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For better or worse, drinking is practically a cornerstone of our society. We associate drinking with socializing and having fun, which has led to an overall increase in how much we drink, and how frequently. We’ve had a reckoning long time coming regarding our relationship with drinking.
And it’s in that space that mindful drinking was born. If you are interested in having a healthier relationship with your drinking, without giving it up altogether, then read on.
In this article, we’ll talk about what it means to be a mindful drinker, its benefits, and a few tips to get you started on your path to mindful drinking.
What is Mindful Drinking?
A cultural counter-movement to our binge drinking habits, mindful drinking was born as a movement that sought to find a middle ground between excessive drinking and strict restriction. As a society, we tend to be rather binary about things. Either we drink a lot or nothing at all.
But mindful drinking is not about quitting alcohol, but rather about drinking responsibly and with awareness of how it affects you. The idea is that you don’t drink recklessly.
When you apply mindful drinking, you can minimize the negative effects that come with drinking alcohol, and even improve your enjoyment of it.
According to a study made in 2019 by Nielsen IQ, 47% of all adults in the states are trying to reduce their alcohol consumption, but not necessarily quit altogether. When you look only at millennials, that number rose to 66%.
People want to enjoy drinking while maintaining a healthy lifestyle.
Mindful drinking allows you to do that by encouraging you to track and manage your drinking, just like you would other aspects of your health. It’s about enjoying your drinks without letting them overpower you.
What Are the Benefits of Mindful Drinking?
Mindful drinking has a lot of benefits to your health, both physically and mentally. Some of these include:
- A healthier liver: When you go out drinking, your liver takes the brunt of it. Heavy alcohol consumption causes your liver to build up fat, which leads to different diseases such as alcoholic hepatitis. So, if you moderate your drinking your liver will last longer.
- Lower blood pressure: Drinking a lot affects your blood pressure. Having 3 to 4 drinks per day is linked with higher blood pressure. If you cut back on how much you drink, you can reduce your systolic and diastolic pressure.
- An Easier time managing your weight: If you drink a lot, you might notice it’s more difficult to keep your weight in check. That’s because there can be a surprising number of calories in drinks. Did you know a piña colada has over 500 calories? Crazy. Being more mindful about what you drink, and how much, can help you keep your weight in check.
- Better sleep quality and reduced anxiety: When you drink a lot, it messes with your sleep cycles. That’s why you wake up feeling tired and groggy after a night of drinking. Lowering your alcohol consumption will do a lot to improve the quality of your sleep. This, in turn, will help reduce your anxiety and stress levels. Drinking can cause hormonal imbalances that lead to higher levels of anxiety.
- Increased focus: If you drink less, you’ll start to notice that you have more mental energy and an easier time focusing. It’s very common to hear people say they feel more mental clarity when they drink less. This will be a great way to boost your motivation and cognition.
How Can I Start Drinking Mindfully?
If you are interested in changing up your drinking habits and practicing mindful drinking, check out these tips courtesy of Sunnyside:
Plan ahead
One of the most important parts of mindful drinking is being proactive about it. You need to have a plan before you engage in situations that will involve drinking. This could mean having a drink limit for the day, the week, or even the month.
You can also check out the places you’ll go to beforehand to see if they have other options on the menu for you.
But no matter what, you need to stick to your plan. People might push you about it, so it’s important to be mentally prepared for that.
Alternate drinks with water, food, or both
A great way to limit your drinking in a healthy manner is by having a glass of water in between drinks. Not only will this help keep you hydrated, lowering the chances of a hangover, but it will also reduce how much you drink overall.
Another great alternative is using food to create breaks in your drinking. Have some snacks, order dessert, or eat an appetizer. An empty stomach is a bad partner for drinking.
Take it slow and enjoy the moment
A lot of the time when we drink, we just gulp down our glass. However, that’s a terrible waste of a drink. Cocktails are delicious, beers are refreshing, and wine is an experience for the senses. Savor your drink, don’t rush the moment. And if you don’t enjoy the taste of what you are drinking then you are drinking the wrong thing.
But savoring the moment is more than just about the drink, it’s about enjoying the time with the people you are with. Don’t focus on the drinking, focus on your friends.
Start small
If you want to cut back on your drinking, you’ll have a greater chance of success if you start with smaller steps. Order the same drinks but with half shots of alcohol. Or order one less drink than you normally would. Remember, it’s about pacing yourself.
Final Thoughts
There’s nothing wrong with drinking, but we have to know where to draw the line. It’s not necessarily about stopping your drinking entirely. It’s about being more aware of what you do and why. If you practice mindful drinking, you’ll find yourself with a healthier outlook and body, plus it can even lead you to enjoy your drinks more by savoring the moment.
