A recent report revealed that, this year, over a third of Brits (35%) had chosen to cut down on their alcohol consumption, with nearly half (46%) citing that they were doing so for health reasons.
Sober curiosity and mindful drinking have become undoubtedly popular over the last few years, most notably through the power of social media, with many engaging in trends such as the ‘damp-lifestyle’.
The latest trend to surface is known as ‘the half-and-half-method’ – where people alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks.
“Unsurprisingly, we are seeing more and more trends around mindful drinking, as adults continue to embrace a more positive approach to alcohol consumption,” Martin Preston, Founder and Chief Executive at Private Rehab Clinic Delamere, says.
Sharing his in-depth insight into the new ‘half and half’ trend, Martin Preston commented:
For some, when it comes to managing alcohol consumption, giving up drinking alcohol altogether feels a little too extreme, so they opt for mindful drinking instead – where a person is more consciously aware of how much they are consuming.
The ‘half-and-half’ method, which is unsurprisingly being led by the younger generation, isn’t about giving up alcohol altogether, but instead interspersing alcoholic drinks with non-alcoholic alternatives or water at social events.
Not only does this stop you from consuming too much alcohol all at once, but allows you to minimise dehydration. Alcohol makes the body extremely dehydrated, lowering your immune system and energy levels the next day. So, drinking glasses of water in between drinks will help keep hydration levels up and also quench your thirst, which will stop you from sipping your alcoholic drink too quickly, and leave you feeling more refreshed the next day.
Ultimately, the ‘half-and-half’ trend is about having self-control, a moderation mindset and not allowing yourself to be influenced by those around you to drink more than you feel comfortable with.
However, this method should only be used by those who are looking to cut back on how much alcohol they consume, and not those who struggle with alcohol dependency. Trying to detox using trends like this can be extremely dangerous to those that suffer problems surrounding alcohol consumption. Instead, they would need professional intervention in order to abstain from alcohol safely.
What are the benefits of practising mindful drinking trends like the ‘half-and-‘half’ method?
1.Sleep patterns improve
Alcohol is often used as a sleeping aid to help you drift off, but despite helping to relax you, drinking in excess can affect the quality and pattern of your sleep due to headaches, dehydration and the increased need to urinate.
When you give up or reduce your alcohol intake, you will often find that your quality of sleep will be better, without frequent interruptions. This, in turn, will mean you have more energy to spend on other activities, instead of waking up feeling groggy after heavy drinking the night before.
2. Blood pressure reduces to healthier levels
Drinking in excess for a prolonged period of time can raise your blood pressure to unhealthy levels, which could lead to more complicated health problems down the line.
Cutting down or abstaining from alcohol for good will help lower your blood pressure to a much healthier level. It could even help reduce the risk of other health issues that are associated with high blood pressure and alcohol consumption, such as strokes, heart disease and chronic kidney disease.
3. Reduced levels of anxiety and depression
Alcohol is a rather deceptive depressant; while you may feel relaxed or excited during the time of consumption, alcohol actually has a significant impact on mental health.
Drinking alcohol, particularly heavy consumption, interferes with chemicals in the brain that maintain good mental health, meaning that after drinking, you may experience feelings of depression and anxiety, sometimes referred to as “beer fear” or “hang-xiety”.
By embracing the ‘damp lifestyle’ trend, on the occasions you choose not to drink, levels of alcohol will no longer affect the balance of chemicals in your brain, meaning mental health can improve.
4. You may lose weight
One major issue that comes with drinking alcohol is the number of calories it contains. Drinks such as beer and wine are particularly calorific, meaning that you are more likely to gain weight by drinking them too regularly.
By reducing the amount of alcohol you drink, or becoming fully sober, you may find you begin to lose weight, inevitably leading to added health benefits such as the reduction of high blood pressure.
5. Healthier-looking skin
A minor benefit to cutting your alcohol intake is the look of your skin. Alcohol causes your body to become dehydrated more quickly, which can lead to dry and scaly skin when drunk in excess. Not only that, but the consumption of sugary drinks like cocktails can also lead to outbreaks, due to increased hormone levels.
Those who embark on their sober curious journey might notice spots or dry skin patches start to clear up when they don’t drink alcohol.
6. You’ll feel generally better
Drinking in excess can often lead to feeling groggy, lethargic and generally unwell the next day, because it interferes with the day-to-day functioning of the body.
During the periods that you choose not to drink, whether it’s occasionally or for good, you may find that you have more energy to do things that you normally wouldn’t, like being more active or spending more time out of the house with friends.
If you find yourself craving an alcoholic beverage during your sobriety, perhaps opt for a soft drink or non-alcoholic version – you are guaranteed to feel better having slept well and waking up with no hangover.
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A version of this post was previously published on delamere.com.
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