Photo: Contiki
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Wellness and dietary practices come and go, making a name for themselves in the zeitgeist and then making room for the next thing. Currently, younger generations are buzzing (or perhaps not) about the sober curious lifestyle.
If you’ve heard this flying around before and are feeling a little confused, then feel out of the loop no more! This is everything you need to know about being sober curious.
What does sober curious mean?
The sober curious movement is basically a one which champions a more mindful approach to alcohol consumption. There’s a few different levels to it, but the sober curious movement encourages people to think about why they drink, when they drink, how much they drink, and how it makes them feel.
Image source:Contiki
Does this mean I can’t drink at all?
Not necessarily! Sober curiosity doesn’t mean you have to cut alcohol completely out of your life, just that you become more mindful of your alcohol consumption or take a break from alcohol.
For example, you could focus on quality instead of quantity, selecting drinks and alcohols that not only taste good but make you feel good. Or you could turn to non-alcoholic or low-alcoholic options.
What are the benefits of being sober?
Going totally sober or cutting down on your alcohol consumption has many known health benefits for both physical and mental wellbeing. Notable benefits include:
- Improved sleep
- Better digestive health and weight management
- Improved mood
- More energy
- Better concentration and memory
- Lower blood sugar and blood pressure
- Reduced risk of liver problems
Cutting down on your alcohol consumption can also benefit your wallet! Cocktails are delicious, but expensive, and if you limit yourself to only one on a night out – or none at all – you’ll find your spending money has doubled and you can have new experiences instead!
Image source:Contiki
Why might Gen Z be more likely to be sober curious?
Gen Z is often defined as a generation of change, and they are very aware of wellness, mental health, and mindfulness. The value of this stretches to lots of areas of life – work, for example, where Gen Z has set strong boundaries between their careers and personal lives, as demonstrated in our Voice of Generation survey.
Gen Z have embraced the sober curious lifestyle in an effort to focus on their wellbeing as they have recognized the harmful effects of alcohol as more than just a minor consequence from a fun night out. The financial benefits also impact Gen Z’s decision in becoming sober curious, as they are also the generation with the least amount of financial security.
How can I be sober curious?
If you would like to embrace the sober curious lifestyle as well, here is how!
1. Pay attention to your alcohol consumption
Instead of ordering the cheapest drink at the bar and indulging in a few too many glasses, why not opt for a non-alcoholic or low-alcohol option, or find a better quality drink to enjoy in moderation.
2. Consider your relationship with alcohol and why you drink
Is it purely social? Is it for the feeling of being drunk? Calling into question why you drink may help you find healthier alternatives instead. Consider the consequences of your alcohol consumption (hangover, memory loss, etc.) and weigh them against the reasons. Is it worth it?
3. Explore sober activities
Drinking alcohol at the bar or club is largely a social activity, but the good news is there are plenty of other social activities that don’t include alcohol. Take an art class for example and make friends there, or join your local run club or gym.
4. Participate in challenges
Things like Dry January are an opportunity for you to try out the sober curious lifestyle and see how you do. It could be that you notice benefits immediately, or perhaps you’ll notice just how high your usual alcohol consumption is. Setting yourself goals and challenges like this is a good way to keep yourself going when embracing this lifestyle.
Image source:Contiki
Sober curious travel
Travelling around the world while being sober curious is so easy – and yes you can still have some wild nights even without alcohol.
The key is to surround yourself with the right people who you won’t feel influenced by or who share your mindset. If you want to experience sober curious group travel then check out our brand new trips across the UK!
Have a soft drink or water at dinner, and fill your time with walking tours, cultural activities, and lounging by the beach instead of sitting at a bar. If you don’t want to completely cut alcohol out, then consider a local wine or whiskey tasting where you can still indulge but in a controlled environment.
Cutting down on alcohol or out of your life completely doesn’t have to make the rest of the world and your experiences dull. In fact, it may clear up your memories, and make them sparkle all the more.
