Keeping well
Having a glass of wine or one or two refreshing beers while out with friends isn’t going to play havoc with your health, provided you pay attention to the Government’s guidelines on suggested intake. The guidelines recommend that women should not regularly exceed 2-3 units daily and that men should not regularly exceed 3-4 units daily.
Listen to your body’s needs and take care of yourself and you’ll find it much easier to enjoy that delicious Merlot with a clearer conscience.
There are a few simple guidelines one can follow to ensure you stay on top form.
Waist not, want not
Building exercise into your regular routine is good practice, whether you drink or not. It helps with your mental and physical health, gets those feel-good hormones pumping around your body, keeps you trim and even improves bone density. If you sometimes feel like having a drink to calm your post-work stress, exercise can be a great alternative.
Regular bites
Many weight-conscious men and women who like a drink are slipping into the habit of fasting during the day so that they can ‘spend’ the calories on booze. Drinking alcohol on an empty stomach is not good for your health – far better to eat three low-fat, healthy meals and day and then cut back a bit on the wine in the evening.
Slow-releasing, complex carbs, such as whole-wheat bread, pulses or brown rice, give your body more energy for longer. Combine them with lots of vegetables and some lean protein and you’ll be the life and soul of the party, without having to turn to alcohol to keep your spirits high.
Take a break
Giving yourself at least two or three days off alcohol each week gives your liver a chance to rest and recuperate. It was not designed to fight a constant barrage of booze, so if you treat it more kindly and allow it some respite, you’ll help ward off booze-related liver problems and stay in tip-top condition.
Deep breaths
Grumpy with colleagues or so shattered from work you slump on the sofa? A certain amount of adrenaline is common for most busy professionals, but too much stress can have a negative effect on the body and play havoc with your personal life. Its effects are worse if you turn to the booze, to help deal with stress.
Learn how to nip stress in the bud and incorporate stress busting techniques into your routine: breathing deeply while under duress lifts the lid off the pressure-cooker; exercise is a fantastic stress-reliever and you’ll feel happier afterwards; look into taking some kind of meditation or yoga class, and take time to enjoy life – walk more slowly when you can and enjoy the company of friends and family.
- Page last updated by
- Root User, 19 Apr 2010.
- Page checked on
- 16 Sep 2008
