You know when people in films wander through the desert and start hallucinating a tropical oasis in front of them? Now that I’m just about halfway through going sober for October, the same thing has started happening with rich, inviting glasses of wine; crisp bubbling beer; the most refreshing gin and tonics. They’re everywhere.
More than missing big nights out with lots of drinking – where the threat of a hangover has so far been enough of a reminder to put me off – it’s actually just the odd glass of wine with dinner that’s becoming a little more difficult to turn down. So I had a little think about why that is – what does that odd glass here and there give you that’s lacking from a soft drink?
It’s mainly the just-about-perceptible stress relief that comes from the subtly warm fuzz you get from that first drink. It eases out the stresses of the working day, lets you relax into the evening and often helps you sleep – plus, if you’re lucky, it tastes pretty great as well. You see? All plusses. It’s really tough to say no to something that basically has no downsides.
But, while you’d certainly enjoy a large glass of wine when you’re out for dinner with friends, try to realise the fact that you don’t need it to feel happy and chilled out. After all, you’re already out having dinner with your friends – you’ll be chatting, laughing and eating nice food whether you’re drinking alcohol or not, which is probably what actually makes you feel good, rather than the drink. And seeing as you’ll have saved at least a fiver by sticking to the soft stuff, it’s all the more reason to stay a little longer and have dessert…
So, while having that one glass of wine doesn’t really have any downsides, not having it has even more plusses. I’m no maths genius, but that seems like a win.
Take The Lunge 