Health Alcohol
One month
alcohol free
If you’re not already taking part in Dry January – the annual Alcohol Concern event where people give up alcohol for a month – it’s not too late to join in
For the past six years, Alcohol Concern has been running a month-long campaign called Dry January, where people are encouraged to give up drinking alcohol for 31 days. Last year, a YouGov survey showed that five million British people took part in Dry January 2017, and this year’s event looks set to increase the number of people taking the alcohol-free pledge. It is, after all, an ideal time to give
up drinking – albeit temporarily. Many of us drink a bit more than we should over the festive season, so the thought of a month without a hangover may be particularly appealing. There are many other benefits of not drinking alcohol, including the following:
• You’ll sleep better • You’ll have more energy • You may lose weight
• You’ll have more pounds in your pocket
Dry advice However, giving up completely, even if it’s only for a month, may not be easy, especially if alcohol is a regular part of your life or if you’ve been a heavy drinker in the past. So here are a few practical tips that may help keep you dry for a month (or longer), courtesy of the Drinkaware campaign:
Don’t keep it a secret Make sure your family and friends know you’re trying to take a break from drinking alcohol, as it can stop them offering you drinks you may not be able to resist.
Avoid temptation If you associate certain places with drinking – such as your local pub, restaurants or clubs – give them a wide berth until you get used to being alcohol free. Instead, think about other things you could do, such as going to the theatre or cinema, going for a swim or trying out that roller disco you’ve always wanted to visit.
Give yourself a slap on the back For each week you stay dry, treat yourself to something you wouldn’t ordinarily spend money on (the cash you save by not drinking should more than cover it). Rewarding yourself will help reinforce
the positive aspect of not drinking too. If you tend to use alcohol as a reward – by having a drink after a long day at the office or a busy day looking after the kids, for instance – try to have something else to replace it with, such as a luxurious soak in the bath or 10 minutes of peace and quiet to catch up with a good book.
Need more advice about cutting down on drinking? Have a chat with your local pharmacist (find your nearest Careway pharmacy by using the Pharmacy finder at
www.careway.co.uk).
February and beyond
If you’ve enjoyed all the benefits that come with not drinking during Dry January, why not simply keep going? However if you’re going to return to
alcohol, now’s the ideal time to make sure your drinking stays at a moderate level (current guidelines from the UK Chief Medical Officers state adults should drink no more than 14 units of alcohol a week on a regular basis, and spread their drinking over three or more days if they regularly drink that much). Here are some tips to help you
drink less:
• Set yourself a limit for how much you’re going to drink before you start
• Have at least one soft drink or glass of water with each alcoholic drink
• Instead of drinking pints or large glasses of wine, go for halves or bottles of beer, o ask for wine in a small glass
• Don’t try to keep up with other people or drink in rounds
• Dilute your drinks – try having a spritzer or a shandy
All About health 25
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