Isolation and the fact that many people are spending time alone due to the coronavirus pandemic is causing us to reach for alcohol more often. This is happening not only in Poland, but all over the world. Why have we resorted more often to drinking alcoholic beverages in recent months and how can we combat this problem?
Table of contents:
- Why do we reach for alcohol more often when sitting at home?
- How can we avoid a serious alcohol problem?
One of the first myths to emerge at the very beginning of the pandemic was that alcohol can have a beneficial effect and counteract COVID-19. This is clearly not true, as the consumption of alcohol, regardless of the quantity, reduces our immunity. It is also very bad for our respiratory system. Alcohol consumption therefore increases the risk of contracting coronavirus.
Why do we reach for alcohol more often when sitting at home?
Many people are aware of the dangers of drinking alcohol, but isolation makes us reach for it more often. Working from home makes it easier to reach for alcohol because we don't have to get up early the next day and drive to work. However, this is not the only reason why we reach for a glass more often. The whole viral situation, also the loss of a job, the death or illness of a loved one and the thought that nothing will ever be the same as it used to be, make the last few months stressful for many people and alcohol consumption calms them down. Such thinking, however, can lead to serious consequences, even if one has never had a drinking problem before.
How can you avoid a serious drinking problem?
The best solution to avoid a serious alcohol problem is to avoid drinking altogether, but the following recommendations can reduce the risk of addiction.
1) Look for new relaxation techniques
The highest levels of cortisol, or the stress hormone, occur in the early morning just after waking up, preparing you for the challenges ahead. However, it can also cause a spike in anxiety in the morning. When you wake up, notice if you are holding unnecessary tension in your body. Try to greet the day with calmness.
When you go to bed in the evening, take 10 slow, cleansing breaths to release the stress and activity of the day.
2) Be honest with yourself and open to others
Admitting to yourself that you have a problem with alcohol can be very difficult, let alone to another person. However, try to talk to someone about it. Be honest with yourself about your drinking status and realise whether your drinking is going in the wrong direction.
3) Don't drink alone or with heavy drinkers
It can be difficult to avoid drinking alone at the moment if you live alone. So organise virtual drinking get-togethers. Just watch out for your drinking partners, who can strongly influence your level of consumption. Avoid those who drink heavily and look for relationships that value more than the quantity of alcohol consumed, if only the quality of the conversations undertaken.
Alcohol consumption, photo: shutterstock
4) Keep the important parts of your life
Take care of work responsibilities, relationships with others. Undertake recreational activities unrelated to alcohol. If alcohol comes first, you may fall into a hole that will be difficult to dig yourself out of once the crisis has passed.
5) Drink less during the week
The more often you repeat a behaviour, the more automatic it becomes. Try not to consume alcohol on a daily basis, as you did before the pandemic. If you work from home, see it as luck in these difficult times, not as an opportunity to reach for alcohol more often.
Many psychologists and psychiatrists offer online appointments. So if you feel that alcohol has already become an important part of your life and you cannot live without it, consult a specialist now.