…ABSTINENCE FOR MINDFUL DRINKING?

Similar to the mindful eating trend before it, mindful drinking involves being in the moment when you consume alcohol in order to understand – and perhaps rewire – what’s driving your behaviour. It’s a new concept for people who want to change their drinking habits. The alternative – to quit drinking completely – can force some people into an all-or-nothing struggle.

THE VERDICT: ‘Through mindful drinking you can discover what sort of a relationship you have, or want to have, with alcohol,’ says Angela Calcan from drinkcoach.org.uk. And it’s never too late to change that. TRY: The Drinkcoach app (IOS, Android), which allows you to track your habits for free. Or next time you’re drinking, ask yourself: will this drink add anything extra to the evening? ‘Notice how you feel when you pick up, hold and put down an alcoholic drink, and then do the same with a non-alcoholic drink,’ advises Angela.