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Had a dry slip-up in January with one drink? Here’s how to get back on track
Despite having a firm and clear goal, there may be times when you fall short of your Dry January resolution and face some setbacks along the way. According to experts, if you’re on the path to reducing drinking, there are some steps you can take to help you get back on track after a mistake. Quitting alcohol is not only good for your physical health but also regulates your mental health by reducing symptoms of depression and anxiety. Read on to know more.
If you’ve slipped up with a drink or two, you don’t have to worry because it’s not the end of your trip.
Most people start off their New Year by focusing on abstinence and participating in the much-publicized Dry January, where you have the option to give up alcohol for an entire month.
However, if you’ve made a mistake with a drink or two, you don’t have to worry. According to experts, this is not the end of your journey. Although it is common for most people to resolve to give up alcohol at the beginning of the year, mistakes are also being made in this.
Some ways you can get back on track include:
Restart with a clear goal
It’s easy to slip up sometimes; However, the doctor may think that a mistake was made because your goal was too vague. If you can’t see the big picture of the progress you’re making, simply saying ‘I want to drink less’ can make a mistake more discouraging.
And so, it is better to choose something that is specific and realistic to you, that will give you the best chance of success. For example, several drink-free days each week are a good way to cut back. Follow experts’ guidelines: no more than 14 units of alcohol a week, for three or more days, several days alcohol-free, and no binge drinking.
It’s also a good idea to break your goal into smaller steps.
stock up on non-alcoholic beverages
Make sure you have plenty of non-alcohol beverages in your home and when you go to parties and social gatherings.
Try sparkling water, non-alcoholic beer and the many other options that are available.
Remember the reason you quit drinking
Whether your goal is to reduce your weekly drinking, avoid excessive drinking, or quit altogether, you may be more successful if you have a clear, personal reason for why you want to achieve it.
For example, you may be quitting drinking to help improve your health, lose weight, save money, or improve your relationships. Think about why this matters to you and keep that reason in mind to motivate yourself.
learn from your mistakes
Mistakes happen and everyone suffers from them. However, it is best to learn from them and move on. If you’ve missed a beat, this could be an ideal time to refocus on what you want to achieve, why you want to do it, and plan how you’ll get there.
Health benefits of quitting alcohol
Avoiding alcohol in the short term or reducing alcohol over the long term for challenges like Dry January has great benefits for your health. Although you may feel better immediately, you will:
- regular and uninterrupted sleep
- Better concentration and memory levels
- controlled blood pressure
- better cholesterol levels
- boost mood and Decrease anxiety and depressive symptoms
- reduced risk of cancer
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Health benefits of quitting alcohol
regular and uninterrupted sleep
Decrease anxiety and depressive symptoms
