Sober curiosity: What is it and what are the benefits?

A growing movement among celebrities, influencers and people alike, those who are sober curious choose not to consume alcohol for personal and wellbeing reasons. They don’t necessarily have a dependence on alcohol, and may not be looking to give up for good, but are curious to see how their lives might be positively impacted by avoiding alcohol more regularly.

While alcohol is fine in moderation, taking a break from drinking gives you the space to understand how it is impacting your life. A drinking pause can help you be more mindful about when and how you enjoy alcohol. After all, it is not uncommon in our society to celebrate with a drink, commiserate with a drink, relax with a drink, build excitement with a drink… it’s no wonder that people feel like they could do with a break!

If this sounds like you, below are a few strategies designed to get you off the alcohol merry-go-round, while still enjoying time with friends, family and work colleagues.

Curious about sober curiosity

The idea of taking a break from alcohol is nothing new. Dry July, Dry January and Sober October are all month-long initiatives encouraging people to stay away from the booze. And there are good reasons to do so. Those who abstain from alcohol may experience benefits including¹:

• increased energy
• clearer skin
• better sleep
• weight loss
• lowered blood pressure
• improved memory and focus
• improved relationships with loved ones
• reduced anxiety²
• increased savings, with less money being spent on alcohol.

Once you have set yourself a goal of how much time away from alcohol you want to enjoy, it’s a great idea to share this with friends and family. Not only will their support help you to stay on track, but you might also gain some willing companions.

Consider your options

So, as we head into the festive season, you’ll want to be thinking about alternatives to catching up with friends for a drink. Consider the options below, and you might even find that you enjoy yourself more than you would trying to hear each other over the noise of a crowded pub.

• Go for an evening walk – bonus points for watching the sunset or enjoying an ocean breeze
• Meet up for your morning coffee
• Swap after-work drinks for lunch at a local cafe
• Find an outdoor cinema screening your favourite movie
• Join an exercise class with a friend
• Have a picnic in the park
• Visit friends at home, or invite them round to your house with the promise of a non-alcoholic bubbly

What should I drink instead?

The list of non-alcoholic drink options is growing, with non-alcoholic beers, wines and spirits now available. There are even entire bottle shops dedicated to non-alcoholic options which still have the look and appeal of their alcoholic cousins. Obviously, water is a great option for hydration, but if you are looking for something with a little more flavour to keep you in the mood then consider:

• Soda water with some fresh lime
• Kombucha
• Natural fruit juices
• Mocktails made with blitzed up fruits, fresh lime and topped up with soda water.

Cutting down on alcohol can have a host of advantages, and with a little imagination and curiosity, you might just discover a new way to have a great night out.

¹https://www.health.gov.au/health-topics/alcohol/about-alcohol/how-can-you-reduce-or-quit-alcohol

²https://www.healthline.com/health/alcohol-and-anxiety