The new year often has many of us questioning our lifestyle habits and setting new goals for improved health. One term, sober curious, has gained recent attention and refers to a lifestyle movement that has people questioning their relationship with alcohol and considering eliminating or at least reducing their consumption for wellness reasons.
Being sober curious means making a conscious decision to explore the many benefits of a sober lifestyle without necessarily committing to complete abstinence. People might choose to avoid alcohol for one month, one year, or “for now” but it doesn’t have to be indefinitely.
Research shows that cutting back on alcohol can decrease blood pressure and reduce the risk of cardiovascular disease, repair liver function, maintain healthy brain function, contribute to weight loss, and improve sleep. Not to mention, you get to avoid those nasty hangovers. Beyond the physical benefits, reducing alcohol consumption can also improve mood and reduce symptoms of anxiety and depression.
Here are some tips for taking part in the sober curious movement.
First, consider your mindset and focus on what you’ll gain rather than what you’ll lose. Create a plan, which might involve making different choices about how you spend your time or who you spend it with. Practice a simple “no thanks” and don’t feel the need to justify your decision to anyone. Surrounding yourself with like-minded people will also make it easier to achieve your sobriety goals.
It can be helpful to think more mindfully about your drinking habits and the impact of alcohol on both your physical and mental health. Alcohol is a depressant, and it’s use leads to hangovers, trouble sleeping, and difficulty concentrating, among other things. Being sober curious helps people prioritize their wellbeing, and importantly, it also helps to challenge the normalization of drinking.
The sober curious movement has, however, been criticized as a trend that overlooks the difficult and complex recovery process, especially for those who may meet criteria for alcohol use disorder. For these individuals, quitting cold turkey can be dangerous. That’s why talking to a licenced health care provider, such as a physician or psychotherapist, can help you or your loved ones work towards a healthier and more sober lifestyle that works for you. Being sober curious looks different for everyone, it doesn’t have to be a permanent change, and it’s ok to need extra support to change drinking habits.
