Alcohol. Good or Bad?
Everyone has an opinion on alcohol during Midlife. The bad, the good, the ugly. Science tells us, alcohol can exacerbate o-pause symptoms and alcohol negatively impacts our brain health (hell so does Midlife). Even with all this data, ‘The Blue Zones’ Netflix Series by Dan Buettner , the 100 plus population drink a little bit of alcohol. Do we just over consume in the Western world? Too much of a good thing? With so many differing opinions and with champagne being so tasty, no wonder we all are confused.
My approach to alcohol consumption with clients as a health coach is, YOU need to figure out what works for you and establish what YOUR non-negotiable boundaries are. Be open to trying different things, be humble and curious. There is no magic pill. Implement, assess and eliminate what doesn’t work.
Suggested strategies to implement and assess when figuring out what alcohol consumption if any, is right for you.
Take inventory. How many alcoholic beverages are you consuming per week? Be brutality honest. If 10 pours per week, cut back to 6 drinks in week 1. In week 2 cut back to 4 and ask yourself these questions at the end of each week. Am I sleeping better? Do I wake up feeling more refreshed? How is my energy level in the morning, better or worse? How is my focus in the morning?
Try going alcohol free 3 nights a week, such as Monday, Tuesday and Wednesday and just notice how your body responds. Quality of sleep? Refreshed? Energy levels? Brain acuity?
Is your cocktail creation at the designated household bar, habit forming rather than alcohol driven? For me, every time I was headed to the hot tub I made a cocktail. I omitted the tequila and found the same joyful experience with a mocktail. Switch out a cocktail with a non-alcoholic spritzer. Try this delicious Spritzer Refresher.
If you think in black or white terms with no grey in between, stop drinking for 30 days and journal how your mind, body and soul responds to this dry spell. Ask the same questions of yourself. Am I sleeping better? Do I wake up feeling more refreshed? How is my energy level in the morning, better or worse? Brain acuity?
Be open to trying different things, be humble and curious.
I’ve tried all four strategies and what works best for me is being dry during the week and on the weekend if I want to have a drink, not depriving myself but limiting myself to two alcoholic beverages per day. Why? I wake up feeling good in my body. Is my approach 100% perfect? NO. I have social events to attend, vacation to enjoy with family and friends, but 80% good, compounds over time and I’m making better, healthier decisions for my body the majority of time.
Please share below in the comments section, your approach to alcohol consumption during Midlife, it may just help someone.
With so much love and grace,
Jessica
