This is a topic that's often overlooked in the health and wellness world yet it happens. While people meal prep, drink their green smoothies and try to be more mindful, many of them still relax in the evening with half a bottle of wine or even a few puffs of a joint.
It's easy to fall into the trap of needing substances to unwind after a long day. Maybe you've had a stressful time at work, or you're feeling anxious about something in your personal life - alcohol and drugs work fast to wash the day away and bring much-needed feelings of euphoria.
While this isn't a biggie for everyone, for some turning to alcohol or drugs to relax can quickly become a habit, and that habit can be hard to break. For others, it might just be preventing them from cultivating habits that would be more beneficial for them.
In other words, the impact of a walk in nature or ten minutes of meditation would leave the body calmer and much better off the following day than alcohol would when you consider the parting impact it leaves on sleep and vitality after depleting the body of B vitamins and impacting deep restorative slumber.
Signs That Alcohol Is A Problem For You
You need alcohol to relax
You turn straight to alcohol when life gets hard
You crave alcohol
It's always wine o'clock
You believe that you're missing out if you don't drink alcohol
You believe that life is boring if you can't drink
Alcohol is affecting your physical or mental health
Alcohol is messing with your sleep
You or others are worried about how much you drink
People have commented on your drinking
You don't cut down or stop even though you say that you want to
Your drinking is interfering with your relationships or job
While using alcohol might be a completely socially acceptable activity, if you have any digestive issues or hormonal imbalance then you're going to be continuously behind the eight ball when trying to attain wellness. Alcohol consumption is always a hindrance to achieving our health goals whether we have recognised this or want to acknowledge it, or not.
Alcohol is nutritionally dead and uses a wealth of our nutrients to break down and excrete it. It also irritates our gastrointestinal tract, causes inflammation, and impairs our body's ability to absorb nutrients, vitamins and minerals. Furthermore, alcohol creates extensive oxidative damage to our cells. It is interesting to know that despite the general perception that alcohol is somewhat distinct from other drugs, it is in fact one of the most addictive substances consumed throughout the world.
Tips To Break The Habit
Identify the triggers: One of the first steps to breaking any habit is to identify the triggers that lead to it. Do you turn to alcohol or drugs when you're feeling stressed, anxious, or bored? Once you've identified the triggers, you can work on finding healthier ways to cope with them.
Find alternative ways to unwind: Instead of turning to substances to relax, try finding other ways to unwind. Maybe you can take a warm bath, read a book, listen to music, or practice relaxation techniques like deep breathing or meditation.
Create a relaxing bedtime routine: Establishing a relaxing bedtime routine can help signal to your body and mind that it's time to wind down for the night. This could include things like taking a warm shower, sipping a cup of herbal tea, or doing some gentle stretches.
Seek support: Breaking a habit can be challenging, and it's okay to seek support from others. Consider talking to a therapist, confiding in a trusted friend or taking our 30 day Sober Challenge where you'll get daily emails and support from us!
Practice self-care: Sometimes, we turn to alcohol or drugs as a way to escape our problems or emotions. Instead of avoiding them, try practising self-care. This can mean different things to different people, but some examples include journaling, taking a nature walk, singing, dancing, resting, or simply exerting personal boundaries - "No thanks, I'm staying in tonight (just because I want to).
Create a supportive environment: It can be difficult to break a habit if you're constantly surrounded by triggers. Try creating a supportive environment that makes it easier for you to stick to your goals. This could mean removing alcohol or drugs from your home, following sober accounts on IG and finding new hobbies or interests that don't involve substances.
Remember, breaking a habit takes time and effort, but the rewards are worth it. By finding healthier ways to unwind at night, you can improve your sleep quality, boost your overall health and well-being, and cultivate a sense of inner peace and calm.