A study published in the January 2015 issue of the American Journal of Drug and Alcohol Abuse found that regular aerobic exercise does curb alcohol dependence and cravings among those who are in the early stages of recovery. Whilst I appreciate a hefty majority of you won’t be identifying as in recovery, it’s still great news for anyone experiencing common cravings. Though exercise can have all sorts of stress-relieving benefits, it gets a bit of a bad reputation, lumped in as something only those who are already super fit can take part in. As someone who much prefers extra fries to exercise, here’s some tips on how to make some sober moves:
May 2022 |
7 minutes
Millie Gooch, founder of the Sober Girl Society, brings us some brilliant tips on tackling Sober Spring - the three-month sabbatical off alcohol.
A little goes a long way
I get it, many of us are busy and finding time to get down to the gym or go out for a run isn’t always realistic. If this is the case, try and incorporate exercise into your already well-established routine. Take the stairs instead of the lift, increase your pace of walking to work, stand on the train instead of sitting. My personal favourite is having a personal dance party whilst I make my morning coffee – feel free to steal.
Get outside
There are so many paybacks to getting out in the fresh air and with a clear head you can even take the time to root yourself in the present and admire the world around you. Nothing says hangover-free like a spring walk and a change of scenery can also be a helpful reset, particularly if you’re working from home and you need something to signal the end of the working day and the start of your evening that isn’t alcohol.
Take it slow
Exercise doesn’t need to be a fast-paced sweat-fest, you can actually use your exercise time to relax and recharge. Whether it’s yoga, Pilates or just a gentle walk, taking time out to connect to your body can be so helpful when it comes to kicking alcohol cravings to the curb.
