I've been taking part in dry January for several years now. I find that after the festive season I benefit hugely from having a month away from alcohol. It helps me to understand and reassess my relationship with alcohol and to reflect on where I'd like that to go in the future. It also gives my body, particularly my liver, a break and reminds me that I am in control and don't need to have an alcoholic drink to have a good time. Some of the known benefits of not drinking alcohol can include a clearer mind, more energy, better sleep and a healthier approach to eating.
Everyone has their own personal relationship with alcohol, some good, some bad and some somewhere in the middle. This may be influenced by our own personal beliefs, our culture, our peer groups and what are considered social norms. It may also be influenced by, and indeed influence, our habits, experiences and state of mind, making it a complex relationship.
There is a lot of information out there for us to read, watch and listen to about alcohol which to some can be confusing at times. For instance, there are some who advocate that red wine is good for you as it contains Resveratrol which is a naturally occurring antioxidant that can help to reduce stress. However drinking too much red wine can lead to increases in blood pressure and the risk of developing serious conditions such as cancer or liver disease. The NHS recommend that men and women do not drink more than 14 units per week (www.nhs.uk) yet many people still don't know what constitutes a single unit of alcohol. Understandably we can get overwhelmed with too much information and sometimes choose to ignore it.
So how can Hypnotherapy help with managing alcohol? Hypnotherapy supports us to to change our behaviour and thought process by focusing on the deeply formed beliefs and reasoning related to our drinking habits. The reasons behind drinking habits can range from low self-esteem and lack of confidence to health problems and financial worries. Remember everyone is different and has different needs. By using techniques such as positive visualisation and reframing we can develop new and healthier habits. So whether you want to reduce the amount you drink, feel more in control of your drinking or stop drinking alcohol altogether, Hypnotherapy can be an effective therapy to support you.