You don’t need alcohol to have fun. This is absolutely true, of course, and a statement we always hear. However, this statement can also dismiss just how baked-in alcohol is in many societies worldwide – especially in the UK. Go to a football game, meet a friend at the pub, or simply head to a special event, and booze will be around you.
This can be a tough ask, then, especially for someone hoping to limit their intake. When all your friends are indulging, it can be tough to say “no.” A better way, then, is to focus on healthier alternatives and to curate a life where your exposure is limited.
If you’re hoping to make the lifestyle adjustment necessary to limit your booze-y intake, then you might find some success in the following tips:
Opt For Non-Alcoholic Treats
Just because you wish to reduce or cut out your alcohol intake, it doesn’t mean you only ever have to drink water again. Alcohol free drinks with beautiful flavor profiles (but those that scratch the same itch), tasty soothing teas such as matches, and even making your own fruit squashes or smoothies can be a nice alternative. This way, socializing with your friends in your garden during the summer, or enjoying some time in a beer garden doesn’t have to be punctuated by drinking – you can still feel refreshed and energized with a healthier choice.
Get Involved In A Craft
Getting involved in crafts can flip your perspective on how you can enjoy fun. Hobbies, like joining a photography or hiking club, learning to salsa dance with your partner, or even joining something nerdy like a D&D club (you’d be surprised how mainstream this has become), helps you enjoy new surroundings without feeling attached or limited to the bar. Sometimes, that kind of carefree fun and productivity can completely erode your desire to drink.
Get Your Endorphins Elsewhere
Most people are aware of the heightened sense of energy and enjoyment we get when first drinking, but this can quickly devolve into tiredness, feelings of carelessness, and lowered inhibitions. In other words, you’re just borrowing happiness from tomorrow. But what if you could feel that without paying a price? By exercising, flexing your creative efforts (such as by painting or textile crafts), and working on your personal projects, you feel all of that positive emotion and then live healthily and focused afterwards. Pushing yourself in a direction like this can feel tremendously exciting, so don’t discount the forward progress.
Maximize Your Free Time
Even those who don’t mind drinking at all would agree that it can make the following day tiresome and tired. This in itself can be demotivating, and rob you of your weekends outside of work. It can be worth making sure you have something going on each weekend so a lost day really does feel like a loss, and not just a relaxed recovery process in bed. When you start using your free time, you feel refreshed from work when you go back on a Monday, instead of constantly trying to regain your health. Trying it for a few weekends can help you see the difference.
So, how best do you use your free time? Do fun things that relax you and get your body enough rest. You can take the family out to the park or enjoy some fun time with the little ones at a public playground. Better still, consider renovating your home to make it a haven for relaxation and fun. For example, if you have enough backyard space, consider installing fun equipment like a playground flying fox where you and your little ones can enjoy quality outdoor time. Your body will feel refreshed and revived before the next working day.
With this advice, we’re sure you can choose to flip your perspective about your alcohol intake, but of course, only if you really wish to and feel like it could be a good addition to your life. Those who don’t have a problem with drinking, or only do so socially, have no pressing need to change and shouldn’t feel bad about having fun!
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