31 Days: can you be alcohol free?
Posted by kathryn in Seasonal Health
I feel I’m running the risk of losing half my audience with today’s task in 31 Days to Better Energy – how does having an alcohol free weekend sound?
Why?
While the odd glass of wine does have some health benefits, most people tend to over-indulge. Here in Australia, alcohol is an important part of most social occasions. We meet friends for a drink, share a glass of wine with our partner at the end of the day, and meet family for meals, which invariably include alcohol.
However, even at moderate intakes, alcohol will interfere with sleeping patterns and leave you feeling more tired and sluggish the next day. August and the 31 Days project is all about improving your energy levels, so I had to address alcohol. Simply put, if you have a weekend without alcohol you will feel better and have a clearer head. Plus, you’ll be able to enjoy the weekend, rather than spending it feeling tired and a bit seedy.
Today’s task
Today’s task therefore, is spread over the weekend – and it’s to have an alcohol free weekend. This might feel strange, especially if it’s the first time you’ve tried this. It might even be dificult, but you’ll feel better for it.
- Suggest to friends that you meet for coffee and a movie
- Share a cup of tea at the end of the day with your partner
- If you’re catching up with family, be the designated driver and take along a bottle of mineral water
- Up the pub drink lemon, lime and bitters
Go alcohol free this weekend and take note of how you feel on Saturday and Sunday mornings. If you really can’t go the whole weekend, then try to have one alcohol free night.
This post is part of a series I’m writing over August called 31 Days to Better Energy. For more information and to view the other tasks, take a look at the introductory post.
17 August, 2007
Comments
i don’t know if i can do it this weekend as i’ve got a designated (homemade) pizza and wine night with my partner! :)
i really don’t drink a lot though, and i love my LLBs. i find Sydney to be huuuuge on alcohol, which is not good, but at least i know my limits!
I knew this was coming…but I’m up for the challenge. I don’t think it matters where you come from in Australia, it’s a big problem. Luckily my partner opens a bottle of wine and then sips a tiny glass and forgets about it. Mmmm. Let’s see how I go.
Good luck with this one Kathryn. As far as I am concerned I have no problem at all with this task. I love a drop of red a couple of times a week (especially with home made pizza) but lemon and lime in water works just as well for me.
Have you ever tried pomegranate juice Lindsey clare? It is readily available in most supermarkets. It works well with pizza and is an interesting non-alcoholic substitute.
I do know this is a difficult one for many and I know I’m asking a lot. Alcohol is so much a part of our lives here in Australia, that it’s hard to restrict your intake. If it makes it any easier, remember I’m only asking you to do this for one weekend – it’s not forever. Plus I’m doing it as well.
If you’re serious about wanting to improve your energy, then limiting your alcohol intake is one sure-fire way of doing it. Have a go and see what happens. Even if you only manage one alcohol free day, it’s better than drinking the whole weekend. But take notice of how you feel after that alcohol free night, compared to how you’d feel after a few glasses of wine.
And of course, let me know – no judgement whatsoever, I’m just interested to know how you found the weekend.
Excellent suggestion. Every once in a while I’ll give up alcohol for a week or two just to remind myself that it’s not a necessary part of life.
Wasn’t nearly as hard as I had made myself think it would be. On a roll now…
It’s a good strategy Jul. We can definitely become too reliant on the grog and start using it, eg to relax at the end of the day, or make us more confident when we go out. Taking a rest, breaks those habits though.
Glad to hear the weekend went well Lucy.
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