How Mindfulness Prevents Heavy Drinking

How Mindfulness Prevents Heavy Drinking

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  www.alcoholaddictiongethelp.com How Mindfulness PreventsHeavy Drinking For all those who count on their daily glass of wine for a healthy heart, there’s a caveat. Drinking too much or too often can cause irreparable damage to various body organs and the brain. It could set off an addiction cycle that is hard to defeat and become the cause of despair, destruction and untimely death. As there is a thin line separating heavy drinking from chronic alcoholism, it is necessary to be aware of safe drinking practices, such as being mindful when one drinks. In a study conducted at the University College London, it was found that when one paid heed to the inner voice (mindfulness), the chances of one succumbing to excessive drinking were relatively less. It was also noticed that people who practiced relaxation exercises were also less likely to give in to their cravings. Art of mindful drinking There are many who have advocated moderation and mindfulness as effective ways of responsible drinking. As Carrie Wilkens, cofounder and clinical director of the Center for Motivation and Change in New York City, says, “It’s not unreasonable to have alcohol as a part of your life, as long as you are able to assess whether or not you are relying on it too much.” Drinking conscientiously is a way of knowing one’s limits and reminding oneself to stop. One can have his cake and eat it too, if he/she follows certain rules as given below: Being mindful about the time of drinking: It is extremely important that one is careful of the time one drinks. If one needs a drink the first thing on waking up, it could spell a drinking problem. If someone follows the footsteps of Don Draper from the Mad Men series and drinks at work, it may result in loss of productivity and eventually, the job. Being mindful who you drink with: For most adults, drinking in the company of loved ones is more of a fun activity and stress buster. However, as the popular adage goes, a man is known by the company he keeps, it also applies to drinking buddies. If the accompanists drink responsibly, then the likelihood of risky drinking behavior is relatively less.
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  www.alcoholaddictiongethelp.com Living without alcoholfor a week: One of the tricks for keeping the alcohol habit in check is going off the drinks for a week or more. In her book The Happiness Project, author Gretchen Rubin mentioned that when she took stock of her drinking habits, she found that it no longer made her the jolly old fellow she once was. Prolonged drinking affects one’s reasoning abilities but abstinence or short breaks help them reconnect to their old selves. Avoiding alcohol when depressed: One of the golden rules for sensible drinking is never to drink when one is depressed or feeling low. It is easier during such times to gulp down one drink after another as one quickly forgets the count. While the first drink feels like the elixir of life, a few drinks are enough to increase the blood alcohol content (BAC), decrease the heartbeat and impair cognitive functioning. It can also result in acute hangover symptoms and in some cases, alcohol poisoning. Counting the pints: The body’s ability to metabolize alcohol depends on gender, age and related factors. However, standards have been set to prevent the average American citizen from going overboard. According to the Dietary Guidelines for Americans 2015-2020, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and U.S. Department of Agriculture, a moderate drink can be defined as up to two drinks a day for adult men and one drink a day for adult women. One drink equals to one 12-ounce bottle of beer, 5 ounces of wine, or 1.5 ounces of 80-proof, distilled spirits. Consumption beyond these standards constitutes heavy or risky drinking. A moment of reckless drinking can turn disastrous any time. It is, therefore, advisable to go light on its use and let other healthy practices rule over life. Road to sobriety Drinking habit steadily takes control over the life of a person and is responsible for strained relationships, unemployment, homelessness, unintentional injuries and crime. In extreme conditions, it is also responsible for co-occurrence of mental disorders, such as depression and anxiety, and early mortality. If you know someone addicted to alcohol, the Alcohol Addiction Get Help experts can assist you in accessing one of the finest alcohol addiction treatment centers in Texas that specialize in delivering evidence-based intervention plans. Call our 24/7 helpline 866-281-3014 to know more.