What Does It Mean to Drink Responsibly & Why Is It Necessary?

A few years ago, the media was abuzz with news of Chrissy Teigen claiming that she’d been “point blank drinking too much”. While this wasn’t the first time a celebrity had spoken up about their drinking habits and struggles, the public admittance did help get the conversation going.

Excessive or binge drinking can affect anyone, and it’s more important than ever to combat this rising issue. Studies have shown that alcoholism is on the rise and has affected a significant chunk of the U.S. adult population. Heavy drinking can cause a number of issues, affecting an individual’s health in various ways. It can also lead to social exclusion, feelings of shame and guilt, and financial instability. This is why it’s advised to practice what’s known as “responsible drinking”.

What Is Responsible Drinking?
Responsible drinking means drinking in moderation. It involves limiting your usual intake of alcohol and sticking to a fewer number of drinks. It also includes practicing restraint and not letting alcohol control your life. A person who drinks responsibly has better control over their relationships and circumstances, and can exercise a certain extent of power because they aren’t constantly drunk.

Benefits of Responsible Drinking
Drinking responsibly can positively influence your life in many ways.

Health Benefits
Reducing your alcohol consumption helps strengthen your heart. Consuming moderate amounts of alcohol helps boost insulin sensitivity and can reduce the chances of internal blood clotting. It also increases the levels of lipoprotein (the “good cholesterol” your body needs), further strengthening your heart.
Studies have also shown that moderate alcohol intake can help fight the common cold. While the common cold doesn’t have a cure, responsible drinking is said to lower the chances of you catching one, especially if you’re a non-smoker.
Research has found that individuals who drink in moderation are more likely to exercise regularly. They’re typically in much better shape than individuals who drink excessively and often have fatigue, drowsiness, and headaches that prevent them from exercising.

Improved Sleep
People who indulge in binge drinking often have trouble either falling asleep or staying awake. All that alcohol they consume disrupts their sleep cycle and can have them falling asleep at odd hours. They also tend to feel tired and sluggish during the day, even if they haven’t participated in tiring activities.

In contrast, people who drink responsibly have sleeping patterns that align with their “body clock”. They’re able to get more restful sleep during the night and wake up feeling refreshed. Moderate drinking can also help in alleviating the symptoms of previous sleep orders.

Better Mental Health
Many people who drink excessively do so to distract themselves. “Drinking to forget” is a common phenomenon, especially among individuals battling mental health issues. However, while drinking may offer temporary relief, alcohol is still a depressant. This means that it slows down the natural processes occurring in the brain and the central nervous system, and can actually contribute to heightened anxiety and depression in the long run.

On the other hand, responsible drinkers are able to prevent this. Cutting down on drinking helps boost their mental health and enables them to be more cognizant of their patterns and behaviors.

How Can You Practice Responsible Drinking
So, now that we’ve established the benefits of responsible drinking, how can you actually implement it in your daily life? Let’s look at a few ways to go about this.

Plan Your Drinks in Advance
You know how you plan your day, your meals, and your hangouts? Apply the same principle to your drinking habits. Set a goal of how much you want to drink per week or month, and plan your drinking accordingly.

The next time you head out to the club or are invited to a dinner party, pre-plan how much you want to indulge that evening. Set a limit to the number of drinks you’ll have, and stick to it. If you’ve already had too many drinks that week, consider crossing drinks off the list for that evening. Similarly, if you used to go to the bar every day after work, reduce the number of days you visit the place or the number of days you actually drink. Be mindful!

Hang Out with People with the Same Goals
You know what they say; there’s strength in numbers. Embarking on this journey may be a little intimidating if you’re doing it alone, but if you have a partner-in-crime, you’re more likely to accomplish your goals.
Seek individuals who’re on the same mission as you. If your current company lacks responsible drinkers, befriend new people who also want to drink in moderation and who you can hang out with every now and then to stay motivated. Plan activities together and enjoy each other’s company as you both aim to drink responsibly. It’s also best to limit contact with people who encourage excessive drinking or are in-supportive of your goals.

Be Alert of What “One Drink” Means for You
We’ve all had moments of weakness where we plan on getting just the one drink but end up drinking way more. Be cognizant of what happens every time you agree to “just one more drink”. Do you get tempted or pressured to have another? Have there been occasions recently where you got a little too drunk after agreeing to that extra drink?

Assess your patterns and be aware of them every time you find yourself thinking that one more drink wouldn’t do any harm.

Hangover Recovery Drinks
Even responsible drinkers can get hangovers sometimes. Don’t worry, though. With ADULTalyte’s range of hangover prevention supplements, you can effectively cure a nasty hangover. Their hangover recovery powder drink is available in multiple flavors such as Tropical Mimosa, Unicorn Candy, and Lemony Kick-It and can easily be purchased on their website.
Buy their hangover recovery powder drinks today to prevent and manage hangovers!