As part of our mission, we have partnered with wellbeing advocate Dr Alex George to share his top tips & tricks on how to approach drinking more mindfully this summer!
1. Drink a glass of water between each drink.
By consciously taking a break between each alcoholic** drink it makes it easier to stop yourself mindlessly drinking. Alcohol is a diuretic, so it causes you to urinate much more than you take in1. This means it’s important to pause, have some water and rehydrate yourself. And how about with Harrogate Spring Water!
2. Opt for alcohol free or reduced alcohol drinks.
In social situations it can feel easier to have your usual drink of choice in either an alcohol-free** or a low alcohol version. This is a great way to reduce your consumption while continuing to ‘drink life in*’. And don’t forget, although alcohol is sometimes thought to reduce social anxiety2, drinking too much can have a negative impact on your health and mental well-being3, so it’s always worth being mindful of how it can affect you.
3. Savour your drink.
Stop and think about what you are drinking, appreciate the flavours and enjoy the moment. Instead of hindering your social life, mindful drinking can give you more energy to explore new activities, means you’ll sleep better and you’ll find it much easier to wake up the next day.
4. Know when to stop.
It’s important to recognise your limits and know when it’s time to stop. Sometimes drinking can feel socially expected, but we all need to remember to ask ourselves whether we really want or need another drink. The habit of ordering one after another is what leads to binging and increases health risks
5. Switch up your social plans.
Going for a drink is not the only way to meet up with friends. You can also come together to celebrate life’s moments by taking time to connect with each other through shared experiences and events.
*A partner of your life moments since 1571
** Please drink responsibly. https://www.drinkaware.co.uk/
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