Soberly Curious – How To Embrace Mindful Drinking

Drinking is deeply embedded within Australian culture, but more and more people are being more mindful as to how we approach alcohol.

Mindful drinking is the practice of being present and mindful while consuming alcohol. This means being aware of why you are drinking, how much you are drinking, and how alcohol is affecting you physically and emotionally. It also involves making conscious choices about when and how much to drink.

Mindful drinking can help you to drink less overall and to avoid or limit the negative consequences of excessive drinking, such as hangovers, blackouts, and unhealthy behaviours. Furthermore, mindful drinking can improve your overall relationship with alcohol and help you to appreciate its flavour and effects in a more positive way.

If you are interested in trying mindful drinking, there are a few things you can do to get started.

First, make sure that you have a clear intention for why you want to drink mindfully. It is important to understand the reason you want to drink before you get started. Are you doing it socially, drinking because you like the taste, or just drinking to get drunk? It is important to be drinking for the right reasons, and not for reasons that can harm your body.  

Take some time to learn about the different types of alcohol and their effects on the body. It is well-known that alcohol has long-term effects, so it is important to know what the risks are of excessive drinking. Short-term effects like hangovers, lowered inhibitions and changes in behaviour are quite dangerous to both yourself and others around you. More serious, long-term effects of drinking excess alcohol include diabetes, liver diseases, long-term cognitive impairment, and a variety of cancers. If you want to know more about the ways alcohol impacts the body, check out this informative article by Better Health Channel.

Finally, practice moderation when drinking and pay attention to how your body feels as you drink. Be aware of how you are feeling as you consume each drink and know what your limits are before you drink too much. It can be easy to tip the scales and drink too much, but being aware of how much you are consuming is a great first step to mindful drinking.

With the rise of mindful drinking, an increase of low-to-no alcoholic beverages have come into the market. This makes conscious drinking more accessible to the everyday person and lowers the stigma that can be associated with limiting alcohol consumption. Look in your local supermarket for a non-alcoholic version of your favourite drinks the next time you go out.

If done correctly, mindful drinking can be a helpful tool for reducing harm associated with alcohol consumption, and can allow you to have a healthier relationship with alcohol. Make a positive change, and be aware of your drinking habits today.

By Sarah Panther