Tag: adulting

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Health Healthy Living Mental Health Wine

6 Clear Signs That You Are Drinking Too Much

Enjoying an occasional glass of wine is no problem and something that many people do. However, if that occasional glass of wine becomes more frequent, you could be drinking too much. I’ll be the first to admit that I thoroughly enjoy wine (as the blog name suggests), but I am careful about drinking in moderation. Not only do I want to be alert enough to be a good mom, but I also want to stay healthy.

Alcohol misuse can cause health problems, so it’s essential to have a healthy relationship with drinking. If you’re worried about your drinking habits, here are some signs that you may be drinking too much.

Drinking Too Much

Are You Drinking Too Much?

You Set Limits That You Can’t Meet

Perhaps you have started to notice that you seem to get drunk quicker than your friends, or that you immediately have a drink every night to relax and promise yourself that you’ll only have a couple of drinks or won’t drink. However, by the end of the evening, you’re drunk again and aren’t sure what went wrong. If you frequently find yourself going over the limits, it’s a common sign that you don’t have control. 

Other People Comment On Your Drinking

It’s unlikely that your loved ones are just calling you an alcoholic to your face, but they might be jokingly talking about alcohol rehab or referring to you as the lush of the group. If this is happening, there might be some truth behind their teasing. If you have a reputation as someone who can handle their drink, it means your reputation is based on your drinking habits. This reputation might seem like a badge of pride, but it should ring an alarm bell. People usually start to get feedback from friends and family before realizing that they have a problem.

You Crave Alcohol

Crave can be a misleading term. To many people, craving something means that their mouth waters at the thought of heading to the bar or liquor store. Craving is much simpler, and it’s often just a low-level romanticization of going to happy hour that keeps you going throughout the day. Having a drink to unwind is not a bad thing or a problem, and it isn’t always a warning sign. However, if the only way you can get through the day is by thinking about the drink you’re going to have in the evening, there could be a problem coming your way.

You Get Defensive About Your Drinking

How do you react if someone suggests that you take it easy or that you’ve had enough to drink? If your immediate reaction is to feel insulted, ask yourself why you feel that way. Why does it bother you when the suggestion comes from someone that cares about you, like your friend or spouse? Could it be that you’re upset by it because they are echoing something you’re already privately worried about? Is there a part of you that is panicked by the idea of stopping drinking?

Drinking Is Taking A Toll On Your Health And Well-Being

Your doctor might not bluntly tell you that you have a budding drinking problem. However, if they suggest that you cut back on your drinking, this is a definite sign of a problem. If waking up without a mild hangover feels strange, this is another sign. Additionally, spending most of your morning getting over your hangover from the night before is another sign. For those who drink moderately, hangovers should be rare, if you get them at all. If being hungover is part of your routine, it is time to take an honest look at your drinking habits.

You Use Drinking As A Coping Mechanism

If you’ve had a bad day or received bad news and your immediate thought is to drink, it’s a sign. The opposite is true too. If you’ve received good news and immediately want a celebratory drink, it’s a sign that alcohol plays a big part in your life. Your brain will condition itself based on a reward response. If your brain is accustomed to feeling better after a drink, your brain will choose that as your coping mechanism.

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Adulting Health Healthy Living Mental Health

How to Keep Up with Your 4 Essential Health Appointments This Year

The past couple of years has been hugely different for most of us. The Covid-19 pandemic has altered our day-to-day lives. We’ve gone through lockdowns, periods of isolation, and months on end of social distancing. While all of this has been important to slow the spread of the virus, it has had countless negative impacts. For some, this has been that it has been hard to keep up with essential health appointments. Increased strain on healthcare systems has meant many checkups and procedures have long waiting lists, and we’ve got out of sync with our self-organization. To help keep you on track without reminders from healthcare organizations, here are a few appointments that you should try to book as soon as possible to get back on track.

Essential Health Appointments
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Essential Health Appointments

Dental Appointments

Dentist offices closed for a while over the pandemic, but you must check in now that they’ve opened back up. You should, ideally, visit the dentist once every six months, but your doctor will tell you for sure. Regular dental appointments will give your practitioner a chance to look at your mouth and determine its health.

Your appointment may be easy, allowing you to get a cleaning and then come back for your next check-up. However, if the dentist finds issues, you may require treatment to make things right. You can also talk to your dentist about cosmetic procedures, such as teeth straightening or teeth whitening.

Eye Tests

You should have an eye test once every two years. Schedule an appointment with an optometrist local to you. The eye check is fast and painless as the doctor uses equipment to help determine the health of your eyes. Your optometrist will then carry out some vision tests to determine if you need a prescription for lenses or not.

Cervical Screening

If you’re over the age of 25, you may be due for a cervical screening appointment at this point too. Also known as a pap smear, you should schedule this appointment regularly. This check will allow medical professionals to take a look at the cellular material in your cervix (the entrance or “barrier” between your womb and your vagina).

If you get the all-clear and everything is as it should be, great! However, if the doctor discovers any irregularities, you will undergo further checks for cancer or cancerous cells. It’s an essential check that can prove life-saving.

Vaccinations

Now, people are getting more routine vaccinations, whether it’s Covid vaccines and boosters or the flu jab. If you want to get these vaccinations, book appointments when recommended by your doctor.

Keeping Your Essential Health Appointments

These are just a few appointments you may need to schedule now that facilities are getting back to normal. Don’t put your health on the backburner and risk serious complications or conditions.

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Adulting For the Home Home Spring

4 Practical Spring Cleaning Tasks You Shouldn’t Miss This Year

Spring is coming, and it will soon be time for spring cleaning. Getting your home ready for spring is a great way to let some air in after keeping the house closed over the winter. It will help get the house clean and fresh for the new season. Here are some spring cleaning tasks you shouldn’t skip this year. 

Spring Cleaning Tasks
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Spring Cleaning Tasks You Shouldn’t Skip

Have Your HVAC System Cleaned

Your HVAC system has been working hard all winter, keeping your house warm during the colder months. Now, it has another season of hard work coming up in the summer, keeping the house cool. Check when its service is due, and get it checked over and cleaned to make sure it will be ready for summer. A company like DUCTZ can change and clean the filters to improve the air quality in your home. If you want a fresher home ready for spring, this is an ideal first step. 

Clean The Mattresses

You’ve been changing the bedding all year, but when is the last time you cleaned your mattress? Your mattress can get grubby over time, thanks to sweat and shed skin cells when you sleep, which can make it a bit smelly. A fresh, clean mattress will improve your sleep and make your bedroom smell fresher. Cleaning a mattress can be easy. Strip off all your bedding, and cover the mattress with a light layer of baking soda, to soak up any odors. Leave the baking soda for a few minutes, and then vacuum it away. 

Scrub The Oven

Your oven could be pretty filthy after all the hard work you put in to feed your family. It could likely benefit from a deep clean. Take out any trays or grills from inside the oven to make it easier to clean. To make the job even easier, you can buy kits with bags of cleaning fluid to soak the trays in, or you can hire a professional oven cleaning company to do the job for you. You might want to take the door apart, too, if dirt has got between the layers of glass.

Clean The Windows

After a winter of keeping the windows closed against the cold, you’re ready to fling them open and let the fresh air in. However, the last thing you want is to look at the spring sunshine through a grimy window pane. Give all the windows a good clean, inside and out, to get rid of grime and smears. If you have lots of windows, windows that are high up, or windows that are awkward to reach, hire someone to do it for you, rather than risking wobbling around on a ladder. Remove your curtains, blinds, or other window treatments and give those a clean too, so you can have fresh window treatments to go with your shiny new windows. 

Spring Cleaning Tasks

A good spring clean will make your home feel fresh and ready for the new season. There’s nothing more satisfying than a clean house, so it helps your feel better about your home. Are there any other areas we shouldn’t skip during our spring cleaning? Leave a comment and let us know!

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Adulting Healthy Living Parenting Things to Do

5 Perfect Activities For Parents That Need To Relax

Parents That Need To Relax

As a parent, relaxing time without the kids can be rare. It’s often so rare that when it comes, and the kids aren’t home, we don’t know how to spend it. The good news is you don’t have to waste any of your precious me-time working this out. Here are some of the perfect activities for parents that need to relax.

Parents That Need To Relax
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Activities For Parents That Need To Relax

Napping 

Yes, napping is number one on the list here because, as a parent, it’s rare we ever get enough sleep! However, a good nap without the threat of being woken up every few minutes can work wonders for the body and the mind.  

Make the experience special by making a warm drink, lowering the lights, and snuggling under your favorite blanket. You can even use sleep music or sounds like thunderstorms to help you gently drift off. Then you can wake up genuinely refreshed and relaxed at the end of your nap.

Meditation 

Mindfulness meditation is another great activity that can help you find relaxation. Primarily this is because it fosters a wider space between our thoughts and what we accept as fact, relieving stress. Although, in many cases, it needs to be a long-term habit, as when we meditate for the first few times the mind can be loud. 

However, if you are new to meditation and want an instant way to relax, try techniques like progressive muscle relaxation. Progressive muscle relaxation is when you follow a guided meditation that goes through each part of your body. It encourages you to tense each body part and then let go, helping your body and mind let go of tension and promoting relaxation.

Massage 

Similarly to progressive muscle relations, massage can be a great activity for relaxation. There are many benefits to getting a professional massage, including:

  • eliminating toxins from your systems
  • loosening knots and tensions
  • promoting a sense of relaxation and wellbeing

Cannabis products for parents that need to relax

When the kids are out of the house, some parents use cannabis products to aid relaxation. There are plenty of products to choose from, including oils, edibles, and prerolls. As parents, safety is always a prime concern, so it’s a good idea to get something like the doob tube PACK CASE as it’s certified child-resistant, adding an extra layer of protection for your little ones should their inadvertently come across your products. 

Find your flow 

Many people find it supremely relaxing to be engaging in an activity where they can get into a flow state. A flow state is all about being present and absorbed in the activity you are doing. Many different activities can help you achieve this flow state, including running, drawing, crafting, gardening, and even singing! 

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Adulting How To Life

3 Easy Ways to Once Again Reassert Who You Are

It seems that people and processes are constantly telling us who we are and who we should be. Advertising tells us how to act, political figures tell us how to think, and the news tells us our emotions and how to react. However, no matter who you are, it’s essential to reassert who you are from time to time.

You get to assert how you feel about a musical artist, what you thought of a movie, where you’d like to travel, and the bigger questions that help define us. When you reassert who you are, you can stay true to yourself no matter what happens.

Reassert Who You Are
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How to Reassert Who You Are

Care For Yourself and Invest In You

To reassert who you are, you need to define yourself as someone worth taking care of. You do that by taking care of yourself and prioritizing your needs and desires. Taking care of yourself involves making sure you get enough sleep each night, that you eat enough vegetables, that you visit your local dentist to make sure you keep up with your dental hygiene, and that you don’t feel ashamed to rest when you need it. Invest in your wellbeing, and build confidence any way you can. 

Find What You Love

Finding what you love can help you figure out what to prioritize in life. We always define ourselves by the things most important to us, whether it is a family member, a career we hope to build, a discipline we want to curate, or activities that give us strength, like exercising, writing, blogging, or playing music.

Life can seem long without something to enjoy and invest your joy into. When we do those things, they come back and nourish us and how we assert ourselves in the world. 

Ponder What Is Important

If you can ponder what is most important in life, you’ll be able to conform to that, and your personality will begin to build. That might involve revolving the entire orbit of your life around your child. Or, it might involve ensuring that your startup business practices the values that you think are missing from the industry.

Figuring out what is important may mean identifying what your culture and ethnic heritage mean to you. Consider visiting the place your grandparents may be from so that you can connect to this essential nature once more. You get to decide what’s important, and luckily, our minds have a way of gravitating to just that.

Reassert Who You Are

With this advice in mind, you can reassert who you are to yourself and those around you. Stay true to yourself, and follow your path without comparing yourself to anyone else.

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How To Life Our Family Parenting

11 Ways to Help Your Family Through a Tough Decision

Families are important to each of us, and sometimes they can be the most complicated people to help. Whether it’s a tough decision about health care, or something else entirely, there are ways for you to help your family. A few helpful tips can get them through this challenging time with less stress and more understanding. So here are six things that will help your family member when they’re trying to make a tough decision.

Help Your Family
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How to Help Your Family Through a Tough Decision

Stay Calm And Supportive

When someone you care about is going through a tough time, it’s essential to try not to get emotional. The loved one might be feeling so much stress already that they don’t need anyone else piling on more guilt or fear of a bad outcome. So remember, staying calm will help your family stay focused on what they’re trying to do. Supportive words will help them feel like they’re not alone in this.

Just be there for them, and let them know that you’re always available to talk if they need it. Sometimes just listening is the best thing you can do.

Help Your Family Gather Information

When someone is making a difficult decision, the best thing you can do is help them gather as much information as possible. Helping your family gather information might mean doing some online research or talking to experts in the field. Whatever it takes, let your family member know that you’re there to support them through this process. Reassure them that you want to make sure they make the best decision possible.

This step can be beneficial, especially if your family member feels overwhelmed or unsure of where to start. The more information they have, the easier it will be to decide. Help them make a list of pros and cons so they can decide. 

Don’t Push Them Into A Decision

One thing that people don’t always realize when going through a stressful time is how much pressure it can cause. When you try to push someone into making up their mind, they might feel like there isn’t anyone else in their corner. And this will only add more stress to an already difficult situation.

So try your best to avoid pressuring them, and let them take their time deciding what’s best for them. It might not be the answer you want to hear, but your loved ones must make this choice themselves.

Talk About Their Options

Even though it might feel like there’s only one correct answer, most tough decisions have more than just two choices. Try to help your family member see all the different possibilities when making a difficult decision. Helping the person see their options will give them peace of mind and boost their confidence.

Let Them Know You’re There For Them

No matter the decision, your family member will need your support. Let them know that you’re always there for them, no matter what. Knowing that you’re there can be helpful in times of stress and uncertainty, and it can help your family through a tough time.

Don’t Give Up On Them

No matter how long it takes for your family member to make a tough decision, don’t lose hope! Sometimes the correct answer isn’t apparent and can take time. Let them know that you’re there to help no matter what, even if they need more time or information before making their choice. Always remember that they’re doing their best to make the right choice.

Give Them Space 

If your family is struggling with a tough decision, sometimes the best thing you can do is give them some slack. Let them know that you’re available if they need to talk, but don’t push them to speak.

Everyone deals with stress differently. The best you can do is be there for them and keep a close watch on them. However, if you are concerned that your loved one isn’t coping, you may need to get involved sooner rather than later.

When they are ready, be available for them and listen more than you talk. It’s easy to offer advice or give your opinion, but this is their decision at the end of the day. Let them know that whatever choice they make – it’ll be okay.

Help Your Family
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Offer Professional Help

If your family needs a little more help making their decision, offer to connect them with professional resources.

There are counselors and organizations out there that can give you advice on how to make the best possible choice. Usually, these professionals have likely dealt with similar situations before and may even offer a different perspective. A psychiatric nurse practitioner is an excellent person to seek advice and assistance. They have experience and will have an idea of treatment options. 

Seek Out Support Groups to Help Your Family

There are also support groups available for family members going through a tough decision. Support groups can be a great way to connect with other people who understand what you’re going through. Plus, they may offer some helpful advice.

It can be comforting to know that you’re not alone in this and talking to someone who has been in your situation before can help you see the light at the end of what seems to be a never-ending tunnel.

Remember That Every Decision Has Good And Bad Points

No matter what choice your family makes, remember that there will always be pros and cons. Help them make a list and go through it with them. Sometimes writing it all down and having someone go through it with them gives them a new perspective. Just remember, whatever they decide – make sure you let them know how much you love them, support their decisions wholeheartedly, and remind them of all the beautiful things they have to offer.

Give Them Time

Sometimes the best thing you can do is give your family some time. They’ll come around in their own time, and when they’re ready, they’ll let you know. But, until then – be there for them, support them, and love them no matter what.

Help Your Family Through a Tough Decision

Making a tough decision can be tricky, but hopefully, these tips will help your family through it. Remember to support each other and stay positive – whatever the outcome!

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Adulting How To Life

6 Easy Ways to Boost Your Confidence Today

Everyone likes being confident, but some people struggle with it. Who wouldn’t want to be able to walk into any situation with your head held high? Confidence really can be the deciding factor in so many experiences. If you want to boost your confidence, these tips can help you start today.

Boost Your Confidence
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How to Boost Your Confidence

1. Stop comparing yourself to others

If you go around constantly comparing yourself to others, you’re going to end up feeling like crap. Everyone is at a different stage in their lives and will have had different experiences which they can talk about or have done things with which you may not have done.

2. Stop being so hard on yourself

There is a big difference between self-criticism and self-discipline. If you can master the line between the two, it will be easier for you to boost your confidence and make progress in many other aspects of your life. When things go wrong, instead of saying “I’m such a failure,” say “what went wrong and how can I change it?”

3. Put yourself in uncomfortable situations

When you put yourself in uncomfortable situations like going for your annual checkup at your local dentist, or you face your fears and go out of your way to do things that scare you, this is when you grow the most. Doing things that scare you is when opportunities come knocking at your door. How will you ever grow if you never leave the house or take up new activities?

4. Stop putting yourself down

Everyone has their bad days, and it is okay. However, when you catch yourself saying negative things about yourself in a continuous cycle, you need to stop that cycle as soon as possible. Everyone is beautiful in their way. If you believe it yourself, others will see it, too. You are beautiful and worth it, and don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.

5. Be confident in your abilities

If you’re not confident in your abilities, then no one else will be either! Be proud of your talents and show them off when you can. If you’re a good writer, write as much as possible and share your work with others. If you’re a good runner, run as much as possible and tell everyone about it. Confidence is key to making progress.

6. Be kind to yourself to boost your confidence

Kindness goes hand in hand with confidence. Everything else falls into place when you can be nice to yourself first. You must love your flaws as much as you love your good qualities, and if you do that, then the world is your oyster.

Boost Your Confidence

Confidence comes from within, so meditate and find out why you’re doing it. Maybe it is because of the attention you get through being confident? Or it is because of what you can achieve when you’re confident enough to try. Once you know your reason and the values behind it, take a step back and analyze. Are you kind to yourself? Are you confident in your abilities? If not, do those things and build yourself up from there!

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Adulting For the Home Home How To

It’s Time To Ready Your Home For The Worst Of The Weather

Terrible weather conditions can have a devastating impact on your home. It can lead to expensive repair bills and take weeks or months before your home is usable again. That’s why it’s important to take steps to ready your home for the worst of the weather.

***This post contains affiliate links. It costs you nothing extra, but I may receive a small commission.***

Ready Your Home For The Worst Of The Weather
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How to Ready Your Home For The Worst Of The Weather

Invest In A Backup Generator

One of the worst impacts of bad weather is arguably going to be a power outage. Recently, many homes have been hit with power outages that have lasted for days or weeks. Not only is it dangerous, but it brings a financial toll because food goes bad and must be replaced. Electrical appliances can also be damaged, requiring expensive replacements. Backup generators can prevent these issues, and they are suitable for any sized home.

Improve The Insulation

When the weather turns, you need to make sure that your home remains warm and toasty. The best option is to make sure you improve the insulation around your property. There are a few ways that you can improve the insulation. For instance, you might want to think about replacing the windows if they let in any drafts. While this is an expensive change, you can create the same type of impact by adding thicker curtains to your home. 

Remove Any Trees Close To Your Home

You must think about how the weather could potentially damage your home. It’s possible that there’s a tree leaning close to your property. If heavy winds bring this tree down, it could come crashing on your house, damaging your property. To avoid a situation like this, think about hiring the right removal service such as STC. They’ll get rid of your tree and ensure that a tragic incident can be avoided. 

Check The Roof

Finally, you must check your roof for any damage or signs of holes. A problem like this could become a massive headache in the future. You will need to contend with the fact that water will be dripping into your home, leading to problems with dampness and causing mold to grow in certain areas inside your roof too. Arrange to have your roof inspected at least once a year, ideally just before the worst of the winter weather is likely to hit. 

Ready Your Home For The Worst Of The Weather

We hope this helps you understand some of the key steps that you can take to ready your home for the worst of the weather. Explore the best options here and you can make sure that you don’t have to deal with a large repair or a bill that is difficult to manage. 

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For the Home Home Parenting

3 Essential Ways To Set Up Your First Home For Good

Moving into a property to call your own is a life milestone and achievement, and you should feel free to celebrate it. That’s not to say you haven’t worked for this outcome, but even so, it’s worth paying yourself some credit and feeling a sense of enthusiasm for your future. Once that’s over, then the new work begins. It can take some time to unpack and may need some creativity to get right. However, when you set up your first home, it can also require a few additional considerations.

Set Up Your First Home
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How To Set Up Your First Home For Good

Pest Control & Prevention

Pest control is an essential means of resolving an infestation, but it can also be a worthwhile preventative measure. From using rodent deterrents, placing traps, and using other materials to prevent insects, you can protect your home against creatures. These services can also help if bats make a nest in your attic or if you need a wasp’s nest removed.

Set Up Security As Needed

It’s essential to secure your home even if it is in a safe location. Some locations may require more security, though. For instance, a suburban house will have more people around it, meaning it’s statistically more likely to suffer an intrusion attempt. However, you’re much closer to a security safety net and neighborhood watch to balance that out. 

In rural areas, you’ll be around fewer people but will have fewer immediate police responses. Plus, you may not live next to neighbors that can support you. Without the added security, it is why using a reliable and proven home security company is key to finding the best solution for your unique needs.

Ventilate Properly

The build-up of damp and the weakening of insulation can cause problems in your household. Both of these issues can be fixed. Refitting poor or damaged windows, setting lock strengths, and making sure that your home can accept and circulate fresh air without opening up to adverse effects from the weather or bad insulation is essential. These measures may take a professional to inspect and rectify any issues or install new ventilated features.

Set Up Your First Home

With this combination of efforts, you’ll set up your first home for good. Do you have any other tips? Leave a comment and let us know.

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Adulting Health Healthy Living Mental Health

3 Ways to Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption and Still Stay Social

fine wine investment

It’s common for alcohol to be served when people get together. In principle, this is completely harmless. However, alcohol is full of sugar and (potentially) other harmful ingredients, making it a serious health hazard. We all know that I love a good drink (hence the name of my blog), but it is essential to recognize when it interferes with your health. With that in mind, here are some tips on how to reduce your alcohol consumption and still stay social.

Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption

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How To Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption and Stay Social

Decide If You Need to Cut Back or Quit

The first question you must ask yourself is whether you want to cut back on drinking alcohol or if you should give it up entirely. If you decide you are happy to keep drinking, you need to set your limits. However, if you give it up entirely, you need to decide whether to slow down and then stop or stop cold turkey.

Either way, you need to set a date for when you’re giving it up and how long you plan to give it up. It’s also essential that you be honest about your reasons for giving up. If you’re just concerned about your general health (and weight), then there’s a good chance you’ll be fine to go ahead on your own. If, however, you’re concerned that you’re not fully in control of your drinking, then you may need supported alcohol treatment.

Tell Your Friends

It’s entirely up to you whether you let people know that you’re reducing your alcohol consumption, but it might be best to be upfront. Reducing your alcohol consumption is now a lot more socially acceptable than it used to be. In fact, you’ll probably find that most people are sympathetic to your plans. The main argument for telling people is, essentially, to set expectations and, by extension, to let them see how your decision might impact them.

Thankfully, there’s likely to be minimal to no impact on anyone else. Most, if not all, venues that serve alcohol will also serve non-alcoholic drinks. What’s more, if you’re happy not to drink, you can be the designated driver.

Try New Drinks

If you’re planning on reducing your alcohol intake rather than eliminating it, there are two approaches you can take. The first is to stick with your regular drinks but have fewer servings. The second is to swap out your regular drinks for lower-alcohol alternatives. You can, of course, combine the two approaches.

One important point to remember is that choosing lower-alcohol options doesn’t always mean looking specifically for low-alcohol products. You can make any drink lower alcohol by adding a non-alcoholic liquid. If your main reason for reducing alcohol consumption is weight-control, you will need to choose a low-/no-sugar mixer.

Reduce Your Alcohol Consumption and Still Stay Social

There’s nothing wrong with the occasional alcoholic beverage, but many people are cutting back these days. Fortunately, you can still stay social even as you reduce your alcohol consumption. Do you have any other tips? Leave a comment and let us know!