It’s the end of July as I write this post and Rowan and I are both proud to say that we were ‘Dry in July’. We didn’t actually sign up and ask for sponsorship, we really did this for ourselves; as a personal challenge. Call us crazy but we gave up coffee too – even our GP thought that was amazing.
We both like a drink, we enjoy good wine, a fine scotch whisky or a refreshing gin and tonic, maybe a beer in hot weather. The chances of us giving up for good are pretty slim, but our experience has taught us a few things.
Our drinking is a habit and at times totally lacking in mindfulness. Now I’m not suggesting that planning to share a meal and a glass of wine lacks mindfulness (although it might). I’m talking about getting up to the living room, telling yourself you have had a challenging day and reaching for the bottle. That is a habit, pure and simple.
It was really useful for us to have the opportunity to recognise this behaviour. We also found it surprisingly easy to not indulge. Now keep in mind that during this month our 60 Minutes segment was aired. It was an exciting and stressful time running up to the show going live and normally we would have toasted ourselves after the program aired. We even managed to get through all that without a drink. Yes, there was a bottle of bubbly in the fridge ready for August but the point is we were able to resist ‘in the moment’; we exercised our self-control.
The next thing we noticed was that we both started getting a much better night’s sleep; that was an unexpected bonus. In discussing this with our GP, she advised that whilst drinking alcohol initially boosts serotonin levels (essential for good sleep), over time a constant presence of alcohol in the system will deplete serotonin levels. She also added that even after 3 weeks of abstinence our physical systems would still contain alcohol. Of course the other impacts of lowered serotonin might be depression and anxiety. It is fair to say the research findings are mixed on this connection, but it is worth considering.
Certainly the “Annual alcohol poll 2016: Attitudes and behaviours” conducted by Galaxy Research on behalf of the Foundation for Alcohol Research and Education’s (FARE) found that “There’s a big difference between how Australians expect to feel when drinking alcohol and the reality of how they actually feel after their last drinking episode, with the nation’s most comprehensive annual alcohol poll finding there’s less upside and more downside than drinkers imagine.”
One of the interesting findings was “Older Australians who consume alcohol are more likely to drink on more occasions in one week, with 38% of those 50 years and over consuming alcohol on three days or more, compared to 25% of 35 to 49 year olds, 17% of 25 to 34 year olds and 5% of 18 to 24 year olds.” Why is that I wonder? Is it because we are bored, because we have more time on our hands and don’t have to turn up for work, or because alcohol is our ‘drug of choice’ compared to younger generations?
So back to Rowan and me. Neither of us lost any weight but that was probably due to compensating behaviours (ummm, like chocolate and ice cream). The really good news for me was that as a sufferer of high blood pressure, this week I had a good result for the first time in years. That in itself was very pleasing, but I’m not sure how my blood sugar will be after all the other indulgences! Maybe not drinking coffee contributed to the good result too, although I only drink decaf anyway and I have certainly consumed more tea, so I’m not so sure.
So why should you care about Dry in July? Well, I’m not about to tell anyone how to live their life but there is research emerging that some elderly Australians have drinking problems. That was a real surprise to me; the media is always telling us about drinking problems with our youth population. I guess we tend to think that by and large we ‘grown ups’ are far more civilised and well behaved than the younger generations, but perhaps not when it comes to alcohol consumption.
So, what do you think? Have you noticed your consumption creeping up as you age? Does it make you feel better or worse? Could you do Dry in July? Could you give it up completely?
Libby Boyle from Libby's Lifes | 30th August 2016 at 2:21 pm
I fully understand the “habit” forming nightly drink. We found it a very easy thing to fall into. And then one drink became two and sometimes three. I know that’s not a lot, but it was more than I felt comfortable with. So, we made a plan. We drink on Friday, Saturday and Sunday nights. Just a couple. Of course, we have a drink outside those times if we have visitors or go out somewhere, but it has made me more comfortable with who I am and how I want to live my life. I now it’s not a plan that will work for everyone, but it works for us. We don’t want to completely give up. We just want to drink sensibly.
Jan from Retiring Not Shy! | 30th August 2016 at 3:06 pm
Hi Libby, as you say the habit is very easy to fall in to and awareness of the habit is the first step to making changes (if one wants to). I think we all need to determine what works for us and your plan sounds like a good one for many of us (although as you say, not necessarily for everyone). I’m not sure I have totally figured out a new plan but I do know I am drinking less than I was and I am happy about that.
Mystery Case | 25th August 2016 at 12:00 pm
I’ve recently started drinking again after a 15 year break. My pancreas doesn’t take too well to alcohol, so even now after a huge break, I need to drink in moderation. While I like the fact that I’m not always the designated driver and odd one out at events, I do think I prefer my water over wine.
Jan from Retiring Not Shy! | 25th August 2016 at 12:09 pm
Yes, I can totally relate to that even after such a short break. I am definitely much less inclined. No doubt I could rebuild my drinking muscles but why bother I ask myself. I’m sure I will always have a taste for French champagne though.
Kathy Marris | 23rd August 2016 at 9:53 am
Hi Jan and Rowan. I actually did Octsober a few years ago and yes I did feel better as a consequence of not having my nightly tipple. However it was a big challenge and I really missed that lovely relaxing feeling at the end of a busy day when I sit to relax with a wine in hand. I think that this is the most therapeutic thing about having a drink. I normally only have one or two glasses mixed with soda water so I don’t feel I’m overindulging at all. However I do think I’m very dependent on my nightly wine! I’m sure if I put my mind to it I could abstain again for a month.
Jan from Retiring Not Shy! | 23rd August 2016 at 12:38 pm
Hi Kathy, thanks for sharing. Interesting I hadn’t heard of Octsober and as that is my birthday month it might challenge me even more than dry July 🙂
It sounds like you have a lovely ritual rather than a problem and mixing with soda water is such a great idea.
Interestingly, I am finding I am now much fussier about what I drink and am tasting the alcohol more than I used to – the raw alcohol taste I mean. Not that we are cask wine drinkers but even bottled wine now needs to be pretty special for me to enjoy it. I am happy with the idea of quantity over quality. It will be interesting this weekend as we are going to Canberra for a Taste of Two Regions wine event.