Are you drinking more than usual?
This pandemic is an uncertain time and people are naturally worried about their own health and that of their loved ones. Are we all drinking more alcohol during lockdown?
We know that people often turn to alcohol to deal with the stress and anxiety that they are feeling. Home drinking is the new norm in Ireland and as recent images and media stories have shown, many people are stocking up on alcohol in their weekly shop. A recent study by The Journal states that “over half of people surveyed have been drinking more frequently since the onset of the Covid-19 pandemic”
There is a variety of reasons for this
People have more time on their hands to partake in drinking. Some are rewarding themselves for enduring life during a pandemic. Also, as we are social creatures, some people are finding the lockdowns extremely lonely and are feeling the symptoms of depression. They then reach for the alcohol as a coping mechanism.
When we first experienced lockdown, way back in March last year, we were sure it would be a short-term thing-never to be repeated! I spotted the term “we will never get this time again” over and over. We treated it as a holiday of sorts.
We envisaged coming out of lockdown and getting back to normal, but the pandemic did not go away. We still had to work through the worrying exercise of numbers going up and down. Perhaps the drinking is carried on through as a method of relaxing and generally coping. Or perhaps it is a case of boredom and is just something to do.
If you feel you are drinking more than you should now, let’s have a look at how you can reduce this
We all experience times when we feel like giving in and turning back to our old ways. But it’s so important to keep going with our plans for a healthier lifestyle. Remember why we decided to work on this habit in the first time. If the cravings hit and you feel almost overpowered, remember cravings are just your body’s way of nudging you towards what it expects. And if you stay strong and keep going these cravings will all pass over time. It’s just a matter of retraining our bodies expectations. Let’s make our bodies expect some healthier options.
Keep thinking of how much better you will feel if you reject the drink. Will your body and mind feel sharper and more energetic? We all know that fog associated with the morning after alcohol. Let’s reduce those mornings and look forward to waking up brighter and ready for the day.
Enjoy alcohol free beverages
We don’t like to think of ourselves as depriving ourselves -especially in these times. So, let’s explore how we can celebrate and enjoy the non-alcoholic beverage. Have a look in your supermarket for your chilled juices. There are some interesting combinations available nowadays such as Apple and Raspberry or Orange and Mango. You can fancy these drinks up with some ice and even an umbrella if you like a tropical take on your drinks. And the great news is they count towards your five a day. Just be cautions of how many drinks you consume as you do have to count the calories within your daily calorie band.
There are some great alcohol free alternatives also. Heineken have an alcohol-free beer widely available and there are some alcohol free wines and Proseccos out there. These may be a good alternative for you to curb your alcohol intake. Start experimenting and find something that you enjoy.
Keep Going
We all experience times when we feel like giving in and turning back to our old ways. But it’s so important to keep going with our plans for a healthier lifestyle. Remember why we decided to work on this habit in the first time. If the cravings hit and you feel almost overpowered, remember cravings are just your body’s way of nudging you towards what it expects. And if you stay strong and keep going these cravings will all pass over time. It’s just a matter of retraining our bodies expectations. Let’s make our bodies expect some healthier options.