New Year's Resolutions and Excessive Drinking:
A Fresh Start for a Healthier Lifestyle.
Still clinging to your New Year's goal or have you given up on it already?
Starting a new year motivates many people to create meaningful goals.
This is the moment to consider the areas in which we wish to develop personally.
Often, health, career, and personal growth top the lists.
For some, this entails eating better or stopping smoking or increasing their exercise.
Others focus on finding more work-life balance.
But what I hear remarkably often at the beginning of this new year is cutting down on alcohol.
I myself do not participate in this tradition of making positive resolutions, but throughout the year I try to constantly ask myself what I can improve in my life.
Still, I can understand the need to reduce or even stop consuming alcohol.
And I also understand why many do this at the beginning of the new year.
New year, fresh beginning, new chances.
Recent years have seen tougher rules on alcohol intake.
The advice in the Netherlands is not to drink alcohol at all, or only one glass daily.
The Truth About Drinking Too Much
I notice that, despite these recommendations, many people still drink alcohol regularly.
In my area, I see some people drinking more than the recommended limit of ten units per week. This concerns me as I know too much drinking damages health.
Among the various problems connected to alcohol are diabetes, several kinds of cancer, and heart disease.
Another issue, alcohol and driving, I dare not even mention at this point, but that too worries me.
How many people I see happily getting behind the wheel with too much alcohol on after a night out.
Is There a Safe Lower Limit?
For myself, I have decided that there is no safe lower limit for alcohol consumption.
Therefore, I want to try to limit my alcohol consumption as much as possible.
I realize that it is important to be conscious about what I drink and to control my consumption.
Fortunately, I am a companion drinker, not dependent on alcohol, and I am quite willing to make a bet not to drink alcohol for a year.
I sometimes drink alcohol because I like it, not because I need it, not because I think it's tough or cool, or to impress others.
And know my limit well.
Women and Alcohol
Women, it seems from what I have read, are more susceptible to alcohol's negative impacts than men.
This made me consider how I may cut my alcohol intake even more since I want not to unnecessarily endanger my health.
Apart from addiction, alcohol use raises the risk of breast cancer and cardiovascular disease as well.
The Myth of the Glass of Wine That is Healthy
Although I know by now this is untrue, I sometimes hear that one glass of wine a day is healthful.
I often read conflicting reports about this.
Some say it is good for your heart, and others contradict this again.
Therefore, I follow the guidelines of the RIVM (National Institute for Public Health and the Environment), which contradict this myth.
Nevertheless, there are websites that claim that there is evidence that consuming red wine has a positive effect.
Certain substances contribute to increasing good cholesterol.
And that red wine also has protective effects due to the presence of rich antioxidants.
Signs of Problematic Drinking For myself
I have set clear limits to prevent my drinking from ever becoming problematic.
Now the times I drink alcohol can be counted on 1 hand because I don't need alcohol to have fun or ensure that I can enjoy myself at a party or occasion.
The reason I drink alcohol is that I like to combine it with delicious food at a dinner or from the taste of the drink itself.
I am careful not to drink more than I intend and to keep control over my consumption.
But also my environment will intervene when I or someone else threatens to cross the line.
Because if they are concerned about my drinking, I take it seriously.
Zebra drinking as a strategy
One strategy I want to try is “zebra drinking”: alternating a glass of alcohol with a glass of water or soda. (Should I plan to drink multiple glasses of alcohol?)
This seems like a good way to consume alcohol in moderation.
In addition, I think it can also help to share your resolution with friends and family so they can support you.
Health benefits of reducing I believe that reducing alcohol consumption can provide me with many health benefits.
Even if I don't stop completely, I believe that drinking less will give me more energy and vitality.
This motivates me to continue with my good intention.
Although my alcohol consumption was uber-low, trying to avoid it is a conscious and healthy choice.
A New Beginning this year gives me an opportunity to start over and welcome a better way of life.
Through increased awareness of alcohol, I may move methodically toward a more balanced and healthier existence.
If you also want to drink less this year, know that even small steps can make a big difference.
Let's work together toward a healthy and happy 2025!
Sources:
https://www.trimbos.nl/kennis/cijfers/alcohol/
https://www.rivm.nl/determinanten-van-gezondheid/problematisch-alcoholgebruik https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/alcohol-and-heart-health-separating-fact-from
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🔡 Text: Translated from Dutch to English using DeepL
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I did a little detox from alcohol and too much processed food too I'm not able to quit smoke it's one of my new year resolution but it's so hard.
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I never knew the term zebra drinking, but I know plenty of women that will alternate between a glass of alcohol and a glass of water.