REDUCING THE RISKS OF ALCOHOL Working in the City can be stressful and some people drink alcohol to help them relax. Long-term drinking can lead to a range of health and social problems including addiction, obesity and relationship problems. Drinking heavily also makes you more vulnerable to crime and there are clear links between alcohol consumption and some types of crime, like violence. Drinking every day will affect your concentration and ability to work. This is likely to make you feel more stressed in the long run.


Alcohol is a depressant and calms certain parts of the brain. So, while alcohol may help you to temporarily forget what is troubling you, it doesn't make your problems go away. There are many alternatives to drinking to help reduce your stress levels:


• Have at least two alcohol-free days a week.


• If you are regularly feeling stressed at work, talk to your manager, he or she has a duty to take reasonable steps to try to resolve the problem.


• Try to exercise every day if possible. Exercise helps to use up the stress hormones that cause your symptoms, giving you a sense of well being and helping your muscles to relax. Even a brisk walk for 30 minutes a day will help combat stress.


• You can still enjoy a drink after work with colleagues or when you get home. Just stick to the guidelines that recommend men don’t regularly exceed more than 3-4 units of alcohol per day and women to stay within 2-3 units per day. A pint of strong beer or a large glass of wine is 3 units.


Get familiar with the alcohol units and calories in the amount you are drinking. You could try the Drinkaware drink tracking tool available at www.drinkaware.co.uk


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