Wondering how to cut back on drinking alcohol? Are you planning to reduce drinking alcohol on your own? Read on to know the benefits of cutting down on alcohol.
We have entered into a new year. This means that in the past few weeks, we have all been thinking of new resolutions and ways to better ourselves in 2019. A very popular and healthy resolution is to cut back on or eliminate alcohol consumption. This is also one of the hardest resolutions for people to follow through on.
Some of us are drinking because of stress or just for the sake of thrills, but regardless of the reason, it is going to be hard to stop. However, stopping the consumption of alcohol may be one of the best resolutions for you if you’ve wanted to cut down.
Why quit drinking alcohol, you ask? Well, for starters, you’ll save money. It doesn’t matter if you buy alcohol for your home or if you buy it at a var, those dollars add up.
Another huge benefit and possibly the most important to quitting or cutting back is your health. Alcohol has a heavy, negative impact on your liver and your brain.
It also weakens the muscles in your heart. Nobody wants that, right? So if a healthier lifestyle is another resolution of yours, not drinking may be a big help.
So, if it’s so hard, how do you cut back? Well, keep reading and I will help you learn how you can have a dry January.
How To Cut Back On Drinking Alcohol?
1. Watch sports at home
Something about going to the bar with your buddies can be a huge influence on drinking. I mean think about it for a second, who else aside from you will be attracted to a bar?
It is most likely going to be the guys who are loud and yelling at the screen and making it seem as if getting hammered is a whole lot more fun than remaining sober. When you’re at home, you’re less tempted and can easily find another beverage in your fridge to appease you.
Socially drinking is a dangerous thing and is a big part of why some people fail at this particular resolution.
2. Write down a drinking goal
A great way to keep a goal is to write it down. This is a great method of cutting down on alcohol and enjoying the benefits. Write down how much you want to cut down on drinking. You could be even more specific and write down how many drinks you think you should allow yourself to have within the month or even the week.
Then you can choose what specific days out of the week are the best days to allow yourself something to drink. I would suggest you set realistic goals and cut down little by little each week or each month. While trying to quit cold turkey works for some people, most people need to take time and ease their way into quitting.
Don’t try and force yourself just to stop cold turkey if you know you can’t handle it. It’s like setting yourself up to fail.
3. Pace yourself while drinking
One thing that helps drinkers who tend to drink a little too much is to slow down while you’re drinking and pace yourself.
You consume more when you’re rushing. So, take sips of your drink instead of chugging it down. Doing that will make it to where you end up drinking significantly less.
4. Do not drink as a comfort
If you are upset or depressed, the LAST thing you need to be doing is reaching for the alcohol cabinet. Drinking because you’re sad or upset is dangerous. Doing things like this makes alcohol a crutch and that is one thing you don’t want because that can be a primary cause of alcoholism.
If you’re down and want a drink, try alternative methods of distressing like going for a walk, being around loved ones, or even indulging in your favorite junk food once or twice would probably be a better alternative.
5. Drink lots of water
Alcohol is not meant to quench your thirst. So, when you’re thirsty and want some alcohol, drink some water. A study states that drinking water can help to combat alcohol cravings and cut back on drinking.
A nice glass of cold (or lukewarm if that’s what you prefer) water will keep that thirst quench and so even if you do drink some alcohol; you won’t drink nearly as much as you would have before.
6. Keep track of your drinking habits
This tip is helpful for a couple of reasons. One reason is that it keeps you accountable for sticking to these goals.
The second reason is that it may surprise you or motivate you to stop drinking when you go back and look at just how much you’re drinking and, more importantly, how much money you spend on drinking. As I said earlier, drinking alcohol can e a pocket drowner. er.
7. Know and remember your why
People who say they are going to cut back on drinking just because it sounds good are not likely to stick to that goal.
You need to have a reason and know exactly why it is that you want to cut back. Is it to better your relationship with your spouse or loved ones? Or is it to improve your health? Is it to save money? Try to focus on the benefits of cutting down on alcohol.
Know your purpose and keep it in mind. It might even benefit you to write it down and place it where you can see it in front of you every day. Create a vision board reminding you why this is important for you to do this year or in this season of your life. This will help you to reduce drinking alcohol on your own.
The journey to less drinking won’t be easy, and you’ll need your why to hold onto when temptation strikes.
Concluding thoughts,
To quit drinking it does take a lot of discipline.
It takes a lot of discipline to quit any addiction or habit that you may have. However, it is worth it. Also, it is an investment in your health. It is a step towards better relationships with your family.
It is a step toward a life of freedom where you don’t have to worry about or feel guilty for drinking too much again or waking up with another hangover on Monday morning.
Key Takeaways
- Alcohol consumption and addiction is not only harmful for your own health but also for the wellbeing of your loved ones.
- There are various ways you can reduce drinking alcohol on your own.
- Cutting down on alcohol consumption has a lot of benefits.
- You can always start by keeping a track of your drinking using a mobile app or a diary.
- Make sure you drink lots of water as it can help to reduce alcohol cravings as well as cut back on drinking.
- Use techniques other than alcoholism to combat your emotions.
- Lastly, if you are planning to quit, keep a goal in mind. Keep reminding yourself for whom you are doing it.
Why is it that you are wanting to cut back on drinking? If you’re someone that already has stopped drinking, what tips work for you? Comment down below!
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