There is about one week left in 2020, and what a week it will be.
Congratulations; you made it!
Hopefully, your plans involve some socially distanced and virtual holiday get-togethers that allow for some good times and celebrations.
For many, celebrating the holidays means hoisting a glass or two and having a drink. That is unlikely to change this year. There are, however, some key differences to pay attention to. How much you drink must be one of them.
This year is different. The pandemic has added a ton of stress to an already stressful time of year. You might be missing your family, friends, or feeling stressed about another issue.
Using alcohol to cope can make things worse in the short and long term.
If stress is weighing you down, look for other ways to cope. Calling friends, getting outside for some activity, watching a film, or doing something else that doesn’t involve drinking is highly recommended.
Being at home certainly increases the ease of drinking. You don’t have to drive to work, meet with friends
, or have much to do with everything closed down.
If you’re drinking out of joy, it’s also important to pay attention to booze consumption. There’s a reason why people drink when partying with friends—it’s fun. But the good virtual times can get carried away.
Regardless of your motivation for drinking this season, here are a few ways you can moderate intake. Your liver, brain, and body will thank you:
- Stick to the one or two glasses recommended daily intake. An extra drink on a special occasion is just fine.
- Avoid binge drinking, classified as more than four (women) or five (men) drinks in a two-hour period.
- Elect beer and wine instead of cocktails or spirits. Serving sizes are easier to control. If having a spirit, measure your serving.
- Use a clear glass. People tend to drink less when they can see how much they’re drinking.
- Look for other things to do. If you’re drinking out of boredom, look for activities like exercise, self-care, etc. that can pull you away from the liquor cabinet.
- Eat before drinking
- Have a glass of water in between drinks
- Drink “mocktails”
2020 has been a doozy, but the end is right around the corner. Take some time to celebrate responsibly and enjoy the season as best you can.