HEALTH + WELLNESS
HOW TO COPE WITH FOMA THIS CHRISTMAS CONT .
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Understand your triggers
Everyone ’ s alcohol soft spot is different . The whole ‘ wine o clock ’ mummy movement ( that ’ s recently come under fire , incidentally ) refers to that time when you ’ ve finally got the kids into bed and can reach for a bottle . Is it being in a pub or bar that makes it too tempting for you ? Are you actually ready to go out with friends who you know will be intent on chucking back G & Ts with wild abandon ? Or is it the idea of feeling that your Christmas dinner “ cheers !” won ’ t be as adequate with an orange juice instead of a buck ’ s fizz ? Playing all of these events through in your mind and making a mental checklist of those that make you feel uneasy and those that don ’ t will help you identify any potential pitfalls and work out how you can either swerve them entirely or manage them with forward thinking .
Keeping yourself busy is a brilliant tactic here too . If you know 6pm is your weak spot , book a fitness class at that time , head out for a walk , or busy yourself with a book – whatever floats your boat . Not planning for these moments can lead to unhealthy patterns re-emerging . Another good shout is to plan for something fun the morning after a party or social gathering – when you wake up fresh and can head for a hangover-free brunch with friends , you ’ ll feel anything but boring .
Get your alcohol-free tipples sorted
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This is important – a lot of people who attempt to knock drinking alcohol on the head , go back to it because they ’ re sick of soda and lime . From Sipsmith and Seedlip to Oddbird Spumante and Nosecco , there are some incredible and really tasty nonalcoholic tipples on the market these days . Having your favourites with you not only increases your chances of not being swayed into ‘ just one ’ glass of fizz , but also means your fellow guests are less likely to refill your glass ; if you already have a drink in hand , they don ’ t even need to know that what you are drinking is alcohol-free .
Practise the ‘ if … then …’ scenario a few times before you head into the festive season , and you ’ ll feel confident in both your decision and in what to do if things get tricky . Essentially , ‘ if ’ a certain situation arises , ‘ then ’ you ’ ll do this – for example , if you can feel the negative pull of FOMO on a night out , then make sure you have a glass of something you love , poured into a proper glass with ice and garnish to cheers with that will help sweep away those feelings of being left out . There is nothing wrong with admitting your quest for sobriety might occasionally be a struggle too , so if the going gets too tough , remove yourself from the situation entirely and try again when you feel more confident .
Have fun and shout about your achievements
Perhaps the most crucial thing to keep reminding yourself of is that choosing to be alcohol-free is not a punishment – for whatever reason , you ’ ve empowered yourself to make a choice that will make you feel happier and healthier , and that ’ s worth rewarding yourself for . While others may be suffering with sore heads and anxiety-inducing memories of slurring to aunty Pat across the dinner table , you ’ ll be fresh and fear-free , not to mention fully present to appreciate those bits of Christmas that you ’ ve missed before due to heavy drinking . You ’ re not boring , you ’ re sober , and as soon as this becomes something you ’ re proud of , you ’ ll fling yourself into a round of charades or have a dance to a Christmas classic just as readily as you would have before .
Don ’ t forget to reward yourself , too . Tot up the cash you ’ ve saved from not boozing on a night out and spend it on something you love . And remember to shout about how proud you are of taking a step to improve your physical and mental wellbeing – that warm and satisfying sense of accomplishment and pride ( not to mention lack of hangovers ) can ’ t be bought , so give yourself a pat on the back and stay focused ; you ’ ve got this .
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