Have you ever considered eliminating alcohol from your life? Have you thought about what would change in your world if you no longer drank any alcohol at all? Would you sleep better? Would you have more energy? Would you feel healthier? Would you have better relationships with your friends and family? If these questions have ever crossed your mind, then you could definitely consider yourself sober curious.
The Sober Curious Movement
The sober curious movement has been growing over the past few years. More and more people are wondering what it would be like to give up alcohol.
Unlike complete sobriety which demands the elimination of alcohol completely, sober curious allows alcohol in moderation. It is perfect for individuals who are interested in a sober lifestyle but may not be willing or ready to give up alcohol completely.
Being sober curious is also a conscious choice based on interest. It differs from traditional sobriety in this way too. Many people who are completely sober do so as a result of alcoholism or alcohol use disorder.
In these cases, no alcohol can be tolerated or there can be serious social, emotional and physical side effects. Being sober curious is allowing the option to choose to drink, to question your drinking habits and to change how you drink based solely on your personal preferences.
How the Sober Curious Movement Began?
Alcohol and drinking excessively has been intertwined into many cultures. From weddings to after work happy hours, concerts to date nights, almost all major events have an element of drinking alcohol blended into how we celebrate. Because of this cultural acceptance of drinking alcohol, being sober hasn’t always been a popular choice.
However, alcohol is not always a good drink option for everyone. In fact, there can be some very negative side effects to drinking alcohol. We will get into these a little later on when we talk about why choosing sober curious is the way to go.
But note that even drinking in moderation can lead to health concerns. That is one reason why the sober curious movement gained traction. People were looking for a cultural change and to make being sober more widely accepted.
In 2014, the Alcohol Concern charity group created “Dry January”, a campaign that encouraged people to take a month off from alcohol. This movement became quite popular with many people across the nation jumping on board. After the success of dry January, more sober-forward events began popping up like Sober October.
The term “sober curious” was coined in New York City at an event series called Club Soda and the founder Ruby Warrington. Being completely sober or just reducing alcohol intake significantly started to become popular.
Why Try Sober Curious?
There are a lot of negative side effects to drinking alcohol. While one or two drinks may make you feel good in the moment, the immediate after effects and also long term effects are no joke. Drinking frequently or excessively may lead to:
- Hangovers
- Difficulty sleeping or insomnia
- Inability to focus
- Immune system issues and constant illness
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Liver disease and cancer
- Difficulty in relationships
- Mood swings
- Higher blood pressure
- Weight gain
This list shows what a huge impact alcohol can have on your life. It is the reason why so many people are curious about becoming sober and reducing their alcohol intake.
When you stop drinking alcohol, so many of these health issues will go away almost immediately. No alcohol means no hangovers and better sleep right away. Studies have shown that those who stop drinking alcohol have more energy and lose weight quickly.
Sobriety can also improve your mood and help you communicate with your peers more productively. It becomes easier to focus and can improve your memory.
While abstaining from alcohol completely is more likely to help your overall health, simply reducing your alcohol intake will also have many positive effects. Being sober curious is a step in the right direction.
How to be Sober Curious?
If you think that the sober curious movement sounds right for you, give it a try, starting today! It is actually very simple to begin exploring sobriety and choosing to limit your alcohol intake. Here is what you need to do.
1. Make a Plan
Decide when you are going to stop drinking and commit to that date. You should also decide if you will allow yourself to have one or more alcoholic drinks on occasion. Sober curious does not mean zero alcohol but more a mindful approach to drinking.
Decided what you will say if you are offered alcohol. A simple “No thanks” will do in most cases. You should also plan what you will drink in place of alcoholic drinks. Think about what your new go-to drink order will be.
2. Tell Your Family and Friends
Let people know how excited you are to start your sober curious journey. You do not need o explain your choice to anyone unless you want to. However, letting those important people in your life know about your new sober lifestyle is a good idea. Talking about it will help you stay on track.
3. Find Like-Minded Friends
Look for social groups that also choose to be sober curious. There are many online groups and sober curious events you can attend. See if you can get some of your current friends on board. Being in social settings without alcohol will really help you remain sober.
4. Try New Hobbies
If drinking alcohol use to be one of your go-to past times, you may find yourself with extra time on your hands. Think about what new hobbies and activities you want to try. Maybe you want to start running or biking. Perhaps you want to tackle that stack of books you have been meaning to read. Finding new, fun ways to pass the time will keep you busy and prevent you from even thinking about alcohol.
5. Be Flexible
If your plan allows for a drink or two, enjoy it! Flexibility in your alcohol intake is one of the benefits of being sober curious. You do not need to eliminate alcohol completely, just as much as you choose. So, if you have one drink with friends, be sure it is a drink you really want. Don’t drink just to “fit in”, do it because you really want to. And if you do, do not beat your self up. You are in charge of your sober curious journey! Alcohol in moderation and in a mindful, conscious way is okay.
Being Sober Curious
If you can relate to this article and are sober curious, start living the lifestyle today. Make your sober curious plan and start feeling the benefits of reduced alcohol intake right away. There is a reason why so many people are choosing to be sober curious and feeling amazing about the choice.
We have tons of amazing non alcoholic drinks for you to try on our site as well.
With so many new, tasty options, you will never miss alcohol for even a second!
Enjoy!