After a long summer of late evening barbecues and extra glasses of wine, everyday alcohol habits can be hard to break.
For many, the urge to drink arises in specific situations, such as when the workday ends or while preparing dinner.
However, a new study from the Karolinska Institute shows, according to Dagens Nyheter, that physical activity can be an effective tool for cutting back.
Try this instead
Researchers investigated the effects of exercise in adults with unhealthy alcohol consumption.
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Participants were divided into groups that practiced cardio training, practiced yoga, or received standard healthcare treatment.
The results showed that both cardio and yoga reduced alcohol intake just as effectively as standard care.
Furthermore, the researchers observed that exercise could directly dampen the acute urge for a drink. A practical approach is therefore to schedule a walk or a bike ride at the exact time the desire for alcohol usually hits.
Set clear limits
According to News 55, experts emphasize that structure and planning are crucial if you want to break summer patterns.
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It is recommended to set a specific maximum limit on the number of drinks per week and per occasion, as well as tracking actual consumption ongoingly.
Other advice includes drinking more slowly, choosing beverages with lower alcohol content, and identifying situations where you drink out of habit rather than desire.
Health authorities define high-risk drinking as ten standard drinks per week or four drinks on the same occasion once a month.
However, experts stress that there is no lower threshold for completely risk-free consumption, which is why making small daily adjustments is always beneficial.
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This article is made and published by Ida-Marie Palm Varbæk, who may have used AI in the preparation.