What makes you reach for the bottle?

When you pour a glass of wine or ping the cap off a beer, do you ever think about what your motivation is?

Whether reaching for the corkscrew after a hard day at work or having a few beers in front of the football, there are certain situations that tend to go hand in hand with a drink.

Which of these characters best reflects your reasons for drinking alcohol?

The stress-head

You’ve done a solid eight hours in the office, up against deadlines, a demanding boss and fussy clients. And let’s not even start about your horrendous commute there and back. When you fall in the front door, blood pressure sky high, a relaxing drink is like water in the desert to you.   

Or perhaps you’ve been running around after children since the crack of dawn. Spending the day endlessly cooking, cleaning, changing nappies and breaking up squabbles has left you frazzled - and thirsty. The second bed-time arrives and out comes the wine.

Sound familiar? Figures from a recent NHS poll show that the reason almost half (42%) of drinkers drink is to unwind after a stressful day.

Cutting back

Alcohol may help you relax for an hour or two. But it can increase your stress levels overall. Alcohol is a depressant, which means that it slows down the brain and the central nervous system’s processes.  At first this can make you more relaxed and less wound up, but if you drink too much it can end up making you feel depressed, anxious – and more stressed.

There are lots of other things you can do to unwind. Hitting the gym or heading to a yoga class are some of the best. Or you could simply break into a box set you’ve always fancied, or phone a friend and share your frustrations.  

The bonus

You’ll free yourself from the vicious cycle of ‘stress – alcohol – more stress’. Sticking within the government's daily unit guidelines, which advise that men shouldn’t drink more than 3-4 units (equivalent to a pint and a half of 4% beer) and women no more than 2-3 units (equivalent to a 175ml glass of 13% wine) means you’ll feel much healthier overall.

Alcohol can also reduce the quality of your sleep so cutting back will also mean more rest, and you’ll be fighting fit to face the stresses of the day. And of course you’ll be cutting down your risk of serious health issues including cancer, liver disease and mental health problems.

The dinner time guzzler

For you, dinner isn’t complete without a glass of wine or two.

It all starts with the preparation. You love playing chef for family and friends, and a glass of wine while you cook up a storm is all part of the fun. But often that turns into two or three and oops...half the bottle’s gone before you even make it to the table. Then the rest goes during the meal. And thanks to being so ‘relaxed’ your beautiful dinner might end up a bit on the burned side too...

Cutting back

Why not save the alcohol until you sit down to eat? That way you’ll make sure your meal is perfect, and you’ll stay hydrated while slaving over your hot stove. You’ll also be alert for dinner time conversation. Take a look at our tips for a low-alcohol dinner party too.

If you’ve got some wine left over, no need to finish the bottle. Put the last bits in an ice cube tray, freeze them and use them in your cooking next time – wine can be great for sauces, marinades and gravy. Find out more here.

The bonus

Not drinking so much means fewer calories (did you know there are about 130 calories in a medium 175ml glass of wine? That’s the same as half a chocolate bar). So you can have some extra dessert, guilt-free. What could be better?

The sports fan

You love football. Rugby. Maybe a bit of cricket. Your perfect weekend is watching all the big matches on TV. Accompanied by a beer or two or three...

Cutting back

The last thing you want to do is miss the full euphoria of a screamer of a goal because you’ve drunk a bit too much. Often, you’ll be watching sport for a good couple of hours at least. So the key is to stick to the sensible limits and pace yourself. Having a soft drink for every alcoholic one will slow you down, as will eating – so get plenty of healthy snacks in. You could try some low alcohol beer too.

The bonus

Did you know for every unit of alcohol you drink, you produce an extra 80ml of urine (1)? Cut down and you won’t need to visit the bathroom so much – risking missing some key action.

Alcohol is also loaded with calories (there are up to 260 calories in a pint of premium 5% lager) so cutting back on the amount of alcohol you drink before, during and after the game all helps to keep your calorie consumption in check.

The ‘relax, it’s the weekend!’ drinker

Who doesn’t love it when Friday night finally rolls around? After a hard week, you can flop down on the sofa and look forward to a couple of days off. It’s time to celebrate, which may mean cracking open a bottle. But if the celebration  lasts though into Saturday night and even on to Sunday lunch you're in trouble.

Cutting back

Why not think about only drinking on one weekend evening as a compromise – either a Friday or a Saturday?

Keeping within the daily unit guidelines is important. But it can be difficult to keep track of what you’re drinking at home. If you drink spirits, buying a measuring cup is a good idea – otherwise you can easily pour far larger measures than you would get in a pub. Buying small (125ml) wine glasses will help you drink less and keep track too.

The bonus

You’ll feel much more alert over the weekend, so you can spend quality time with your family and friends. Less alcohol also means a better love life so you can enjoy that Saturday afternoon snuggle.

References

1.) Eggleton MG. 'The diuretic action of alcohol in man'. J Physiol 1942; 101: 172 & 191.

Page last updated by

Kate Prior, 31 Jan 2012.

Page checked on

23 Mar 2011