Health expert’s guide to quit drinking and adopting a healthy living 29^th September 2022

Drinking alcoholic beverages has been a social norm for centuries. But it's time that we rethink our relationship with alcohol. Alcohol may have some short-term benefits, such as reducing social anxiety, insomnia and a decrease in cardiovascular problems. These reasons and the fact that alcohol has become a part of nearly every social activity makes it a drink on many occasions.

However, excessive drinking can lead to serious health problems, including but not limited to liver problems, depression, heart diseases, and certain types of cancers. It is very admirable if you have decided to quit or cut back on your drinking, and this blog aims to guide you on how to do that conveniently with the best tips provided by health experts.

1. Introspection and finding out your triggers:
If you've decided to cut back on the alcohol, maybe you're worried about your cravings when you stop drinking for a day or two. Or perhaps it is about the reasons for which you drink. It is important to find out why you're drinking too much, which might be stress from a relationship, work, or other triggers. When these are identified, you can start avoiding them or try dealing with these problems in a different course of action rather than having a drink.

2. Measure your drinks:
One of the most effective tips that most experts give is to measure each drink and compare it to the official guidelines on how much drinking is safe for adults. This will also estimate how much you're drinking and further solidify your approach to reducing your consumption.

3. Set a drink limit:
Set a fixed drink limit according to official health guidelines and be cognizant of the drinks you take at a time. If possible, involve a friend or a family member to help you stop at the right amount.

4. Have dry days and make fun challenges:
The brain is always up for a challenge. Try having dry days, such as vowing not to take any alcohol Monday through Friday. Or you can have months of abstinence, such as No Drink December or Sober October. Make things a challenge and do it with the people you love to get the maximum benefits.

5. Find a support person / people:
Finding a community is the most crucial step towards a good change. Talk to trusted friends and family members about your decision to abstain, and they will surely help in the process. If this is not ideal, find online support to discover people with similar goals.

6. Keep attractive non-alcoholic options at home:
There's an urge to drink alcohol even if you're probably just thirsty and need water. However, water seems like a boring alternative to alcohol. So, keep fruit juices, sparkling water, or cold drinks in your fridge to avoid going for alcoholic options.

7. Make alcohol non-accessible, and try delaying your first drink:
A 10-minute walk at night to a bar or a liquor shop can be a significant deterrent to getting a drink. Avoid stocking up on alcohol in your house, as you'll likely be tempted to finish it sooner than expected. Request friends and family members to bring their drinks and take them back with them as they leave.
Another approach you can try is delaying the day's first drink to as late as possible. Research suggests that the earlier you start drinking, the more you consume.

Quitting alcohol is an excellent choice for your mind and body. There is no saying what excessive drinking does to your health in the long term. It is heavy on your well-being as well as your pocket. Follow the tips from health experts and take your step toward healthy living. Practice mindful habits like eating a healthy diet and drinking fresh juices, regular exercise for at least 10 mins, and indulge yourself in yoga and meditation.

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