Sober Curious? Consider These 10 Ways to Embrace Mindful Sobriety

Sober curious? Interested in a mindful drink? Or ready to be booze-free? Whatever your choice, you’re in luck because sobriety is more socially acceptable than ever before.

By now, most everyone is aware of the importance of wellness – mental health, emotional health, and physical health – which are all positively impacted by sobriety as much as they are negatively impacted by drinking.

What does this mean for anyone considering cutting back or eliminating alcohol entirely?

If you are feeling inclined to pass on drinking the next time it’s offered, expect a greater level of understanding and acceptance.

When you stay true to yourself and your best interests, you inspire and give others permission to do the same!
 

Living a Sober Curious or Substance-Free Lifestyle

Prior to the pandemic, many mindful imbibers started to adopt the concept of moderation.

As alcohol-free spirits lined the market and early morning sober dance parties sprung up around the world, Gen Xers, Millennials and Gen Z party goers began to embrace their sober curiosity.

Once lockdown hit, social activities came to a full stop and inspired more people to take pause on their habits. While some may have overindulged, many chose to stay away from the bottle.
 

A sober lifestyle has several benefits and leads to a healthier, more balanced existence.

 
According to a report from Berenberg Research featured in Business Insider, Gen Z teens and early 20 year old respondents “[drink] 20% less per capita than millennials did at the same age.”

Furthermore, “64% of Gen Z respondents said they expected to drink alcohol less frequently when they grew older than today’s older generations do.”

A substance-free lifestyle has several benefits: improved mood, slimmer waistlines and more money in the bank in addition to a healthier existence and a more balanced way of life.

Practice These 9 Feel-Good Yoga Poses to Elevate Your Mood
 

Here’s a List of Creative Ways to Live a Socially Sober Life:

If you’re ready to take on a new wellness challenge and get socially sober at any point in your life, check the list below for a few simple and creative ways to get started:
 

• Host a Sober Curious Mixer! Offer a variety of options or invite your friends to contribute
• Create a festive mocktail. Use an original cocktail recipe as inspiration and take it for a spin
• Invite your friends out for fun sans booze. Take a hike, practice yoga or enjoy a sober meal together
• Join a Support Group. AA is widely available or search for a local or online support group or therapist. A Facebook group titled Slaying Sobriety is a group of 10K+ women ready to take back their power from alcohol
• Opt for non-alcoholic drink options while you’re out. Don’t see anything listed? Ask your waiter or bartender to mix something special for you! And be sure to tip accordingly
• Connect with a sober friend! Ask them about their experience and share your insights!
• Infuse your water with fun fruits and veggies. Lemons, limes and cucumbers are likely the most popular choices. Cranberries and grapefruit are wonderful options too!
• Attend an early morning dance party! Daybreaker has some of the most epic events around
• Gather a group of friends and plan a sobriety challenge together. Dry January anyone?
• Check in with yourself and simply say no! It will likely be much easier than you think

The Takeaway on Sobriety and Being Sober Curious

Ultimately, you want to feel empowered to make choices in alignment with your goals and what your body needs in each and every moment. Let go of the expectation you need a drink in your hand to have a good time. Take your power back!

The (Science-Backed) Power of Yoga in Addiction Recovery

As a mindful imbiber myself, I’ve experimented with it all: conscious cleanses, numerous dry months and I even completed a #sobersummer challenge this year.

As I have begun to outgrow the overly indulgent younger me, I continued to seek a more vibrant version of my Super Self and I owe a lot of that progress to the yoga practice.
 

When you stay true to yourself and your best interests, you inspire and give others permission to do the same!

 
The Buddhist teaching of The Middle Path has to be one of the most impactful lessons I’ve learned through Yoga. The Middle Path refers to the avoidance of abstinence and indulgence. The Buddha teaches us it doesn’t have to be one way or the other but everything in balance.

If you are suffering from alcoholism, you have resources available to you to help. SAMHSA (Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration) offers a National Helpline that is a free, confidential, 24/7 treatment referral and information service.

You can also reach out to Alcoholics Anonymous for faith-based and community support. If a loved one is suffering from alcoholism, consider joining a local or virtual Al-Anon group for help for families and friends of alcoholics.

All included information is not intended to treat or diagnose. The views expressed are those of the author and should be attributed solely to the author. For medical questions, please consult your healthcare provider.