Sober Curious: The Benefits of Saying No to Alcohol
Reducing alcohol consumption is a personal journey and can look different for each individual. Being sober and curious does not necessarily eliminate all alcohol from a diet, but it reduces consumption, positively impacting physical and mental health.
Key takeaways:
The Sober Curious Movement is a practice of eliminating or reducing alcohol consumption to help improve mental and physical health.
There are differences between being sober and sober curious. Being sober is the complete elimination of alcohol and drugs due to a conscious choice due to past misuse or religious decisions.
Setting clear goals, tracking your consumption, and avoiding triggers are a few ways you can help lead a sober curious lifestyle.
Being sober and curious offers several mental health, physical health, and socioeconomic benefits, and increase energy and cognitive function.
What is the Sober curious movement?
Sober curious is a lifestyle of limiting or eliminating alcohol from a diet. This movement started around 2010 in the millennial generation as a way to improve mental and physical health. Sober curious is not based on religious practices or motivated by past alcohol abuse; it is simply a lifestyle choice motivated by the curiosity of a sober lifestyle.
Being sober and curious often involves questioning and reevaluating drinking habits, engaging in alcohol-free activities, and seeking alternatives, such as non-alcoholic cocktails, while out with friends. It is characterized by a sense of curiosity, self-reflection, and a desire to make more intentional choices about alcohol.
Being sober vs. sober curious
Several differences between being sober and sober curious help differentiate between the two and help you decide which choice is best for you. The term sober typically refers to abstaining entirely from alcohol or other substances. It implies that a person has consciously decided to refrain from consuming alcohol or drugs completely.
Sober curious refers to a mindset approach where individuals are interested in exploring a life without excess alcohol but not necessarily abstaining from alcohol completely. This choice is generally due to wanting to lead a healthier physical and mental lifestyle or to reassess relationships with alcohol.
Ways to decrease alcohol consumption
If you are considering a sober curious lifestyle and want to cut back or eliminate alcohol from your diet, several practical ways can be implemented into your lifestyle to help.
Set clear goals. Get specific about what you want to achieve and your goals for reducing or eliminating alcohol. For example, you might want to have alcohol-free days throughout the week and limit drinking on the weekends.
Track your consumption. Keep a record of how much you are drinking and how it makes you feel the following day. On days, you decrease or eliminate alcohol, notice if you are more productive or have less anxiety the next day.
Avoid triggers. Notice situations or people who encourage heavy drinking and try to avoid them. This could involve changing the times you go out with friends or decreasing the time spent with certain people or in specific places.
Create an alcohol-free routine. Find activities and hobbies that you like to do that do not involve alcohol. Try evening yoga classes that can benefit your mental health and help you avoid alcohol-involved activities.
Education. Learn about the downside of alcohol and how it negatively impacts your life. When you understand the risks, you are less likely to drink.
Replace alcohol with non-alcoholic alternatives. Several alcohol-free drink choices are on the market, some even available at restaurants and bars. These options can help you feel comfortable in social settings while still allowing you to have fun with friends and family.
Sober lifestyle benefits
Studies have found several positive health benefits for someone who cuts back or eliminates alcohol from their diet. Decreasing alcohol consumption or drinking lighter, lower alcohol content drinks occasionally has shown positive mental and physical health benefits.
Mental health benefits
Alcohol impacts mood, sleep patterns, and mental health. As a result, reducing alcohol intake has been shown to improve mood stability and reduce anxiety and depression. Reducing alcohol helps to improve overall mental well-being by promoting healthier coping mechanisms for stress and lifestyle changes.
Sleep quality is detrimental to our mental health and alcohol has been shown to disrupt sleep patterns and duration. Therefore, reducing alcohol, you may experience improved sleep quality and duration, positively impacting your overall mental health and well-being.
Physical health benefits
Excessive drinking can have adverse effects on your physical health. Reducing alcohol intake has been shown to improve liver function, reduce the risk of liver disease, and decrease the risk of certain types of cancer (such as liver and breast).
Several studies have also found that long-term reduction in alcohol positively impacts blood pressure. This helps reduce your risk of heart disease, heart attack, and stroke and promotes a healthy cardiovascular system.
Another benefit of cutting back on drinking alcohol is weight loss. Alcoholic drinks are generally high in calories and can contribute to weight gain. Cutting back on alcohol can help you maintain a healthier weight and improve body composition.
Socioeconomic benefits
While alcohol is often associated with socialization, cutting back provides opportunities to explore alternatives and help you build a deeper connection with those around you. Alcohol-free events with friends and family help you develop deeper connections and stronger relationships.
Alcohol can also be expensive, especially when going out frequently. Decreasing alcohol significantly helps with financial savings, allowing you to allocate money to other areas of interest or savings.
Energy and productivity
People who are drinking may often experience heavy hangovers, feeling sluggish and not being able to concentrate properly. By cutting back, you can experience increased energy levels, improved focus and productivity at work, and strengthen cognitive functions for activities such as studying or reading.
This positively impacts your life in many areas and allows for a better social and work-life balance.
Managing the challenges of being sober
Being sober can bring various challenges, especially in social situations where alcohol is available. Some common challenges and barriers people experience when trying to stay sober are social pressures, temptation and triggers, and dealing with and managing emotions without alcohol.
It’s essential to seek out people and activities that help you stay on track and reach your personal, sober-curious lifestyle goals.
Some good options to help you stay on track are:
Alcohol-free social circle
Listen to sober-positive podcasts
Read positive stories about being sober or sober curious
Limit alcohol-prevalent interactions
Seek therapy or counseling if needed
Join online social media communities dedicated to a sober-curious lifestyle
Stop following triggering accounts on social media
Remember, reducing alcohol consumption is a personal journey, and being patient and kind to yourself throughout the process is essential. If you find it challenging to make significant changes on your own, consider seeking professional help from a healthcare provider or therapist who can provide personalized guidance.
FAQ
Can you still drink on weekends if you are sober curious?
Yes. Being sober and curious does not mean cutting alcohol entirely from the diet for everyone. Some people may choose a lifestyle where they still have limited alcohol on weekends if they feel it’s appropriate.
Can I still have one drink at an event if I’m sober curious?
Yes. Being sober and curious means allowing yourself to choose how much or how little you drink. If you are sober and curious and would like to have a limited number of drinks in certain social situations, this would still mean you live a sober curious lifestyle.
Should I still go out on the weekend if I am sober curious?
Absolutely. There are several alcohol-free drink options available now at most bars and restaurants, and it can be very healthy for you mentally to go out with friends and experience social events without alcohol. Choosing an alcohol-free beverage can help you feel comfortable and give you a chance to socialize.
Resources:
Substance Abuse and Rehabilitation. Motivation to maintain sobriety among residents of sober living recovery homes.
The Lancet. The effect of a reduction in alcohol consumption on blood pressure: a systematic review and meta-analysis.
