5 Tips to Help You Cut Back on Alcohol
Cutting back on alcohol is a common goal for many people. This may or may not be for you, but I wanted to share the below tips that have helped my clients.
Here’s my PSA first, though: this is not for you if you have a serious problem with alcohol and is not meant as advice/treatment for addiction. Please reach out to a therapist if you need help with alcohol addiction.
Now that being said, I think a lot of people have relied on an extra bevvy (or 3) to help get through the last few stressful years.
Having a drink here and there is usually not a problem. I myself am partial to a glass of cabernet or craft cocktail (ideally an old fashioned or classic margarita, depending on the vibe).
But “a drink here and there” can turn into a problem if it starts preventing you from reaching your health goals, like:
👉🏻 Feeling sluggish and foggy when you wake up the next morning, so you repeatedly press snooze and skip your AM workouts.
👉🏻 It’s adding on unnecessary nutrient-empty calories when your goal is to lose 10 lbs and fit better in your clothes.
I’m all about sustainable changes that allow you to enjoy life. So by all means, have a drink from time to time if that’s part of your social life and what brings you joy. But don’t make it harder than it needs to be when it comes to improving your habits in order to feel your best.
So if you’re curious about cutting back on alcohol, here are 5 tips to help:
1. Identify the biggest factor that makes you want to drink.
Is it to feel relaxed? Does it help you avoid or escape something? Do you just love the taste of wine? Understanding this is the first step to changing the habit. Then…
2. If you love the taste, try a nonalcoholic wine.
Now I’m not talking Welch’s grape juice here, but actual wine with the alcohol taken out. Try a brand like Surely (I recommend the rosé!).
3. Find another go-to activity that helps you relax.
Something like a bubble bath, skincare routine, or reading in bed with a hot cup of tea. What can you replace the habit with that gives you that same sense of relaxation?
4. Whip up a CBD mocktail.
If the calming effect is what you’re after, then give this a try using a CBD tincture. One of my clients tried this and loves it!
5. Sometimes we want a drink because it marks the end of a long day and we crave something that feels a little more special.
Instead of your usual happy hour drink, try mixing up a creative mocktail, or even a flavored seltzer. We eat & drink with our eyes first, so make it pretty by serving in a wine glass or with some colorful paper straws and mini umbrellas.
If you’re wanting island vacation vibes, try my recipe for a Pina Colada mocktail (just leave out the rum). Cheers!
Let me know in the comments which of these you’re most interested to try.