10 ways to drink less this holiday season

10 WAYS TO DRINK LESS THIS HOLIDAY SEASON

Address: B, 333 Cedar Ave #3, Middlesex, NJ 08846 Website: https://www.recoverycnt.com/

INTRODUCTION It seems like every gathering you go to from Thanksgiving to New Year’s involves some kind of alcohol. ‘Tis the season for hot toddies…and champagne, and cocktails, and endless glasses of wine. Getting into the holiday spirit with spirits is so pervasive that we’ve even dedicated the month of January to detoxing. “Drinking is more excessive during the holidays – it’s like you hit a green light that won’t turn red again until New Year’s Day and you think you can drink without consequences because it’s the holidays.”

10 EXPERT – BACKED STRATEGIES TO DRINK LESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS 1. Start a new habit Once you've identified an unhealthy habit—maybe you're constantly sipping on a cocktail just to avoid feeling awkward at the company party—it's time to break it. "In order to change a habit, you need to practice a new routine that replaces an old one," says Scritchfield. Instead of reaching for a refill every time you get anxious at the office party, crunch on some crudités instead. And don't drop your drinking alternative once the ball drops on NYE. "Continuing to practice this new routine is key—it takes about six months for a practice to become a habit," Scritchfield says.

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10 EXPERT – BACKED STRATEGIES TO DRINK LESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS 2. think about each Drink aS a Spoonful of Sugar You wouldn't shovel 10 gingerbread cookies into your mouth. Why not give the same attention to your alcohol servings? "Be mindful that alcohol turns to sugar in the body,“ says Boucher. "Think of that cocktail as a heaping spoonful of sugar—that may be enough of a visual to help you keep things in check.“ Do Visit: Methadone Detox treatment in New Jersey, Drug detoxification

10 EXPERT – BACKED STRATEGIES TO DRINK LESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS 3. DeStreSS before you Socialize Between tackling your gift list, baking treats for your book club's holiday gathering, and navigating a million family commitments, it can feel like you need that drink (or three) at the holiday party. "Women tend to overeat and drink too much when they're stressed,“ says Boucher.

Instead of stress sipping, spend five minutes doing yoga or meditating before hitting the bar.

Destressing even a little bit can help you curb your alcohol intake.

10 EXPERT – BACKED STRATEGIES TO DRINK LESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS 4. reach for a new nightcap All that seasonal stress can also mean "drinking becomes a way to wind down and shut your brain off from the endless to-do list," says Boucher. If you notice yourself getting in the habit of opening a bottle of wine to help take the edge off before bed, try to find an alternative nighttime ritual to swap out for the booze, says Scritchfield. Give yourself a post-shower massage with a little lavender oil, draw an Instagram-worthy bath, or take some melatonin with a festive cup of peppermint tea.

10 EXPERT – BACKED STRATEGIES TO DRINK LESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS 5. water Down your Drink We've all heard that you should follow the 1:1 ratio —one glass of water for every alcoholic drink. But walking around with water in your hand for half the night can feel unfestive or be easy to forget.

Instead, ask the bartender to make your cocktails with half a shot or reach for a wine spritzer instead of a regular glass. If you're a beer drinker, pick the brew with the lowest alcohol percentage and stick to it for the evening. "You get to enjoy the taste, it feels social, but you won't get the hangover," says Boucher.

10 EXPERT – BACKED STRATEGIES TO DRINK LESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS 6. call it an early night Holiday drinking tends to go from spirited to sh*t-faced as the night wears on. If you're trying to stick to healthy drinking habits, head out before the shots start pouring. "Most times I find that two hours is plenty of time to talk to the people I want to talk to and make my exit before the party becomes all about the drinking," Boucher says.

10 EXPERT – BACKED STRATEGIES TO DRINK LESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS 7. bring a frienD to make thingS leSS awkwarD That peppermint martini is a tempting antidote to your social anxiety. "Your mind may be telling you people will enjoy being around you more after a few drinks,'" says Scritchfield. While a drink might help loosen you up, it can actually make social anxiety worse. Bring a friend as your social lubricant instead—she can help you carry the conversation without giving you a hangover.

10 EXPERT – BACKED STRATEGIES TO DRINK LESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS 8. avoiD Drama

"People may also reach for a drink to help them deal with being around difficult people,“ Scritchfield says. As much as you love your family, they can be a lot to deal with at the holidays. "It's healthier to have an agreement with yourself like, 'I will make small talk with this person, but I will also surround myself with the family I get along with and give myself plenty of me time,'" she says. If Uncle Rudy and Aunt Jean start fighting over politics (again) don't let it drive you to drink. "I was taught to visualize a Hula-Hoop around my waist— anything outside of the Hula-Hoop is none of my business," says Boucher. "Works like a charm."

10 EXPERT – BACKED STRATEGIES TO DRINK LESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS 9. auDit your hangover When you do go overboard at the holiday party, don't just throw it in the regrets column and move on with a couple aspirin. "Think about what caused you to drink excessively and write it down," advises Dr. Cidambi. Before heading to another fête, have another way of dealing in mind.

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10 EXPERT – BACKED STRATEGIES TO DRINK LESS DURING THE HOLIDAYS 10. learn to Say "no thank you"—anD Support otherS when they Do "It's okay to decline a cocktail," says Scritchfield. If you don't want that third drink, you don't need to explain yourself or make up an excuse. "We need to support people who say no thank you and not make their refusal the next topic of conversation. I've seen too many women get shamed for not buying into the excessive drinking culture," she adds. If you really don't want to deal with everyone asking why you're "no fun," head to the bar and get yourself a seltzer with lime, says Boucher. "Once you have something in your hand, people don't ask why you're not drinking."

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Address: B, 333 Cedar Ave #3, Middlesex, NJ 08846 Phone No: 7325601080 Website: https://www.recoverycnt.com/