As we celebrate the beginning of a new year, many of us choose to partake in the age-old tradition of celebrating with a glass (or two) of alcohol. Many of us may then take the opportunity to reset and refocus our goals for the new year. Part of this often includes reducing the intake of alcohol temporarily. While it’s important to enjoy yourself and relax, it’s equally important to stay mindful of your drinking habits this month. Let’s discuss how you can drink responsibly in January.
Set Limits Ahead of Time
The easiest way to ensure that you are drinking responsibly is by setting limits ahead of time. This could mean setting a limit on days when you will drink, such as not drinking on weekdays, or limiting yourself to no more than 3 drinks per day. Setting these guidelines beforehand will help prevent you from overindulging in the moment when faced with peer pressure or a vibrant atmosphere.
Maintain Healthy Alternatives
It’s important to have other activities available that do not involve alcohol in order to maintain your boundaries and keep yourself accountable. This could mean planning non-alcoholic outings with friends or engaging in sober activities such as going for a walk or cooking together instead of meeting at the bar. Additionally, make sure there are plenty of food options available so that you can stay hydrated and balanced throughout the night if you do decide to drink.
Eat Before You Go Out
You may think that eating before going out will ruin the fun but in actuality, it can help save you from becoming too tipsy. Eating food before consuming alcohol helps slow down its absorption into your system so that you don’t become overly intoxicated too quickly. Snacking throughout the night can also help keep your stomach full which will reduce the urge to consume large amounts of alcohol in one sitting.
Set Reminders
If you’re worried about overdoing it on alcohol, set reminders on your phone or find someone who can check up on you throughout the night and make sure that you don’t have too much to drink. Setting reminders ahead of time can also help prevent any unwanted hangovers the next morning by letting you know when it’s time for bed!
Enlist Support from Others
If moderation feels like an impossible task this month, consider enlisting support from your family and friends who can help hold you accountable and serve as reminders when needed. Having someone who knows your intentions and expectations can make staying within healthy limits easier by providing encouragement along the way without judgement or criticism.
Drinking responsibly during January celebrations does not have to mean forfeiting all fun; rather it’s finding ways to enjoy yourself while still staying within healthy boundaries. By setting limits ahead of time, maintaining alternatives, and having support systems in place, moderate drinkers can still partake in festivities without compromising their health or safety this month. Cheers!
