Tips for drinking less

So, you’ve been thinking about taking a break from alcohol? Cutting back on the amount of alcohol you drink can benefit your health in many ways.

Not only will drinking less reduce your cancer risk for some cancers—particularly those of the mouth, pharynx, larynx, oesophagus, breast and bowel—but it will improve your mood, decrease anxiety, increase your energy levels, improve your sleep and help you maintain a healthy weight.

Whether you’re planning to take on the challenge to go alcohol-free in July or you just want to reduce your drinking altogether to improve your health, here are 6 tips to help you out.

Keep non-alcoholic options at home

Stock your fridge and pantry with tasty non-alcohol drink options such as flavoured teas, sparkling water with fruit and other non-alcoholic drinks.

If you’re feeling creative, you can also experiment with some fun and tasty mocktails. When creating mocktails, be cautious of mixers as they can often be high in sugar and calories. Try our Berry Spritz Mocktail recipe for a delicious and healthy option.

Organise social catch ups that don’t centre around alcohol

Find social alternatives that don’t involve alcohol. Instead of catching up with mates at the pub, pick a location where alcohol isn’t easily available such as a café for a morning coffee, the beach or the movies.

Set yourself a drink limit and count your drinks

Try to limit alcohol to special occasions and if you do drink, set yourself a maximum number of drinks and stick to it. If you are buying drinks to take home or to a friend’s place, only purchase the amount you plan to drink.

Remember, Australia’s alcohol guidelines recommend we limit our intake to no more than 10 standard drinks per week, and no more than four standard drinks on any one day.

Plan alcohol-free days each week

Having a few alcohol-free days each week will help you stay healthy and break any bad habits, such as reaching for a drink each day after work.

Alternate alcoholic drinks with water

Stay hydrated and drink water to quench your thirst, instead of reaching for another alcoholic drink. A good habit to get into is alternating alcoholic drinks with a non-alcoholic drink like water.

Sign up for Dry July

If you’ve been thinking about taking a break from alcohol, Dry July is the perfect opportunity to give your body a much-needed break, all while raising funds for people impacted by cancer.

By going alcohol-free in July and fundraising on behalf of Cancer Council, you’ll help us continue to provide our vital Cancer Council 13 11 20 Information and Support service for all Australians impacted by cancer.

Sign up for Dry July today at dryjuly.com/cancercouncil