The Buzz on a Sober Curious Lifestyle
One in four Americans are aware of the sober curious movement, and 34% are trying to drink less
From the LifeMinute.TV Team
October 5, 2023
Here are some benefits to consider and tips to help if you’re thinking of giving it a go.
Don’t Do It Alone
Navigating it can be difficult, especially in social situations. Having a sober or trusted buddy to call or bring along can provide support and accountability.
Distract in Less Triggering Environments
Host a monthly potluck dinner, where the focus is shifted around dishes vs. drinks. Explore new exhibits at museums or art galleries, take a cooking class, or join a book club. These activities can also expand your sober curious circle.
Work It Out
Turn exercise into a social activity. Meet up with a friend for a fitness class, after-work run, or weekend day hike. Or take a dance class. Need more motivation to drink less? Imbibing alcohol before, during, or after exercise can make your workouts feel much more challenging.
Discover a Virgin Brand
Many bars and restaurants offer booze-free drinks. In 2022, non-alcoholic products grew by 9 percent. Some are created to imitate the flavor of their alcohol counterparts but never contain alcohol. Others are filtered to remove the alcohol. Brands like Ritual Zero Proof and Thomson & Scott Noughty can be found locally, at large retailers, or through online delivery services.
Create a Signature Mocktail
Have fun designing a unique drink. Or try a seasonal version using a fall flavor like apple cider. In a shaker filled with ice, combine apple cider, ginger ale, a splash of apple cider vinegar, a squeeze of lime juice, and a pinch of cinnamon extract. Shake and serve.
Count Your Savings
Think about the money you may be expending yearly on alcohol: 1 to 3 drinks per week could cost you $260 to $780 per year; 1 to 2 drinks per day, as much as $1,820 to $3,650 per year; and three or more drinks per day could total up to $5,475 or more each year. That money could be reallocated to saving toward something, like a travel adventure or a new home.
Eliminate Empty Calories
If you’re trying to lose weight, limiting your alcohol intake can eliminate those extra calories and improve digestive function. One gram of alcohol contains seven calories, almost twice as many as carbs or protein, but without nutrients. Our body struggles to metabolize food after drinking, making it difficult to burn calories as efficiently until the alcohol is metabolized.
Feel Better
Long-term, heavy drinking can contribute to depression. It can also damage memory, reasoning, and motor skills. A sober curious lifestyle, among other things, may improve your immune system response, lift your mood, and lower your risk of heart disease.