Have you ever considered these healthy alcohol alternatives before?

When it comes to alcohol alternatives, a lot of us think about things like sodas and other types of beverages. And while you may not think that alcohol consumption is a problem for you, it can be a lot for many people, especially after we went through the pandemic a few years ago.

Surveys have shown us that alcohol has become a great coping mechanism for a lot of people, and even if it does not become an addiction, as we have seen happen with people who struggle with this over the years, it has become something people do more often. Researchers have found out that a lot of people turn to alcohol, with about 14% of people reporting that they turn to an alcoholic beverage at the end of the day.

With alcohol sales increasing from one year to another, it is high time that we take a look at ourselves and try to find some other coping mechanisms. The bright side of the issue is that there are a lot of alcohol alternatives out there that do not involve finding another dependency on something or replacing the habit with something that could cause you issues in the long run (like over-snacking can do in cases where people are trying to stop smoking).

Be it that you have seen that you turn to alcohol more often than you did before or that you want to pick up some better habits and do not know what to do, make sure that you check out our list of alcohol alternatives and pick something that would fit you best!

Have you ever tried any of these alcohol alternatives before? Let us know what your personal experience with alcoholic beverages has been in the comments below!

Sometimes you just need a break

Yes, it may be a bit weird to think about something like this as an alcohol alternative, but sometimes taking a break is the best thing you can do when you feel like you need a drink. What you truly need is a break, as you are starting to feel overwhelmed, and instead of self-soothing with an alcoholic beverage, taking a few moments for yourself is the best choice.

Five minutes are the most optimal, but we know that in certain cases that seems like too long, so specialists in this field recommend that you start with one minute. All you have to do is close your eyes and take a few deep, slow breaths, releasing any tension you may be holding in your body (especially in your shoulders).

A great way to turn this break into something positive and take away the feelings that are making you feel bad is to imagine things that make you calm and loved: your partner, your kids, your best friend, your pet, or any loved one that would bring you some peace. You can also try to bring some positive affirmations to the package and even imagine your favorite and important people telling you if it will help you.

Taking a break as a form of alcohol alternative has been proven successful, as instead of wallowing in the moment with the feelings that are pushing you towards alcohol, you are taking a break for yourself, working through the fog in your mind.

Turn exercise into something fun

Indeed, exercise is a great alcohol alternative, and it should not be as surprising as it can be. Exercise can be a great source of serotonin, and it is a great way to get that boost of energy and good feelings that a drug may induce in you.

However, exercise can end up being intimidating, especially if you think about it in terms of having to do a whole workout routine. Do not sabotage yourself by going down a spiral and choosing not to do anything because it is not “proper exercise”. Exercise can be anything you want it to be, be it doing 20 sit-ups, going on a walk around the block, or even running up and down your stairs for 10 minutes!

These types of exercises will help you increase your blood flow, bring more oxygen to your brain, and release hormones that will help your brain function better and bring about a better mood. It will help melt away stress and help you make better choices!

Meditation

Since we have talked about exercise as a way to boost your mood and a great alcohol alternative, we cannot ignore the fact that medication is another good method that will also help you catch a break. It may seem like a waste of time, especially if your view of meditation includes sitting on crossed legs for hours on end, but the reality is extremely different.

Studies have shown that even as little as 13 minutes of meditation each day for about eight weeks can help you calm down anxiety and lift your mood, something that can also help you avoid reaching out to an alcoholic beverage.

And like with taking a break, when you are feeling overwhelmed and 13 minutes sounds like way too much, start with a smaller time frame and work your way up. There is no good or bad way to do it, so listen to your body and mind and apply the option that works for you.

If you are new to meditation, you can try the guided one until you get the hang of it, as you can easily follow the instructions given to be able to destress. It may seem a bit weird at first, but you will find it more and more natural as time passes.

Do not disregard walks

You probably thought we would get to this, especially since we mentioned exercise earlier. One of the biggest reasons a lot of people turn to alcohol is mental health and a great alcohol alternative to calming the storm inside your mind is to go outside. Whether you choose to take a long walk or you walk and sit by the sun for a little bit, it is going to have a great positive impact on you.

Not only will it help you as an alcohol alternative and help you not reach for such beverages as often, but it will also help you regulate your sleeping patterns, which are definitely going to help you feel better in the long run.

Just keep in mind that if you are going on a walk when the sun is at its brightest, you should always use good sunscreen, along with sunglasses and a hat. Never forget your water bottle!

Mocktails!

This is probably the easiest way to find an alcohol alternative! While you may not think that mocktails are enjoyable or that they will ever compare with the booze, in the end, they are easy to make and delicious, and when you are craving something, they are the best option out there!

Like with any great cocktail, they can be balanced and combine the best of all worlds: tangy, sweet, and tart! There are so many recipes out there that you are bound to find one that you are going to love that is completely new to you or that is the non-alcoholic version of your favorite ones! Do not knock this option down before you give it a fair chance.

If you are looking for some more mocktail inspiration, the Mocktail Party book from Amazon has been a lifesaver for us!

There are a lot of beverages that we think are good for us, but they end up proving to be detrimental to our health! Sometimes we rely on certain drinks more than we can imagine; the easiest example is coffee. If you are curious about the effects of this quintessential morning drink on your body, make sure you read our article here!