Studies show that even light drinking has negative effects on your body. Even an occasional drink or two can affect your sleep, your mood, your energy levels, and how you show up in the world. But, the holidays are coming and sometimes you want to celebrate with a cup of cheer.
Ring in the new year prepared: sugar-free sweets and treats that won't hinder your new year's goals!
Drinking is a social practice and not likely going anywhere. When you’re smart about it, you can participate without wrecking yourself for the days following. If you're going to indulge in a cocktail, there are things you can do to lighten the effects on your body.
Here are 9 tips to help you drink in moderation and keep your health in check:
Plan your drinks. Instead of making the decision that you'll drink tonight, make a specific plan. For example, "I'm going to have one glass of champagne at dinner" or "I'll have one of those cute snowman cocktails, and if in two hours we're planning to stay longer, I'll choose one other cocktail to try."
Consider supplementing with glutathione. Glutathione is known as your body's "master antioxidant" and is involved in processing alcohol in the liver. In people who drink alcohol frequently, glutathione levels are lower than normal. Since alcohol depletes glutathione and glutathione helps you break down alcohol, some people opt to supplement glutathione after drinking to support their body's natural detox systems.
Drink plenty of water throughout the night. This will help rehydrate your body and prevent dehydration, especially if you're consuming alcohol on an empty stomach.
Bring mocktail supplies to the party! Here's one of our favorite mocktail recipes, and if guests choose, they can add their favorite spirit. Chances are, someone else wants to skip the alcohol and also doesn't want to skip the fun. Here are a few favorites to try.
Sip slowly to savor the flavor, rather than downing your drink in a few large gulps, which can make you feel more drunk too quickly.
Eat before you drink to slow down the absorption of alcohol into your bloodstream. Foods like nuts, cheese, and olives can also help soak up some of the alcohol in your system.
Choose lower-alcohol options like wine or beer instead of hard liquor cocktails or shots, which contain more alcohol per serving and can give you a stronger hangover effect.
Take breaks between drinks to give yourself time to process the alcohol that's already in your system. This will help minimize feelings of intoxication and reduce the likelihood that you'll overdo it.
Have electrolytes before bed. After an evening of drinking, you tend to wake up feeling dehydrated and thirsty. Electrolytes can help. Avoid syrupy-sweet sports drinks—those are filled with sugar, salt and dyes. Instead, opt for electrolyte packets that have other electrolytes like magnesium and potassium, along with a little sodium.
When you plan ahead and put simple guardrails in place for yourself, you’re less likely to go overboard. Know your limits and stick to them—for some, that’s zero drinks and for others, that’s an occasional indulgence. You can always join in the fun without messing with the way your feel, if you approach it the right way. What you’re sipping on matters much less than who you share your moments with!
References
C. LOGUERCIO, V. DE GIROLAMO, A. CUOMO, F. ARGENZIO, C. IANNOTTA, D. DISALVO, A. GRELLA, C. DEL VECCHIO BLANCO, DETERMINATION OF PLASMA α-GLUTATHIONE-S-TRANSFERASES IN CHRONIC ALCOHOL ABUSERS: RELATIONSHIP WITH ALCOHOL INTAKE AND LIVER INVOLVEMENT, Alcohol and Alcoholism, Volume 33, Issue 4, July 1998, Pages 366–372, https://doi.org/10.1093/oxfordjournals.alcalc.a008406
