The Easiest Strategy to Help You Cut Down on Drinking
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Are you looking to cut back on drinking but having a hard time? What you need are strategies that help you naturally cut back without even thinking about it!
The easiest way to avoid drinking is one that might sound stupid at first. But it works.
And that is to adjust your sleep schedule. In other words, go to bed and wake up earlier.
In this post, we're going to talk about how adjusting your sleep schedule to go to bed and wake up earlier can help you effortlessly cut down on alcohol. If you're looking for a way to make healthy choices without feeling like you're sacrificing anything, this is the strategy for you!
There are three things at work in having an earlier bedtime/wake time:
1. Elimination of nighttime temptations.
2. Reduced anxiety and stress…plus a better mood.
3. Setting yourself up for a productive day with a healthy morning. Bonus: more willpower!
Nighttime Temptations: Bye.
We all know that it's easy to fall into the trap of having a drink or two when we're winding down for the day. After all, we deserve it, right? But the problem is, the more we drink, the more our willpower weakens. And when our willpower is weak, it's harder to say no to that second or third drink.
That's where going to bed earlier comes in. By going to bed earlier, you eliminate the nighttime temptations that can lead to excessive drinking.
Think about it: if you're fast asleep, you can't be tempted to have another drink. Instead, you wake up feeling refreshed and energized, ready to take on the day. Not hungover.
Now you just need to perfect your relaxing bedtime routine.
Anxiety: Bye.
But it's not just about avoiding temptation. Getting a good night's sleep can also help reduce stress and anxiety.
When we're tired, we're more likely to feel overwhelmed and anxious about everything on our to-do list. And when we're anxious, we're more likely to turn to alcohol to help us relax.
But when we get a good night's sleep, we wake up feeling refreshed and ready to take on the day with less anxiety. And without that extra anxiety, we don’t feel the need to rely on alcohol to calm our nerves (which in turn increases anxiety).
There’s a one-two punch here since being tired and consuming alcohol both increase anxiety. By going to bed earlier and getting more sleep, you’ll be less anxious and irritable in general. If this also helps you drink less, you’ll have less anxiety from drinking.
In other words, you'll be in a better mood!
When you're well-rested, you'll be in a better mood with less mood swings. This can reduce the need to drink to feel more social or to cope with negative emotions.
In an effort to get you started on this new healthier lifestyle without alcohol, I am happy to announce that I have finally finished a 30 day program based on the way I ate and the lifestyle tweaks I made to recover from severe liver illnesses. This program includes 30 days of recipes, tips for eating out, alcohol alternatives, and more! Check it out here!
Healthy and Productive Morning: Hello.
Now, let's talk about starting your day on a healthy note.
When you wake up feeling refreshed and energized, you're more likely to have a healthy and productive morning, which sets you up with the willpower to make healthy choices throughout the day.
That means making a to-do list, crossing annoying chores off that list while you’re fresh, going for a walk, or hitting the gym.
And when you start your day with healthy choices, you're more likely to continue making healthy choices throughout the day, including saying no to that second glass of wine after dinner.
So how can you make sure you're starting your day on a healthy note? One way is to create a morning routine that sets you up for success. This might include laying out your workout clothes and prepping your breakfast the night before so that you can have a healthy breakfast and get in a solid workout.
For me, when I do those two things, I feel like I’ve already conquered my day.
Also, by starting your day with a healthy routine, you're more likely to make healthy choices the rest of the day. The reverse is also true. If you have Oreos for breakfast, you have a better chance of saying “I’ve already eaten all the sugar, so the day is shot – let’s have the doughnuts in the break room too!” (Admit it – we have all done that).
Starting your day on a healthy note means you’ll have more willpower to say no to those doughnuts or an extra glass of wine.
This also reiterates the second point, that when you're well-rested, you'll have more self-control and be better able to resist the urge to drink. This can help you make healthier choices overall, which can improve your overall well-being.
But don't forget to add something fun to your morning routine!
Maybe it's taking a few minutes to read a book, listening to your favorite podcast, or enjoying a cup of tea while sitting outside. Personally, I like to watch last night’s Bravo mess while I work out. Since I really look forward to seeing housewives’ fights, it’s easier to get out of bed and get moving.
So remember, adding something enjoyable to your morning routine can help make it something you look forward to, rather than something you feel like you have to do.
So if you’ve made the decision to cut back or quit drinking, good for you! Adding this strategy to your routine should be able to help make the process easier, so why not give it a try for a week or two?
You have nothing to lose except nighttime temptations, extra stress and anxiety, and a morning of waking up late and frazzled.
Remember, when you're tired, you're more likely to make impulsive decisions, including reaching for alcohol as a quick fix for relaxation or stress relief. However, when you prioritize sleep by going to bed earlier, you're more likely to make conscious, healthy choices throughout the day, including avoiding alcohol.
Additionally, going to bed earlier can also help you establish a healthy routine, which can be beneficial in reducing your alcohol intake. By creating a regular sleep schedule, you'll be more likely to follow a consistent pattern of healthy behaviors, including exercise, healthy eating, and avoiding alcohol.
Start by setting a bedtime that allows you to get a good night's sleep, and then create a morning routine that sets you up for success. You'll be amazed at how much better you feel – and how much easier it is to make healthy choices – when you prioritize sleep and healthy habits.
If a full morning workout seems too much for you, how about a plank? It’s only a few minutes of work, and it will strengthen your total body. Sign up for my free 30 day plank challenge to challenge yourself without getting bored:
