Making the decision to give up alcohol can be a life-altering choice, one that often has a profound impact on various aspects of your life, including productivity. While there are numerous benefits to quitting alcohol, such as improved physical and mental health, there can also be potential downfalls that need careful consideration.
From a personal perspective, I gave up drinking alcohol in the summer of 2022 for a few reasons
It's now been over year since I stopped drinking alcohol. so thought I'd share some reflections.
It maybe that as we head towards January, people may think about stopping, either as part of a challenge, they've enjoyed the festive period and want a break. Whatever your reason and your intention - hopefully this blog will help provide a guide to some of things you may experience.
A final note from me about my personal experience. I don't think I've found the physical act of drinking as hard to give up as I'd thought, rather found the affects from a mental health perspective probably trickier.
We've all noticed that alcohol impairs cognitive function, affecting our ability to concentrate and make clear decisions. When we remove alcohol from the equation, your mind becomes sharper, allowing us to focus on tasks with greater precision.
One of the immediate benefits of quitting alcohol is been having improved sleep. Without the disruptions alcohol can cause, I experienced more restful and restorative sleep, leading to higher energy levels during the day.
Giving up drinking can lead to more productive use of our time. You may find that you have extra hours in the day, as you're no longer spending time drinking, recovering from hangovers, or dealing with the consequences of alcohol-related incidents. I regularly get up earlier to do my own yoga or workout at the start of the day, when perhaps I may have wanted an extra hour's sleep.
No drinking can lead to better overall health, which in turn can enhance productivity. You'll have fewer sick days, better physical stamina, and improved mental well-being, all contributing to your ability to perform at your best.
Quitting alcohol can improve your personal and professional relationships. You'll be more reliable, accountable, and emotionally available to those around you, leading to healthier connections that can positively impact your work life.
In many social and professional settings, alcohol is a common lubricant for social interaction. Giving up alcohol may lead to feelings of isolation or pressure to conform, which can be challenging to navigate. Think about it - when someone gives up smoking they are often congratulated. In contrast, when you say you've given up drinking, generally people ask what the reason is - almost to help justify why it may not apply to them.
For some, alcohol serves as a coping mechanism for stress or anxiety. Without it, you may need to find alternative ways to manage these emotions effectively. As noted in the introduction, I somewhat fell into this trip and have had to work hard to ensure that I have different ways to manage stress and anxiety such as exercise, breathwork, yoga and importantly better communication with loved ones.
The process of quitting alcohol can be physically and emotionally uncomfortable. You may experience withdrawal symptoms or cravings, which can temporarily affect your productivity. I don't think I really felt this, probably as I had a clear reason for initially stopping.
Giving up alcohol may prompt you to reevaluate your social life, including the places you frequent and the people you spend time with. This process can be emotionally taxing and time-consuming. Over the whole process, the vast majority of people have been supportive after the initial questions of what my reason was. If people aren't supportive then you may not want to spend as much time with them.
Replace old drinking habits with new, productive routines. Incorporate exercise, meditation, or other wellness practices to fill the void left by alcohol. You can of course still go out when you are not drinking alcohol and the great news is that the non alcoholic beers certainly taste better than they did. Sometimes, having a non alcoholic beers puts other people more at ease around you as it is less obvious that you are not drinking.
Surround yourself with a support network of friends, family, or a sober community who understand your journey and can provide encouragement during challenging times. Fortunately I had a really good Uni mate that has also stopped drinking. He has been an invaluable support - not because I was tempted to start drinking again but to share how much more productive we feel (and to go on boys ski trips together!).
Develop healthy coping mechanisms to deal with stress and emotional challenges. Techniques like mindfulness, journaling, or therapy can be invaluable in this process. This was something I really need to work on - and was a bit of a surprise for me. For me meditation, breathwork, exercise and sleep were important - but probably the most critical was making sure I was communicating more clearly with loved ones.
Keep a journal or use productivity apps to track your progress. More simply - just keep track of the days you haven't drunk for and any key milestones such as Thanks Giving (Shannon is American), Christmas, New Year, Holidays etc...Once you get into the swing of it - stopping drinking really does become easier.
No matter how small, to stay motivated. Obviously not with a drink but other rewards could be massages, shopping or weekend's away depending on our interests and budget.
If you find it particularly challenging to adjust to a sober lifestyle or face significant emotional struggles, consider seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor.
Quitting alcohol can have a profound impact on productivity, offering benefits like increased clarity, improved time management, and enhanced physical health.
However, it's essential to be aware of potential challenges such as social pressure, coping mechanisms, and initial discomfort. When I stopped drinking alcohol perhaps these were a bit of a surprise to me. If you are thinking of stopping drinking then I'd like to think that this blog can help prepare you a little more.
With careful planning, support, and the development of healthy habits, you can harness the positive aspects of sobriety to elevate your productivity and overall quality of life.
Remember that the journey to productivity after quitting alcohol is unique to each individual, and it's okay to seek help and take it one step at a time.
Ultimately, giving up drinking can be a powerful catalyst for personal and professional growth that makes you feel better - in what ever way that is.
Of all the My Life Tonics giving up alcohol is potentially the hardest and biggest 'sudden' change that I've gone though - but one that looking back am most pleased about. If you have any questions, please do get in touch.
