Strategies for enjoying parties when you're not drinking
As part of the wellness movement, people are challenging themselves to cut back or ditch alcohol completely.
But with holidays, bachelorette parties, weddings, concerts, and other exciting events on the horizon, as well as fine weather, the temptation to sit back with a beer or glass of rosé is everywhere.
Yet, Sandra Parker of Just The Tonic Coaching (justthetoniccoaching.com), is adamant it is possible to enjoy this time of year sober, and in fact, have even more fun without a drink in hand.
Stock up on fun drinks
Rather than opting to sip on plain water or juice, look for some of the new products hitting supermarket shelves.
"If you are going to a picnic/barbeque, stock up in advance with your favourite alcohol-free drinks," she advised. "There are some amazing choices now from alcohol-free beer and sparkling wine, so have fun and experiment to find what you enjoy!"
Be prepared
Tell your host in advance that you are drinking less or having a break from alcohol.
"You don't have to explain your full warts and all drinking backstory, you can simply say you are on a post-lockdown health kick or having a break to improve your sleep," said Sandra.
Stay positive
Every time you find yourself thinking the event will be less fun with less/no alcohol, flip it around and ask yourself how it could be better because you are drinking less.
"For example, it may be about being able to enjoy the whole evening rather than crashing after the first hour. This switches your focus from being deprived to being resourceful and feels more empowering," the expert noted.
Get your weekends back
Rather than spending the vast majority of the weekend battling a hangover, think of all you can achieve on your days off of work.
"Think about things you can only do if you are not drinking, such as playing sport in the park, getting up early to enjoy a stroll along the beach, and making the most of the whole weekend when the weather is great, rather than having to write off a Saturday or Sunday because you are hungover from the night before," she commented.
Seek expert advice
If you are really feeling stuck in a rut, don't hesitate to reach out to a professional for their recommendations on ditching booze.
"If you find yourself struggling to enjoy life without alcohol, you can turn this around by seeking expert help," Sandra added.
