Last week we discussed the benefits of cutting out alcohol, but what’s the best way to do so? There are many reasons why you might want to cut back, whether that be for medical reasons or just as a move towards a healthier lifestyle.
Let people close to you know
Let your family and close friends know that you are aiming to cut down, and let them know why. This way you will be able to share your successes with them, and go to them if you need some support. Hopefully they will understand why you’ve started turning down drinks or trips to the pub.
Frequently reminding yourself and the people close to you why you want to stop drinking can help keep you on track and may even encourage someone else to give up or cut down with you.
Avoid temptation
At the beginning, try to stay away from places you would have normally had a drink. This could mean opting out of the weekly pub quiz for a while, or if you tend to drink when eating out, try going to restaurants that don’t sell alcohol or simply volunteering to drive. Fill the time you would usually be drinking by doing something different, why not fill the gap with a weekly exercise class or a trip to the swimming pool to help you wind down?
Gradually Reduce your Drinking
Cutting down on the amount of alcohol you drink as opposed to giving up completely can also help bring lots of health benefits, and is normally easier to stick to. By doing so you may well create an effective stepping stone to giving up completely in the future.
If you would tend to have a drink every night, start of by having several alcohol free days. Remember it is recommended not to have any more than 14 units a week and to spread these out throughout the week.
Reward Yourself
It’s important to reward yourself with something nice if you are making progress. It’s not easy to make changes to your lifestyle and rewarding yourself might help keep you motivated for the next milestone. It’s equally important not to be too hard on yourself if you slip up every once in a while.
The amount of money you will be saving by not purchasing alcohol will build up, why not use this money to treat yourself every once in a while! Or put it aside to save up for something special – maybe a holiday?
If you are looking to cut back on alcohol, be sure to check out some of the links below to get more help and tips. Good luck!
