How Giving Up Alcohol Can Make You Healthier and Happier

How Giving Up Alcohol Can Make You Healthier and Happier

Increasingly, ever more people — mostly young adults — don’t drink at all. Members of GENERATION Z are going out with one another and not having anything to drink; they’re drinking things that don’t have alcohol in them, like mocktails. “Sober Curiosity” is on the rise. This shift is changing where and how we spend our days, relax and interact with other people. It’s at the centre of a lot of talk about mental, physical, and just plain health.

What does caring truly mean?

Those living the clean life choose to look after their health, happiness and mindfulness first by abstaining from alcohol, whether it’s for a short period or if they never want to consume alcohol again. The point of sober curiosity is that you don’t drink alcohol at parties. It has nothing to do with being drunk.

Many people don’t want to stop drinking or hanging out with friends. They simply want to play with others and do things without associating them with drinking, which often leads to poor decisions, illness and addiction. They are learning that too much drinking is bad for their health and minds. That’s why this trend is happening. They are asking themselves how much they drink these days.

The Rise of Socialising Without Alcoholic Drinks and Cocktails

One major reason for sober curiosity is the rise of the mocktail. Mocktails are these drinks that look and taste just like regular drinks except they don’t have any alcohol in them. Mocktails are popular to serve at parties and in bars and restaurants now. It’s a choice people can make without spoiling the fun or ruining the taste of drinking something fancy. Mocktails are a chill drink that won’t even make you feel bad. (Spoiler: They’re not alcohol-based.) There are so many ways to mix them; fruit spritzers and hot ginger-lime drinks are only the beginning.

These days, there are more and more social events that do not serve alcohol. And you don’t need to drink to enjoy any of these. We need more sober happy hours, alcohol-free concerts, health retreats, and exercise events that don't involve alcohol. People can meet and have fun without drinking with this new way of getting together.

Choosing not to drink can be beneficial for your health and overall well-being.

Practising sober curiosity is good for your health, both emotionally and physically. This type of lifestyle makes people healthier in the following ways:

Your mind is clearer

Alcohol can affect the way your brain works for quite a while, which, unfortunately, can make it difficult to think straight, concentrate, and remember things. When people don’t drink, they report that they are more focused, clear-headed and energetic. Sober Curiosity is eager to maintain the neighbourhood free of alcohol, which can prevent brain health from some of the bad effects of alcohol.

A better night's sleep

People know that drinking can disrupt the body’s normal sleep cycle, causing you to struggle to get a good night’s rest. Non-drinkers can experience better sleep, a clearer morning ahead, and an improved mood.

Overall, better health.

If you drink more alcohol than your liver can breakdown, it can harm your health in many different ways, causing liver disease, heart disease and even stomach issues. It doesn’t sound that bad, and it isn’t (‘The Dry Life’, one recent essayist huffily called it) because over time some non-drinkers lose weight and have better skin; others handle food better and get sick less often.

Knowing yourself better

And the truth is that people who drink less or quit have more time and energy to devote themselves to their health, be more thoughtful, and grow as individuals. When you're clean, you can learn more about yourself, handle feelings better, and see what you want and need.

A trend that won’t last: people who want to get sober.

Sober curiosity is not just another fad; it definitely falls in place with a cultural shift happening as people become more conscious of their health and well-being. Plenty of people live that way because it does great things for their health and helps them level up mentally and emotionally. As more people discover how beneficial it is for them not to drink, the trend will likely continue.

Wellness groups, social media and sobriety leaders have also mobilised more people than ever to advocate for sober living. This makes it easier to connect with like-minded singles based on mutual values, goals, and what matters most to you. A lot of people on TikTok and Instagram are glad they don’t drink. They discuss what goes through their minds and share recipes for mocktails. They also support each other in figuring out how to navigate socialising without the drink.

How Not to Drink Do you wish you didn’t?

If you want to know more about sober curiosity, here are a few easy places to start:

Discover non-alcoholic beverages: Experiment with drinks that don’t contain alcohol, such as mocktails. In fact, many companies produce drinks, beers and wines that don’t contain any alcohol. They’re perfect for those who like to be clean.

Explore activities that do not involve alcohol. And there are sober things to do in your town, too—yoga classes, mocktail parties, and even recovery-minded vacations. At these parties, you can make new friends even if you don’t drink.

Do not immediately make yourself cut out the drinking. If you can’t, you might anyway adopt days or events where alcohol is not part of the programme. For example, try Friday through Sunday.

Look after your health: Have a healthy body and mind. There’s nothing wrong with yoga, meditation or workout classes, and they can help you become more present.

Get Support: Learn how to get other people to help you stop drinking. Health and fitness communities, sober communities and online groups on social media can keep you healthy. Cleaning up can make you look sharper and feel better in the long run.

Sober Curiosity

Yes, sober curiosity is the latest thing to do with friends instead of drinking. It’s just about being more conscious of your environment, happy, and healthy. People are drinking less and less.

 Maybe they’re tired of not sleeping as well, or would like to feel better, or just want life itself a little more than the drink once offered. Sober curiosity is a gateway to living our lives better, healthier and in more harmony. They do it by endorsing the mocktail movement, attending events that don’t serve alcohol and investing in themselves.