Alcohol: How to Lower Your Intake Without Cutting Your Night Short

Whether it’s going for a pint down the local pub, or enjoying a glass of wine with a meal, many of us like to wind down after a hard week’s work with a chat over a drink. In fact, social drinking has been a significant part of our culture in the UK for hundreds of years, and will no doubt continue to be for a number of years to come.

However, as we have become more knowledgeable of the effects which alcohol can have on the human body, the dangers of over-consumption are now more apparent than they have ever been. Government-run adverts stating the importance of responsible drinking aren’t there solely to reduce crime rates and make the streets safer – they’re there for the good of your health as well.

Drinking too much can lead to serious health problems, such as heart disease, and lead to dependency. So it’s important to stay within the limits recommended by the NHS as much as possible – for men, no more than three-to-four units a day, and for women, no more than two-to-three.

If you’re out with friends, lowering your alcohol intake needn’t stop you from enjoying the evening. No matter what people may tell you, you don’t have to get blind drunk to have a good time.

Here are just a handful of ways you can make your night last without having to drink too much:

Know Your Limit

We’ve all got one. It’s just that a lot of us don’t know where it lies. If you feel like the effects of the alcohol are catching up with you, don’t drink any more of it. Hail a cab home. If you really want to stay out for longer, switch to soft drinks instead.

Alternate

If you’ve got a long night out planned, try alternating between alcoholic and soft drinks. Breaking up your alcohol consumption in this way will lessen the effects of it and help you feel a lot better in the morning.

Pace Yourself

Take your time, and don’t rush for anyone. ‘Downing’ drinks is dangerous, and certainly not impressive.

Don’t Give In to Peer Pressure

Just because someone surprises you with a tray of dangerous-looking shots, doesn’t mean you have to drink them. At the end of the day, it’s your well-being that will be affected. Don’t be afraid to say no.

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