If youve noticed youre reaching for an extra glass of wine or beer (or spirit) to unwind lately, you're not alone.
A study published earlier this year in JAMA Network Open compared how U.S. adults reported using alcohol before the start of the COVID-19 pandemic and at two time points during it. The results? Adults indeed reported drinking more alcohol and doing so more frequently since the start of the worldwide health crisis.
Understandably, people have been faced with the task of managing a lot of uncertainty and factors that are out of our control, and that can be provoking, says Aimee Chiligiris, PsyD, an assistant professor of medical psychology (in psychiatry) at the Columbia University Medical Center in New York City who specializes in substance abuse.
Alcohol, for some people, can temporarily relieve anxiety. It can also be a distraction something to fill time, says Dr. Chiligiris. But while reaching for a drink whenever you feel anxious can provide temporary relief, it can also trigger a cycle of increased use that feeds on itself.
Whats more, its probably not helping you address the stressors youre facing.
Even if youre a casual drinker, Chiligiris says alcohol can have a boomerang effect on anxiety. For starters, alcohol can interfere with your sleep cycle, making it tougher to get a full night of quality rest. And we know poor sleep contributes to anxiety, so reaching for alcohol to calm your nerves becomes a vicious circle, she explains.
RELATED: 5 Sleep Remedies That May Not Work (and Could Do Harm)
If alcohol is your only means to relax, that's concerning, says Timothy Fong, MD, a professor of psychiatry and the director of the addiction psychiatry fellowship at the University of California in Los Angeles. Dr. Fong says hes concerned about the 10 to 19 percent of the population who find themselves drinking more heavily than usual because of pressures from the pandemic, according to the aforementioned JAMA study.
The real question is not how this increase in alcohol use is impacting us (heavier drinkers) now, but its effects in the next two to three to five years, he says, referring to how excessive drinking (defined as 8 to 15 drinks per week, depending on your gender) can increase your risk of heart disease, cancer, digestive issues, depression, and anxiety, according to the CDC.
Coronavirus anxiety aside, a growing pile of research tells us that regular alcohol consumption just isn't good for you. Increasingly, experts say probably no amount of alcohol is really okay for your health.
Though red wine has been touted as heart-protective thanks to antioxidants such as resveratrol, even low amounts of alcohol have been associated with atrial fibrillation, or a rapid, irregular heartbeat, according to a study published in 2016 in the Journal of the American Heart Association.
And theres even more research to show that excessive alcohol consumption can be detrimental to immune function (per a 2015 Alcohol Research study), and increases the risk of cancer, cognitive problems, and stroke.
The bottom line: Reasons abound to find alternative ways to kick back and relax rather than reaching for the bottle.
If youve been drinking more than youd like, try replacing happy hour or whatever drinking ritual you have with a nondrinking activity that will activate the reward centers in your brain and curb your craving. Trying new things and experiencing pleasure without alcohol use can definitely provide the same sort of pleasure reinforcement that you may be looking for with alcohol, Chiligiris says.
You dont have to abandon your cocktails entirely or the rituals you share with friends and family, Fong says. But add other routines to your repertoire that bring you a sense of calm and joy. Add to your toolbox, he says.
Here are a few alternatives to try.
Taking time to connect with friends cheers you up it releases feel-good hormones like serotonin and oxytocin. Oxytocin calms the stress response, and there's evidence it curbs the urge to stress drink, according to a review published in 2014 in the Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences. Spending time with friends may even help you live longer, research shows. Even if you cant hang out like you used to, a long walk outside with a buddy or a video chat can have the same mood-boosting effect.
Fong says working out a bike ride, a walk, or cueing up a virtual HIIT class can alleviate the stress that drives us to drink. Plus, it will give you a shot of endorphins a chemical the body makes that triggers positive feelings.
If you dont want to bail on your weekly Zoom happy hour, there are plenty of non-alcoholic drinks that are just as tasty without the booze.
Instead of concocting your favorite cocktail, mix up a virgin version, or brew some soothing chamomile tea, which has its own calming properties, according to a study published this year in the International JournalofBiological Macromolecules.
Fong says meditation can help you relax as much as a vodka martini can. Alcohol chills us out by drowning out the noise and stress. Meditation, on the other hand, helps actually quiet the brain by relieving stress (rather than just covering it up), Fong explains.
Try using a meditation app to get you in the habit. Just remember to put your phone down for a while afterward doomscrolling or watching the news will just fire up your brain again.
Theres something very, very joyful about putting on your favorite music and dancing around the room by yourself, says Fong. Music releases dopamine, the same feel-good chemical that gets released in the brain when we drink alcohol, a study in the Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences in 2019 showed.
Fong says tending to household projects youve long neglected can help distract you from the urge to drink as hard as they are to convince yourself to do. No one wants to clean out the closet, but when you actually do it, it brings an immense amount of joy, he says.
Dont be hard on yourself if your new happy hour habits take a few tries to catch on. Chiligiris says that once her patients make a change, they recognize that their overall quality of life has improved. They sleep better, are less anxious, and have more energy a virtuous cycle.
View post:
6 Alcohol-Free Ways to Unwind at the End of a Long Day - Everyday Health
- 6 Reasons to Supplement With Resveratrol | Men's Fitness [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 1st, 2017]
- resveratrol | eBay [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2017]
- Natural Biology - 100% Pure and Natural Vitamins [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2017]
- SuperPure Resveratrol Extract - The Synergy Company [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2017]
- Resveratrol: Benefits and Uses - Verywell [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2017]
- Resveratrol | Which Works Best | Facts About Side Effects [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2017]
- Resveratrol - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 20th, 2017]
- Sirtuin - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2017]
- Resveratrolthe hype continues - Harvard Health Blog ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2017]
- Resveratrol: Red Wine Antioxidant for Health - WebMD [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 26th, 2017]
- Resveratrol Lift Eye Lifting Balm - Caudalie | Sephora [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 29th, 2017]
- Resveratrol Lift Firming Serum - Caudalie | Sephora [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2017]
- New Study Touts Big Health Benefits of Resveratrol [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 6th, 2017]
- Resveratrol | Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 13th, 2017]
- Resveratrol supplement, dosage and health benefits [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 15th, 2017]
- Purple Defense, Water-Soluble Source of Resveratrol [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 25th, 2017]
- This Ingredient Will Give You Smoother, Brighter Skin [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 21st, 2018]
- Diabetes (4 Types) and Thyroid Health [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 21st, 2018]
- Resveratrol: Benefits and Uses [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 24th, 2018]
- Resveratrol: Benefits and Uses - verywellfit.com [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: February 28th, 2018]
- Top 16 Scientific Health Benefits of Resveratrol (With ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 11th, 2018]
- Resveratrol Extract Powder - Z Natural Foods [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 26th, 2018]
- Resveratrol: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions, Dosage, and ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: April 28th, 2018]
- Pterostilbene vs Resveratrol [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2018]
- What Is Resveratrol? | Herbal Library [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2018]
- Do Flavonoids in Red Wine Help You Live Longer? [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2018]
- Can Resveratrol Fight Aging? | Berkeley Wellness [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2018]
- Top 10 Resveratrol Health Benefits - Health Articles 101 [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2018]
- Resveratrol Supplements | Resveratrol Supplement | Buy ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2018]
- Resveratrol and Fertility | Egg quality, PCOS and ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: May 11th, 2018]
- Resveratrol - Phytochemical [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 15th, 2018]
- Resveratrol Lift Face Lifting Soft Cream - Caudalie | Sephora [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: June 23rd, 2018]
- Resveratrol - Herbs Database | RawlsMD [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 7th, 2018]
- Amazon.com: Reserveage - Resveratrol 500mg, Antioxidant ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 8th, 2018]
- Resveratrol Effectiveness, How It Works, and Drug ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 11th, 2018]
- Resveratrol: Dietary Supplements, Nutrition | eBay [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: July 27th, 2018]
- Resveratrol 99% (HPLC) | Sigma-Aldrich [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2018]
- Resveratrol | A Beginners Guide (UPDATE: 2018) | 10 Things ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: August 26th, 2018]
- Resveratrol Effectiveness, Safety, and Drug Interactions on ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 20th, 2018]
- Resveratrol - Alzheimer's News Today [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 7th, 2018]
- Resveratrol does provide anti-aging benefits, study shows ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2018]
- Resveratrol: The Healing Molecule In Red Wine - Red Supplements [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 9th, 2018]
- 7 Health Benefits of Resveratrol Supplements [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 27th, 2018]
- Resveratrol - Evolutionary.org [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 3rd, 2018]
- Health effects of wine - Wikipedia [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: December 8th, 2018]
- foodsthatfightcancer_grapes_and_grape_juice | American ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: January 24th, 2019]
- Resveratrol Benefits, Resveratrol Sources & More - Dr. Axe [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 5th, 2019]
- Red wine and resveratrol: Good for your heart? - Mayo Clinic [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: March 23rd, 2019]
- Resveratrol Benefits, Side Effects and Sources - Dr. Axe [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 14th, 2019]
- Resveratrol Supplements Are Finally Put to the Test ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2019]
- Best Resveratrol Supplement Benefits vs Side Effects Review [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2019]
- Resveratrol Supplements | Resveratrol Benefits | Piping ... [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: September 29th, 2019]
- Resveratrol - an overview | ScienceDirect Topics [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2019]
- Resveratrol Foods: The 17 Highest Sources To Supplement With [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2019]
- Resveratrol Side Effects and Health Hazards [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2019]
- How to Choose the Best Resveratrol Supplements (2019 Update) [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2019]
- Ranking the best resveratrol supplements of 2019 [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 4th, 2019]
- 10 Resveratrol Benefits for Heart, Mind, & the Fountain of Youth [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 14th, 2019]
- 21 Resveratrol Benefits + Dosage, Side Effects - SelfHacked [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 24th, 2019]
- Alcoholic People are Shifting to Drinking Red Wine Daily to Improve their Health - One World Herald [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2019]
- Nature's Viagra: 7 Foods and Supplements to Boost Your Libido - Healthline [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2019]
- How One Company Is Working To Improve The Quality & Duration Of Sleep For Americans - GirlTalkHQ [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2019]
- Use of natural extracts as feed additives - All about feed [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: October 29th, 2019]
- Is The World Ready For A Super-Wine? Raise A Glass To Israeli Vino Innovation | Health News - NoCamels - Israeli Innovation News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2019]
- One type of food could help reverse aging, thanks to resveratrol - Inverse [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 2nd, 2019]
- How and why to boost your intake of antioxidants - Seattle Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 3rd, 2019]
- 6 Winter Fruits That You May Include In Your Diabetes Diet - NDTV Food [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Bordeaux wine launched to the International Space Station for science - ZME Science [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Resveratrol Market Report to Share Key Aspects of the Industry with the details of Influence Factors - Health News Office [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Resveratrol Market is Projected to Register at a Healthy CAGR of 8.1% During the Forecast Period 2018 2028 - Global Banking And Finance Review [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Paranormal wine: Space and wine x2 - Aspen Daily News [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Rimrock Gold Corp. Announces the Launch of Acqua CBD Coffee Infused with Resveratrol - GlobeNewswire [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 8th, 2019]
- Heres how you can shield yourself from air pollution with these natural remedies - Hindustan Times [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2019]
- Resveratrol Market Strategies and Insight Driven Transformation 2019-2027 - The Denton Chronicle [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2019]
- Growth Opportunities in the Resveratrol Supplements Market Strategic Analysis and Forecast to 2028 - TheFinanceTime [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2019]
- From Avocation To Vocation: How I Turned My Hobby Into A Career With Dr. Glen Miller of Vera Roasting Company - Thrive Global [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2019]
- Trans Resveratrol Market Growing Popularity and Emerging Trends 2019 to 2025 Business and Transportation - .Automotiveindustrytrend [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 13th, 2019]
- 5 Effective Ways To Fight Inflammation - Medical Daily [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- What the industry needs to know about polypharmacology - NutraIngredients-usa.com [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]
- Cardioprotective properties found in pterostilbene: Study - NutraIngredients-usa.com [Last Updated On: August 18th, 2024] [Originally Added On: November 23rd, 2019]