Top tips for going alcohol-free
In recent months, celebrities including Lucy Hale and Bella Hadid have candidly spoken about their decision to ditch alcohol.
Yet, deciding to quit can be tied with a lot of emotions and fears. So, where should you start if you are considering quitting or cutting back on drinking?
Christy Osborne, a leading sobriety coach and founder of Love Life Sober (lovelifesober.co.uk), recommends asking a series of questions about your relationship with alcohol.
"It's essential to stay rooted in curiosity. Is alcohol getting in the way for you? Is it slowing you down? How is it really making you feel? How do you sleep after a glass of wine or two? Do you feel better when you don't drink alcohol? What's the next day like?" she explained. "It's extremely important to leave shame and blame at the door and ask these questions with grace and compassion for yourself, knowing that alcohol is highly addictive."
Christy went on to note that taking a 30-day break from alcohol, under the guidance of a coach or medical professional if necessary, can be a useful experiment for many people.
"You never have to say 'forever.' Make it a temporary challenge to see if you feel better without it. The key here is to deconstruct your beliefs surrounding why you like to drink while feeling better without drinking. You also don't have to aim at perfection or count days. Instead, try to learn what life alcohol-free feels like," the But Jesus Drank Wine & Other Stories That Kept Us Stuck co-host continued.
In the early days of sobriety, it can also be useful to find a support network, whether it be a coach, a traditional 12-step community or an online forum.
Elsewhere, Christy suggested thinking about the health benefits many people experience when they go alcohol-free, such as weight loss, clearer skin, longer and thicker hair, and clear eyes.
"The mental benefits of going alcohol-free include reduced anxiety because of lower cortisol and adrenaline levels and better, sounder sleep. You also have more headspace when you're not thinking about alcohol all the time, which leads to peace and better productivity," she added.
