Sobriety Has Never Looked Better: How Sobriety Can Improve Self-Esteem

Let’s face it, too much alcohol can make even the most responsible person do some slightly questionable things. Whether you bust some less-than-stellar dance moves or said something that still makes you cringe to this day, being out of control is not fun for most–especially when everything can be recorded. So that one time you drank so much that you danced on the bar sans shirt? You may not be able to remember it in the morning, but everyone else will.

With that being said, if something like this happened only once, it’s probably not a big deal and can serve as a good laugh. However, repeated situations where you’re out of control can leave you feeling embarrassed, anxious, or upset when you finally learn what you did the day prior. It can also influence how your peers perceive you, although their conclusion may be completely inaccurate.

Self-Esteem and Alcohol

Research suggests that people with low self-esteem often turn to unhealthy vices like excessive drinking as a way to cope with the way they are feeling at the time. They use alcohol as a way to feel better and forget about their situation, even if it doesn’t last. The lack of faith they have in themselves and in life can make it easy to turn to alcohol to fix things.

However, alcohol often creates highs and lows. When you’re drinking and riding the effects, you feel great. But when the high is over, you feel horrible. Whether it comes in the form of a hangover or pessimistic thoughts about yourself or your life, things can get difficult as reality slowly sets back in.

This then creates a cycle of constantly drinking to feel good about yourself or your situation. It may be hard to have a positive view of your self-worth if you aren’t mentally and physically functioning the way that you should. To improve self-esteem, you first should try cutting back or cutting out alcohol. This can help you to stop the cycle and start your journey of self-love. Keep reading for some tips to have a dry month and improve self-esteem.

Tips to Stay Sober

Find Alternatives

If you’re tempted to drink, consider finding some alcohol-free alternatives to substitute for your favorite beverage. This way, you have something refreshing to drink without the negative effects. Non-alcoholic beers and wines are great for when you’re in social situations and want to have a fun time while staying healthy. When you’re not out, you can look up fun non-alcoholic recipes online to try in the comfort of your own home. You can tweak things to your liking until you find the perfect drink combination. Hold yourself accountable and stay dry this May.

Try New Hobbies

Consider trying new things that don’t involve drinking. Instead of going to a social event, try doing something like running or hiking. Healthy activities such as these are beneficial in many ways. They are great for your physical health since you're getting up and moving, but they’re also good for your mental health. Many people find running a great way to focus the mind and channel excess energy in a productive way. This is especially good for people who may be feeling antsy while being sober. Hiking, on the other hand, can be physically demanding but for most, it’s a calming activity that helps ease the mind and release stress. Other healthy hobbies include painting, cooking, swimming, and reading.

Seek Professional Help

Poor mental health is often one of the biggest reasons people turn to alcohol, and sometimes talking to a professional is exactly what you need. If you are someone who drinks because of low self-esteem, talking to an online psychiatrist can help you determine the root of the problem. Once you find the root of the issue, you can then start working with your doctor to figure out how to fix things. Going through the journey of confronting your fears is hard, but will you help lead the healthy life you deserve.  

Benefits of Staying Dry

Healthy Skin

You’ll look better overall! Alcohol can cause dehydration making your skin feel dry and irritated. Dryness of the face then leads to excessive oil production which can lead to acne. When you’re sober, your skin should start slowly gaining that moisture back. The less dry your skin is, the less prone to issues of pimples, irritation, and puffiness. Since your skin may take some time to bounce back, make sure your skincare routine is adjusted to your needs.

Healthy Body and Mind

Knowing your self-worth also means knowing that you deserve to be healthy and happy. Staying dry can help reduce your chances of getting many health-related diseases and conditions. According to the CDC, excessive alcohol use can lead to cancer, heart disease, stroke, and more. Staying dry and having good health should allow you time to focus on the positive things going on in your life. When you’re able to focus on the positive, your outlook shifts helping you to have a more optimistic view of life. This is crucial for your mental health and in turn, your physical health.

Healthy Weight

Aside from reducing your risk of life-threatening diseases like heart attack and cancer, alcohol can affect weight. It can contribute to bloat and turn into fat as alcohol contains a lot of calories and sugar. Additionally, putting down the drinks can help prevent binge eating that is often associated with alcohol consumption and promote healthy eating habits. Staying dry this May along with activities like exercising can help you get healthy while also looking and feeling great.

Being sober may seem hard at first, but you can do it. Even if you can’t cut out all drinks, cutting back is still great progress, so be proud of yourself! Staying dry doesn’t have to be well...dry. If you need some fun inspiration, check out some more of our articles here.