December 29th 2024.
Christine had always been a social drinker, ever since her college days. But as she grew older, drinking became a regular part of her life - from boozy lunches at work to relaxing with a glass of wine at home. She never considered it a problem, until one Christmas when she found herself drowning in cocktails and unable to stick to her New Year's resolution of cutting down on alcohol.
"I always told myself that my drinking was fine," Christine shared with Metro. "But the truth was, I wasn't really living a good life. I would make the decision to stay home and drink on my own, instead of spending quality time with the people I love."
It wasn't until she moved to Yorkshire and started a new career as a radiographer that Christine's drinking habits took a turn for the worse. The pandemic only made things worse, as she found herself drinking alone to cope with the stress and loneliness of lockdown. Even her 40th birthday was spent drinking alone at home, as she couldn't celebrate with friends due to government restrictions.
"As the year went on, I promised myself that I would moderate my drinking," Christine said. "But I was lying to myself. I would set ridiculous limits, like only drinking twice a week or not before 4pm, but I never stuck to them."
By the time her 41st birthday rolled around, Christine was fed up with herself. She felt puffy, her skin was blotchy, and she was constantly tired. She realized that her friends would plan their nights around her, knowing that she would be the life of the party. But for Christine, the party never ended - she would continue drinking all weekend while her friends went back to their families.
"It was a wake-up call for me," Christine admitted. "I knew I needed to make a change."
With the help of experts, Christine was able to take control of her drinking habits and live a healthier, happier life. She started by keeping a drinks diary for a month, which helped her understand her reasons for drinking and find healthier ways to cope with stress and boredom. She also designated specific days for drinking and made a conscious effort to stick to those limits.
"I've learned to find alternative rewards for stress," Christine shared. "Instead of reaching for a drink, I'll go for a walk or do some yoga. It's been a journey, but I'm grateful for the support and guidance I've received."
Christine's story is a reminder that it's never too late to make a change for the better. With determination and the right tools, anyone can break free from unhealthy habits and live a calmer, happier life.
Christine shares that this time of year is all about family, food, and drinking. It's a time when most of us are more likely to indulge in a glass of wine or a nightcap before bed. But for Christine, this was not always the case. She used to live a life filled with alcohol, until one Christmas changed everything for her.
She admits that she had been making excuses for her drinking for a long time. In college, she drank more, but she thought it was normal because everyone else was doing it. When she got a job in the finance industry, boozy lunches were the norm and she didn't think twice about it. She enjoyed a glass of wine and thought champagne added to any occasion. Even after moving to Yorkshire and retraining as a radiographer, she still didn't think her drinking was a problem.
But then the pandemic hit, and everything changed once again. Working in a stressful environment and living alone, Christine found herself turning to alcohol to numb the loneliness and stress. As the rules of normality were thrown out the window, she started drinking more and more, even celebrating her 40th birthday in lockdown with a bottle of champagne at 8:30 in the morning. She convinced herself that it was fine, just like she always had.
But as the pandemic restrictions eased, Christine's drinking did not. She promised herself she would moderate and only drink twice a week, but she was lying to herself. It wasn't until her 41st birthday that she realized how much her friends associated her with heavy drinking and she felt embarrassed and annoyed by the alcohol gifts she received.
It was a wake-up call for Christine, who realized that her friends planned their nights around her and her heavy drinking. She was tired of feeling puffy, sluggish, and lonely. She knew she needed to make a change. So, at Christmas 2021, she had her last drink and made a New Year's resolution to quit drinking for good.
Now, Christine is living a calmer, happier life. She no longer uses alcohol as an escape or a way to cope with negative emotions. Instead, she has found healthier ways to deal with stress and boredom. She keeps a drinks diary to track her progress and has designated drinking days to keep her drinking in check. She also finds alternative rewards for stress, such as going for a walk instead of reaching for a bottle of wine.
Christine's story is a reminder that it's never too late to make a change and live a better life. And if you're struggling with alcohol, there are expert-approved ways to cut down and find healthier coping mechanisms. Keeping a drinks diary and having designated drinking days can help, as well as finding alternative rewards for stress. It's all about finding what works best for you and sticking to it.
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