Try changing why you drink

If you tend to drink because of things like stress, boredom and tiredness, this can actually make it worse. Starting to drink less is often a much better way of dealing with these problems and can make you feel good.

Find other ways to relax and ease stress

Drinking regularly can make you feel down or even lead to feelings of anxiety or depression, which make stress harder to deal with. This is because regular drinking interferes with neurotransmitters in our brains that are needed for good mental health. It’s better to find out what’s making you feel stressed and looking for ways to deal with it. If stress can’t be avoided, look for other ways to manage it better. Exercise can help. So can talking things through with someone and making sure you spend time doing things that you enjoy. For more ideas visit the ‘Other ways to relax’ section of our website.

Drinking to boost your confidence can backfire

Alcohol suppresses the parts of the brain which control inhibition, so a drink or two may make you feel more confident when out socialising. But these pleasant effects wear off fast and as you drink more, more parts of the brain are affected. Alcohol may also make you angry, aggressive, anxious or down. You may do or say things that you wouldn’t when you’re sober, and which you regret the next day.

If you would like information about how to build your confidence and help you relax in social situations, without the need to drink, there is a wide range of useful resources on NHS Choices. See www.nhs.uk/livewell/mentalhealth/Pages/Mentalhealthhome.aspx

Try not to drink out of habit

Think about whether you ever automatically drink out of routine (after a long day, for example). These are the drinks that you may hardly be aware of that can make the amount that you drink over a week creep up. Some people find it helpful to identify these occasions and what they could do to break these habits and change their routine.

Drinking less can help you sleep

To help you sleep better try to stop drinking earlier before bedtime. This will give your body time to process the alcohol you’ve drunk. On average it takes two hours to process a glass of wine or pint of beer. For more advice to help you sleep visit https://www.nhs.uk/LiveWell/sleep/Pages/sleep-home.aspx

Cutting down alcohol may help lift your mood

If you already feel anxious or sad, drinking can make this worse, so cutting down may put you in a better mood generally. Making changes in your life, such as resolving a difficult situation, talking about your problems or getting more sleep can usually help improve your mood.

If negative feelings don’t go away, are too much to cope with, or stopping you from carrying on with your normal life, you may need to make some changes and get some extra support. Talk to your GP or call NHS 111.

Visit https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/feel-better-and-happy/ for more information.

Keep boredom at bay

If you find yourself drinking to pass the time, finding other ways to keep yourself busy can help you drink less and feel good. Try learning a new skill or take on a new challenge. Spend time with family, friends or neighbours. Be more physically active. Walking is a great place to start, and by exploring your local area you may find new things to do. Doing something for someone else can also pass the time as well as making you feel good. For more ideas visit www.thelivewelldirectory.com

Save money

If you start drinking less you should quickly start to see the money you’re saving pile up. Keep this money in a safe place and use it as additional motivation. The less you drink the more you’ll save!