Whether you’re cutting back, stopping for good or taking a short break, it’s often the little things that make a difference. You just need one thing to click and everything else starts falling into place. Here are 5 things to try this month that will support your sobriety and help you feel great!
Start treating alcohol like a doomed love affair
Ok, so in the early days alcohol promised you all kinds of fun and for a while, it seemed to deliver. But recently it’s caused you more than a bit of heartache. It’s time to make a clean break of things. Just like the end of a relationship, living alcohol-free requires commitment. There will be good days and bad days, rocky patches and feelings of doubt, but ultimately you can only move on if you stick with your decision. Start focusing on what you’re gaining, not what you’re losing. By letting alcohol go, you’re making space for other (good) things to arrive in your life.
Have more snacks
Yes, you read that right! A lot of people find 5 – 7pm particularly tough. It’s the end of the working day, the start of ‘me time’ and it’s wine o’clock: a socially acceptable time to drink. It’s also a time of day when we’re likely to be hungry, tired and dehydrated. A fatal combination. Try eating a healthy snack and drinking a bottle of water at this time – it really makes a difference. If you’re struggling, some dried fruit or sweets will give you a boost until you can get something else to eat.
Treat yourself to a subscription
Sober treats and rewards are really important because you don’t want sobriety to feel like deprivation. Looking after yourself is a big part of getting better and staying sober. So treat yourself to a magazine or an audiobook subscription. Sign up for monthly deliveries of fresh coffee or tea, flowers or beauty boxes. You can get subscriptions for all kinds of wonderful things, from chocolate brownies to cheese! It might seem extravagant, but you’re saving a lot of money on booze. So go on … you deserve it.
Keep a diary
It can seem as if cravings come out of nowhere. One minute you’re fine, the next you’re not. But cravings are actually quite predictable. Your drinking had a certain rhythm and routine to it, and so do your cravings. They might be linked to times of day or how you’re feeling or where you are. Once you know what your triggers are, you have a fighting chance of preventing them or at least being prepared for them.
Reconnect with an old friend – or make a new one
Motivational speaker Jim Rohn famously said that ‘we are the average of the five people we spend the most time with’. We are greatly influenced by those closest to us, whether we like it or not. It affects our way of thinking, our self-esteem and our decisions. So – who are the 5 people you hang out with the most? Are they positive influences in your life or are they holding you back?
5 responses
Great advice Kate! When cravings hit between 5-7 pm I make sure that I have available a small bottle of cold water..I also have a variety of lollies which help with the sugar cravings..Hard boiled lollies are good as they release sugar slowly and aren’t too high in calories..3 months ago I was on the verge of having to take blood pressure medication for high blood pressure..Since giving up alcohol it has returned to a normal healthy reading..I’m really happy with the health benefits that I’m seeing..I’ve reached the 90 day mark today..Yipee!
Congratulations Jenni! Well done on your 90 days and what an incredible change to your health. I hope you’re celebrating properly!
This is helpful advice. I’ve been on again, off again. Seeing as I am sleeping on the couch, I know my hub is pissed.
Hi Kate, thanks so much for this website and for your blog. I am currently on day 8 but have had a bit of stop start business going on for the past couple mths. But I feel this has to be it so I’m trying to put some more tools in place to make it work this time. So your 5 November tips are great for me. One of the things I plan to do is comment on the various sober blogs out there and hopefully get advice from people like you and your readers who either are at my stage or have been here and come out the other side. For instance – have birthday, Christmas and new year to plan for sans alcohol. Anyway – look forward to your posts and still have more of your blog to read through. Yay.
Balanced meals and snacks are very important. It is a great point to make. I find that if I miss breakfast it throws me off and my cravings for alcohol start EVEN earlier then usual. Thanks for the tips, Kate. Please keep them coming!