In our culture, a party without alcohol is not a party. And Christmas and New Year are no exceptions.
However, for grieving people, drinking alcohol may be just like emotional eating. A way to escape our new reality and to help soothe the pain, if only for a few hours.
Alcohol does have this great numbing effect. And when everybody is cheerfully drinking their beer or wine, you may feel even more lonely if you don’t join in the fun.
I’m not suggesting for a minute that you have to cut back at Christmas. However, I would like to share some coping strategies so that you can choose your moments wisely and only have alcohol when you truly fancy a glass of wine or beer because you like the taste of it. That’s it.
Here are a few suggestions for cutting down – if that’s what you choose to do:
• Decide on the maximum amoutn you're going to drink before you go out.
• Consider telling someone else who will be there (a friend or colleague) to help keep you on track.
• Don’t feel pressurised by others. It’s your life, and you are the one who makes the decisions.
• Have an excuse ready when you want to give it a miss (remember ‘no, thanks, I’d rather have …’ is perfectly OK.).
• There are also plenty of delicious non-alcoholic Christmas drinks that will make you feel festive without the hangover. From mocktails to hot chocolate, there’s something for everyone to enjoy.
On those nights that you don’t drink at all, you’ll sleep better, wake feeling more refreshed, you’ll have much more energy, and your mood will be better. The impact on your waistline will be positive, too – alcohol is a major contributor to belly fat and is brimming with unnecessary calories.
Simply put, alcohol affects our blood sugar levels and this can make it so much harder for us to navigate all the emotional ups and downs of the festive season.
What if you decide to have a few drinks and ride the wave (literally!)? Well, here’s my tips for those occasions:
• The best options, when it comes to alcohol, are non-creamy, non-sugary drinks.
• Go for good-quality wine with a low sugar content such as a good Merlot.
• Avoid fizzy drinks when you are having trouble with gas & bloating.
• Rather than buying mulled wine from supermarkets, make your own with fresh ingredients and add some warming digestive herbs. Here’s a winner for a cold winter evening.
• If you want to have a few glasses of wine, go for it and don’t feel guilty. Just be aware that hangovers can be much worse when you are grieving.
• Plan ahead and make that decision inside of what you know to be your social schedule over the entire Christmas period.
For more tips on how to deal with alcohol, dining out and navigating other holiday season hurdles, get a copy of my Christmas Survival Guide. Inside, you'll discover tips for handling these challenges, along with recipes for delightful non-alcoholic drinks, delicious and wholesome food suggestions, and a versatile shopping list.
Get this comprehensive guide now at the special introductory price of £5.95. Don't miss out on this offer!
Alternatively, you can explore my YouTube Channel for my top tip #5 covering everything you need to know about curbing your alcohol intake during the festive season.