The best ways to relax without alcohol
BLOG BY REBEKAH. C
Here are our best tips
If you’ve always relied on a glass of wine or a bottle of beer to help you unwind after a long week, or a tough day at work, this method of relaxation can quickly turn into a habit. While alcohol in moderation isn’t particularly dangerous, it’s important to keep an eye on your intake.
Using alcohol as your main solution for relaxation could quickly lead to issues of dependence and misuse, which can be a slippery slope to some severe mental and physical health problems. In the UK right now, there are over586,780 dependent drinkers, with only 18% currently receiving treatment.[1]
Even if you don’t have a dependency issue, there are other ways to relax without alcohol which won’t have the same side effects of hangovers, questionable inhibitions, and fatigue.
Here’s your guide to the best ways to relax without alcohol.
Why replace alcohol with something new?
You don’t have to go T-Total with your drinking unless you want to (or your doctor recommends you should). However, cutting down the amount of alcohol you consume has some great benefits.
First, alcohol might make you feel good initially, but it also has a range of pesky symptoms and side-effects associated with it, from nausea and headaches when you drink too much, to trouble sleeping, feelings of depression, digestive system issues and more.Anyone who’s had too much alcohol before knows how terrible the after effects can be.
Alternatively, cutting down on alcohol prompts benefits like:
- Protection from various chronic diseases: Alcohol causes inflammation throughout the body. Cutting down on what you drink can lead to reduced risk of chronic issues like liver disease, cardiovascular diseases, and even cancer.[2]
- Weight loss: Alcohol is high in calories. Wine, beer, and other mixed drinks all add calories and sugar to your diet, which can mean you end up gaining weight. Cutting down on alcohol could help you to trim the bounds.
- Better brain power: Alcohol has an influence on our brains. You might have noticed this when people slur after drinking too much. Reducing your intake helps your brain to stay healthy, which also means you can control your emotions more effectively too.
Cutting down on alcohol also improves your sleep, by allowing you to fall into a deeper state of sleep each night.[3] This means your body can properly rest and recover each day.
Liquid Options for an Alcohol Alternative
If you still want to sit down for a drink after a long day, switching to something other than alcohol can help you to maintain your routine without the side effects. One option is to simply drink anon-alcoholic version of the drink you already like. However, this does still mean you’re probably exposing yourself to some extra sugar and calories.
If you want a unique alternative, try:
- Kombucha: Ideal for those who like the refreshing fizziness of beer, Kombucha will leave you feeling satisfied if you’re trying to avoid drinking. This substance is actually a very healthy drink, rich in probiotics which help to improve liver and immune-system health. Some of these drinks can also cause a slight buzz, due to very small levels of caffeine and alcohol created during fermentation.
- Kava: Use as a social drinking beverage in countries around the world,Kava is becoming increasingly popular these days. The active chemical in this drink has euphoric and sedative effects, and Kava has been proven to elevate feelings of wellbeing. You can get the same anti-anxiety results as alcohol from Kava, without the sleep quality issues. Although you can feel a little hungover in the morning if you drink too much.
- Tea: If you’re really looking to relax rather than just getting a “buzz”there are various forms of tea that can help to soothe the nervous system much more than any alcohol. Linden and Hawthorne tea are two options for herbal drinks if you’re looking for gentle relaxation. Chamomile, probably the best-known tea in the world for relaxation, is clinically proven to help reduce stress levels and anxiety.[4]
Activities to try instead of drinking alcohol
If you’re looking for an alternative to alcohol and you don’t want to focus on a liquid solution, you have even more options for relaxation. Activities for relaxation differ depending on the person, but some of the most popular alternatives include:
- Listening to music: Research indicates that music has a profound impact on our body and emotions. Listening to relaxing or positive music when you’re feeling stressed could help you to get into the right mood again.[5]
- Take a bath: Hot water is inherently soothing. One of the best ways to get yourself ready for sleep, a hot bath with the right essential oils and scent scan help you to soak away all your worries. Try adding the scent of lavender if you want help sleeping.
- Exercise: Although you might not feel like exercising when you’re stressed, studies prove that the dopamine rush of activity can significantly improve how people feel. Exercise is even effective at treating issues like depression and anxiety.
- Meditate: Although many people still feel daunted by the idea of meditation, there are a lot of helpful apps and videos out there for beginners to make it easier to get started. Meditation can be a wonderful way to organise your thoughts and soothe your mind.
- Stretch it out: Yoga is another fantastic way to reduce feelings of stress and get yourself feeling relaxed. There are all kinds of styles to try, and you’ll benefit from improved balance, better muscle mobility, and even improved strength as a result.
Activities to try instead of drinking alcohol
If you’re looking for an alternative to alcohol and you don’t want to focus on a liquid solution, you have even more options for relaxation. Activities for relaxation differ depending on the person, but some of the most popular alternatives include:
- Listening to music: Research indicates that music has a profound impact on our body and emotions. Listening to relaxing or positive music when you’re feeling stressed could help you to get into the right mood again.[5]
- Take a bath: Hot water is inherently soothing. One of the best ways to get yourself ready for sleep, a hot bath with the right essential oils and scent scan help you to soak away all your worries. Try adding the scent of lavender if you want help sleeping.
- Exercise: Although you might not feel like exercising when you’re stressed, studies prove that the dopamine rush of activity can significantly improve how people feel. Exercise is even effective at treating issues like depression and anxiety.
- Meditate: Although many people still feel daunted by the idea of meditation, there are a lot of helpful apps and videos out there for beginners to make it easier to get started. Meditation can be a wonderful way to organise your thoughts and soothe your mind.
- Stretch it out: Yoga is another fantastic way to reduce feelings of stress and get yourself feeling relaxed. There are all kinds of styles to try, and you’ll benefit from improved balance, better muscle mobility, and even improved strength as a result.
Don’t be afraid to experiment with a range of different options to replace alcohol the next time you’re feeling stressed.For some people, a hot bath and some great tunes will be the perfect solution, for others, it’ll be a glass of CBD-infused tea and a walk around the park. Find what works for you.
References
[1] https://alcoholchange.org.uk/alcohol-facts/fact-sheets/alcohol-statistics
[2] https://ntp.niehs.nih.gov/ntp/roc/content/profiles/alcoholicbeverageconsumption.pdf
[3]https://www.webmd.com/sleep-disorders/news/20130118/alcohol-sleep#:~:text=A%20new%20review%20of%2027,the%20more%20pronounced%20these%20effects.
[4]https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2995283/
[5]https://www.unr.edu/counseling/virtual-relaxation-room/releasing-stress-through-the-power-of-music#:~:text=Music%20can%20have%20a%20profound,more%20alert%20and%20concentrate%20better.&text=A%20slower%20tempo%20can%20quiet,for%20relaxation%20and%20stress%20management.
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