Your weekly drinking results
You're reducing your risk of long-term health problems
You drink MORE than 0% of men your age
Less alcohol = less calories.
It's shocking to see how many calories are hidden in alcohol. Cutting out a drink here and there can really reduce calories and help you lose weight. For every large glass of wine you don't drink, you'll save 235 calories. For every pint, you'll save 180 calories. Avoiding spirits and mixers can save you lots of calories too.
Drinking less gives you more energy.
Drinking too much can make you feel tired, sluggish and generally a bit under the weather. Drink less and it shouldn't take too long before you notice that you have more energy.
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!
Now we know more about how you drink, we'd like to suggest some simple tips that you could try using to drink less. You don't need to do them all. Pick what works best for you and your life.
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 look 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.
Cutting down alcohol may help lift your mood.
There's a strong link between heavy drinking and depression, and hangovers often make you feel anxious and low. 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 improve your mood. Check out the following useful link for tips about how to be happier, more in control, and able to cope better with life's ups and downs https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/feel-better-and-happy.aspx
If negative feelings don't go away, are too much for you to cope with, or are 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. There is more information about help for low mood at https://www.nhs.uk/Conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/Pages/low-mood-and-depression.aspx
Sleep better after a shift.
Shift work can disrupt your internal 'body clock' which can lead to poor sleep and a lack of energy. Having a drink to relax or help you sleep after your shift actually makes things worse. If you have alcohol in your system when you go to sleep you might go to sleep easier, but there's a good chance you'll get less restful sleep. On average it takes your body two hours to process a pint of beer. Visit the Health and Safety Executive (HSE) for a range of techniques to help improve the quality of your sleep.
Keep less alcohol in the house.
If your house is always stocked up with alcohol you're more likely to drink it. Try buying less alcohol when you do the shopping and keep it out of sight at home to help avoid temptation.
Slow down.
If you enjoy the taste of alcohol, try sipping it more slowly. You might want to try non-alcoholic or low alcohol drinks. The quality of these drinks are improving. Another way to drink less is to alternate alcoholic drinks with water.
Is red wine really healthy?
Are beer and wine safer to drink than spirits?
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