Wellbeing Hub
Check out our Wellbeing Hub with health and fitness tips to make the most of your sober month!
I gave up alcohol ten months ago and here’s what’s happened since
By Scott Pearson on
I used to wake up with a feeling of dread. You know, that feeling that you’ve said or done the wrong thing in a drunken stupor? Sometimes I’d have to do my best Poirot and piece the night together from stories others told me of my behaviour, along with Uber email receipts and transactions on my banking apps. After too many years of making the same mistakes, and realising I only had myself to blame for my rising anxiety, poor fitness, and debt levels to challenge those of a small country, I knew something had to give.
In October 2018 I woke up one morning with the worst hangover of my life, and from that point on I knew my relationship with alcohol was over. The important thing to mention is, that even when I was drinking, my life wasn’t awful by any stretch of the imagination, but since giving up I now realise what it means to be truly content and to realise my full potential, every single day.
In the ten months that I’ve chosen to be sober:
- I got a new job (and passed the probationary period early)
- Cleared 40% of the debt I had accumulated
- Have been able to focus on building relationships with my family and friends that are stronger than ever
- My fitness improved and I completed the London Marathon
- Travelled to more places than ever before, including Vienna, Spain, France and soon Greece
To say my life has changed for the better would be the understatement of the century. And for whatever reason you’re taking on Go Sober, you’ll start to see the benefits too. Whether they’re small or big changes, a sober month really does have its perks.
Find @theboywhodranktoomuch on Instagram for tips on being a Soberhero.
Now’s the time! Go Sober this October
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10 Hacks to get you through Go Sober
By Juliet Hodges, Bupa UK on
Bupa UK’s behaviour change advisor Juliet Hodges shares her top ten hacks to help all those who are going booze-free.
Believe in yourself
You might be feeling apprehensive about a whole month without alcohol and wondering if you have the willpower to last a full 31 days. Research shows that yes, you do – as long as you believe you do. People who believe that willpower is unlimited tend to be better at dealing with tasks that require self-control, and also tend to be happier. Tell yourself that you can do it, and it’s more likely that you will!
Get your friends on board
Our friends and family are vital to our success with this kind of thing , – they can either be your biggest supporters, or biggest liability if they’re determined to get...
Setting goals
By Mel Ingram on
Many of us set ourselves tasks and goals to achieve what we feel will make a difference to our lives. Sometimes we find it difficult to achieve these goals as the journey becomes too long, too hard or it simply gets overshadowed by other ‘higher priority’ tasks and therefore these goals are pushed to the side.
Start by asking yourself some simple questions that can help you take control of your life and achieve your goals –
- What are you trying to achieve?
- What are your habits and what do you want to change?
- What have you achieved in life?
- Do you live in the moment?
What are trying to achieve and what is your ultimate goal?
Is it to live cleanly, train for a 10km fun run, sleep better, lose weight, drink more water, change careers, start a...
Tips on cutting down after your Sober October
By Go Sober Team on
Carry on your good work from October through to November and beyond. Here are some practical tips if you want to try to cut down on the amount of alcohol you’re drinking.
Quench your thirst!
Before you start drinking, quench your thirst with a non-alcoholic drink.
Drink slowly
Have a drink of water with your alcoholic drink.
Make every second drink non-alcoholic
Alternate between alcoholic and non-alcoholic drinks. This will help space out your drinks.
Eat when you drink
Eat food when you’re drinking, but avoid salty foods – these make you thirstier.
Dilute your alcoholic drinks
For example, a shandy (beer with lemonade) or a wine spritzer (wine with mineral water).
Treat yourself
Alcohol isn’t the only thing you can indulge in. Why not try...
