If you prefer a more bubbly taste, sparkling water is a great alternative to alcohol. Topo Chico is a popular brand of sparkling mineral water but there are also plenty of other options that boast a variety of flavors and sugarless or calorie-free options. Unfortunately, some flavored sparkling waters do carry extra sugar or calories, so if that’s a concern for you, you may want to stick to plain carbonated water. You can get it in most places and it’s more flavorful and exciting than plain old water.

A little fresh air and the enjoyment of being in the moment on your alcohol-free challenge might just be all you need. Learning to cook good food isn’t always easy, but if you take on the challenge to master just a few new recipes, it could make all the difference to how you eat as a family and will be a lot of fun too. Once you’ve cleared all the clutter, you could try redecorating your home to celebrate the new alcohol-free you.

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One of the easiest things you can do to feel calmer right now is to sit down for a moment, clear your mind, and begin counting your breaths. Meditation has been found to reduce anxiety, and a long-term practice may even lead to permanent stress reduction. In one study, mindfulness-based therapy proved as effective as antidepressants in relieving symptoms of depression. Just one 30-minute massage session can reduce stress hormones, lower heart rate, and curb high blood pressure. For those who do not want an alcohol-free alternative or do not want the association with alcohol, there are other options as well. We’ll look at some of the trendiest, tasteful, and health-conscious options below.

Americans are highly stressed about the 2020 election, and 80% of voters believe “things are out of control” in the U.S. CBD Chill Shots contain 20 mg of broad-spectrum CBD along with 200 mg of L-theanine and vitamin B6, magnesium, and zinc to help relax your mind and body. “This tonic is made with ashwagandha-an ingredient that helps people adapt to stress in a natural way, and this blend of ingredients helps people get their chill on while avoiding booze,” says Manaker. “Found Bubbly is a natural bubbly water with natural minerals,” says Manaker. “It comes in a beautiful glass bottle and has just enough sparkle to emulate the feeling of sipping on a nice glass of champagne.”

The No-Hangover Outliyr “Cocktails” That Feel Better Than Alcohol

If Wine Wednesdays… Thursdays… Fridays… are your thing, you can still indulge thanks to Fre alcohol-removed wines. Enjoy it on its own or use it to make any of your favorite prosecco cocktails — or mocktails, in this case. According to online reviews, St. Regis nosecco is the perfect prosecco alternative if you want or need to go sans alcohol. Just because you’ve volunteered to be DD or would rather not have to crawl home from the bar doesn’t mean you need to sip on soda for the night. Research shows that taking music lessons might even improve mental health, promote cognitive function, and foster connections with others. Many Kombucha enthusiasts and manufacturers praise its probiotic and antioxidant properties.

• Kava is most often consumed as a beverage, and kava bars have popped up in many U.S. cities.
• If you pick up the nosecco we just mentioned, then you’ve got to try a virgin rose-ecco.
• He also recommended keeping track of visible benefits of each drink people consume, cutting out those that may be detrimental or do not provide any added value.
• Also, the ‘willpower method’ assumes drinking alcohol is awesome, an assumption Carr rejects outright.

As a side note, for the home brewer who wants to stop drinking, here’s your answer. Kombucha is made through a complicated fermentation process that many hobbyists take up at home. Just make sure you read up on the right process and do it safely and correctly. Scott Hocker is an award-winning freelance writer and editor at The Week Digital. He has written food, travel, culture and lifestyle stories for local, national and international publications for more than 20 years.

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Elevated stress levels create an increased desire to drink, particularly in regular drinkers. Hence, alcohol, stress, and anxiety can form a vicious cycle that is hard to break. It’s perfectly normal if you turn to a glass of wine to relax after a long day though, research from an ICM poll shows that two in three of us do it.

It can be as elaborate as you’d like—just put on your favorite playlist and enjoy doing something tactile with the person you love. It makes everyday local errands much more fun and fruitful, plus it’ll cut down on your gas usage. Instead of sipping on a boozy beverage while you watch your favorite show, give them a new life by darning them. You can make your own shrub by boiling the fruit of your choosing with distilled water and either lemon juice or vinegar. Chateau de Fleur is a well-reviewed option with zero alcohol.

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In my experience, various drinks work better or worse than others when it comes to replacing alcohol. Below are some of the drinks I’ve tried instead of alcohol, and a few of my reflections on their efficacy. One of the (many) weird things about getting sober was the https://ecosoberhouse.com/ fact that I no longer physically had a drink with me all evening. It felt incredibly strange not to have a beer in my hand or at arms reach. It constantly felt like something was physically missing. Check out LiveLighter for these and other healthy drink options.

If you find yourself reaching for these all the time, consider subscribing to their cocktail-of-the-month club. Since alcohol has such a strong social trigger, build social habits that don’t require it. This could mean having game nights instead of going out to the club or taking a cooler of kombucha when you go out fishing with your buddies. If you go out to a bar, just ask the bartender for your favorite cocktail “virgin.” At home, you can still get creative and have fun making your own mocktails. You might want to have some alcohol-free gin on hand for toasts and traditional cocktails. For example, if your family always goes for gin and tonics after a dinner, now you can participate.

Here is a resource for our Los Angeles friends, but here is a handy guide to planning a cleanup no matter where you’re at. Bitters aren’t for everyone, including pregnant folks and children, because of the alcohol content. You only need a dash to enhance a drink, but even a small amount still contains a bit of alcohol.

• These drinks make interesting conversation pieces, and some swear by them.
• Research has shown volunteering has yielded mental health benefits by improving access to social and psychological resources.
• Kava is proven to elevate mood and feelings of well-being, meaning it can serve a similar anti-anxiety function as alcohol.
• This is sifted and whisked with a specialist tool with hot water to make the beverage.

Our emotional and physical health needs change day to day and over longer periods of time. Did you know that taking time to what to drink instead of alcohol participate in festive activities can be good for you? Here, experts weigh in on how to turn holiday traditions into …