrington coined the term in her 2018 memoir, Sober Curious. It sparked people to talk about why they drink, and the benefits of either cutting back or avoiding alcohol all together.
“People are constantly looking for ways to live a much cleaner and fitter lifestyle, and this often starts with moderating alcohol consumption,” says Chloe Mcleod, dietitian and Dry July ambassador.
It’s not like a diet or program with rules and restrictions – it’s about making mindful choices. The movement aims to help people get to where they want to be on the “sobriety spectrum”, whether that’s being totally sober, taking a designated break, or ensuring to consume alcohol in moderation.
WHY DRINK LESS?
The pounding headaches that follow an over-indulgent night of drinking are rarely worth it, and the long-term health consequences, like high blood pressure, liver disease and some cancers, are nothing to toast to.
“Abstaining from alcohol for a set period of time also serves many long-term health benefits,” Chloe explains. Your immune system will be better equipped to protect you from illnesses, and your liver, which removes toxins from your body, will be able to function at its best.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The benefits will be different for everyone, depending on existing drinking habits and what your goals are. Chloe notes that by drinking less you could quickly enjoy improved sleep, a clearer complexion and loss of unwanted weight.
In 2019 a study by the University of Sussex in the UK found that of 800 men and women who abstained from alcohol for one month, 93 per cent felt a sense of achievement. In the same study, 80 per cent felt more in control of their drinking, and 70 per cent reported improved health.
HOW DO I START?
Take note of your current drinking habits and work out a goal you’d like to achieve. It’s a good idea to let trusted friends and family know about your plans so they can support you.
To ease into it, Chloe recommends giving yourself a weekly limit, like no alcohol on weekdays. She also suggests “finding an activity that keeps you busy and steers you away from reaching for a glass of wine.”
There are plenty of online resources and podcasts, too, such as Club Soda, which connects likeminded sobriety-seekers. You can also seek advice from a doctor or join a sobriety program.