You might be thinking that I'm talking about the dry weather that we've been having here in central MN so far this winter. It's pretty unheard of that we don't have any snow yet! Buuut, I'm not! I'm actually talking about imbibing in adult beverages.... or actually not imbibing in adult beverages, or perhaps just decreasing the amount. Let me tell you more about where I'm going with this.
It all started when my husband and I visited the quaint little town of Angola, IN. We visited a local sub shop, and while waiting for our take-out order, browsed around the establishment. I happened to stumble upon a free magazine, called "glo" with all things Fort Wayne, IN. I mean who wouldn't be drawn to this magazine, right? While perusing through the pages, I found an article on the "sobriety movement" - "Leave the buzz behind" written by Julie Young. I did not know there was even such a thing, but I knew I had to write about it here on the blog!
Now, I have unwittingly been on this movement for, well, all of my life actually. I'm really not much of a drinker, nor have I ever been one. I have to be honest. There are times I've wanted to just let go and have a "good time".... then.... I finish my 2nd drink, and I'm done! I can't drink a third! Now, I must add that I've typically been a lightweight when it comes to alcohol. I can remember when my husband and I went to the Bird House Bar when I visited him in Alaska (before we were married, so he knew exactly what he was getting into). I was starting to feel a little tipsy after one beverage! Yes, it's true! Of course, he laughed at me and thought I was adorable, as he always does.... or maybe that's did. Haha!! Just kidding. He still thinks I'm adorable!!
So, anyway.... back to this sobriety movement thing. Apparently, the UK started a dry January initiative to improve health. After the Covid years, it took a foothold in the US as the "sober curious" movement, as the article calls it, which, in turn, made me curious. Since alcohol usage increased quite a bit during the lockdowns, the main goal is for individuals to rethink their relationship with alcohol. It's a time to evaluate your alcohol intake and either decrease or eliminate your usage based on what you feel is best for you. It's really not for someone like me, nor for those who have a drinking dependency problem and need more serious help to stop. It's more for those in between who tend to drink moderately. And, they opt to participate in this movement for physical and mental well-being.
The article states that after 30-days with no alcohol, studies have shown health improvements, such as "... greater mental clarity and focus, better and more restful sleep, more energy and stamina, a healthier immune system, and an improved ability to manage weight loss." Now, you can see as a health coach why this piqued my interest! It went on to add that the sober curious also started becoming interested in new activities that didn't involve alcohol - new habits that lead to a healthier lifestyle.
I'd just like to add in a few stats about alcohol here because you always get the argument that red wine is good for you. Yes, but.... carbs and proteins = 4 kcal/g, fats = 9 kcal/g, while alcohol = 7 kcal/g and disrupts the digestion process of carbs and protein. As for red wine, it may serve some positive effects on heart health, but that evidence is really inconclusive as a whole. Besides that, the serving size is one 5 oz glass for women, so just over 1/2 cup, and two for men, just over one cup. The polyphenols that offer health benefits in wine that come from the grape skin, are also found in dark chocolate and cherries.
It seems there are more negative effects of alcohol than positive. For instance, it interferes with the signals to build proteins, which we need to maintain muscle mass, and instead allows for activation of molecules that break down muscle. It also induces insulin resistance, increases cortisol production (the stress hormone), and leads to fat gain (triglyceride formation). This doesn't even touch on the mental health issues associated with alcohol use. That may be a topic for another time.
Last week, I started my Gratitude Journal. There may be some that may want to cut back on their alcohol intake this December, aka "the holiday season" - those who are sober curious and wondering what the holidays may be like with less drinking. They may also be wondering how they go about that. The article had some suggestions for that, too. One that I use with clients is to set a limit. It doesn't mean that you can't have any beverages, but if you would normally drink 6 drinks, cut that in half. Another suggestions is to alternate a drink and a glass of water throughout the evening. Also, ask for support from a family member or friend who will encourage your sobriety efforts and will try some of those new, fun activities with you. Another is to try some "mocktails" that taste much like the real thing but with no alcohol.
As with all health changes, it's not as easy as it sounds. You'll find yourself in some challenging moments, so you have to be prepared. What are you going to say to those who expect you to drink? What are you going to do when you're about to cave? If you don't plan ahead, get yourself in the right mindset, have your support system in place and have multiple strategies to implement in the moment, it's much more difficult to be successful. And, a health coach helps you with all of the above. We can't go to every holiday party with you, but we can chart out a game plan so you can reach your goals. That's what we do!
Since you're already here at www.incourage-health.com, take some time to peruse the site. You may find that working with a health coach isn't intimidating or about judgement or guilt, rather it's about building you up to be the most energetic, confident and adventureous you you've always dreamed about being. If so, contact me, Coach Dani, at incourage@incourage-health.com, and let's talk about next steps.
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