It all started at the beginning of June 2024 where I became “Sober Curious”! For those who are not familiar with the term, it refers to a movement and lifestyle that involves questioning one’s relationship with alcohol and exploring the benefits of cutting back on consumption or avoiding it altogether. Since my “Dry January” came to me five months later, call me a late bloomer, I thought I’d test out the waters and see what would happen if I jumped in with both feet and eliminated alcohol altogether. 

Although I’ve never been a big drinker, leaving my consumption primarily to the weekends and social gatherings, I did find it a form of relaxation and indulgence where I would have to admit that the “buzz” was a welcome anti-anxiety hit in social situations. 

And so, with a shift in mindset and a “Let’s see what will happen attitude” the anxiously but curiosity driven experiment began!

Thanks to “Gen Z” and their appetite for new experiences and the pursuit of the no-lo alternatives, the market for non-alcoholic drinks is booming, making my quest for social beverages a breeze.  

Here are things I discovered while taking a break from alcohol. The benefits blew my mind! 

Better Sleep:

Sleep deprivation has always been a huge challenge for me and while alcohol can make you feel tired and set you into deep slumber, it also has the propensity to disrupt your sleep cycle. By eliminating my intake, I discovered that I had more restorative sleep, far less bouts of insomnia and I felt more refreshed and energized each morning. Believing that sleep is the cornerstone to great health I’d chalked that one up as a big win!

Mood Booster & Confidence Builder:

While believing that indulging in a nice glass or two of Cab Sauv made me feel “chilled” and “less anxious,” which it did temporarily, it also brought on a bunch of unwanted side effects like mood swings, mild depression and yes, my anxiety shot up like a rocket in the after math. By sticking to non-alcoholic bevy’s, I not only learned to chill and go with the flow, I improved my emotional wellbeing in social situations. No more mood swings, my alcohol induced depression was gone and my shift in mindset around alcohol and social anxiety helped me feel more confident in both mind and body. Win number two!

Feeling Energized:

I would consider myself a mid to high energy kind of gal and getting together with friends for a weekend would no doubt be filled with activities, good eats, accompanied with an array of wine, spirits and beer. By switching to non alcohol offerings I found that I didn’t feel sapped of my energy by the next day. In fact, I felt more energized and lighter! Win number three!

Improved Skin:

Now this one might seem far-fetched but alcohol dehydrates the body which includes your skin that can lead to dryness, redness, inflammation, puffy eyes, zits and even premature aging. And being a “Boomer” I need all the help I can get! Coming up to my one-year anniversary of this “Sober Curious” experiment, I’ve discovered that my skin has undergone a noticeable change. Gone are the puffy eyes, unless I stuck my head in a whole bag of popcorn the night before, no more zits and my skin appears to be healthier and more radiant! Big win number four!

So, am I going to continue with this “Sober Curious” experiment? Hell yah! Not only did I undergo noticeable changes by cutting out alcohol, but I also improved my ability to communicate more clearly and effectively, and it has helped me connect more meaningfully with others leading to stronger and healthier relationships. I’m excited to see what other positive changes are on the horizon. Give it a try, it might blow your mind too!